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saying the ban on all government elected officials might be too sweeping

What the...............

http://www.dailygazette.com

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CAPITOL
Metroplex bond cap deal reached Compromise will keep legislators off board
BY BOB CONNER Gazette Reporter

    A tentative deal was reached Wednesday to pass a bill raising the bonding authority of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority from $50 million to $75 million.
    Under the compromise between the Democrats who control the county Legislature and the Republican state legislators representing Schenectady County, county and state legislators would be barred from serving on the Metroplex board.
    The bill would also bar party chairpersons and county legislators and managers, with the exception of the county’s top economic development official, who is now Ray Gillen. Gillen is also chairman of the Metroplex board and would be able to keep that post under the current legislation.
    Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, chairwoman of the county Legislature, had proposed barring all elected officials from the board, which the Republicans said went too far. Bill Sherman, chief of staff to Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, said the ban on county and state legislators makes sense because they have power over the Metroplex Authority.
    Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, said the bill would have to be amended on the Senate floor to reflect the proposed change. Tedisco would then introduce the same bill into the Assembly.
    Savage said the county Legislature would plan to pass a home rule message on Tuesday requesting the amended state legislation. At that point, the state Legislature could act on it, and all those involved said they hope that action will come before the June 23 scheduled end of the state legislative session.
    Gillen has said the increased bonding authority is needed so that Metroplex can keep funding economic development projects. When Metroplex was originally created 10 years ago, Farley had proposed that it have $100 million in bonding authority, but that number was halved in the course of negotiations with the Assembly.
    Savage met with the Republican legislators Wednesday morning and met that evening with members of her Democratic caucus in the county Legislature. The meeting was still going on after an hour and 40 minutes at 9:40 p.m., when Savage reported that a majority of her colleagues supported the deal and that she expects the home rule message to be passed by the county Legislature on Tuesday.
    This year’s legislation has had a tangled history in a short time period. Farley first introduced a bill at the request of the county Legislature raising the bonding authority to $75 million.
    Tedisco and Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, declined to sponsor that bill, suggesting a $60 million bond limit instead, along with requirements that Metroplex members have economic development expertise and that the county Legislature make appointments to the Metroplex board in a timely manner. Tedisco and Amedore also suggested delaying the legislation until the ongoing state comptroller’s audit of Metroplex is completed.
    Tedisco and Amedore dropped those conditions, but they and Farley came up with the amended bill barring political and other county officials from the board.

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Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, chairwoman of the county Legislature, had proposed barring all elected officials from the board, which the Republicans said went too far. Bill Sherman, chief of staff to Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, said the ban on county and state legislators makes sense because they have power over the Metroplex Authority.

The debate between the two major parties regarding the Metroplex bond cap increase is obviously not one about fiscal responsibility and accountability nor is it about the return on investment of public revenues.  It is not about the effectiveness of spending in excess of a hundred million dollars in creating permanent and high paying jobs for the people of Schenectady county.  It also is not about reforms that are needed to the Metroplex mission and operations.

Both the Republicans and Democrats are sparring over who will control the public authority.  I would have preferred Ms. Savage's positions that all elected officials be prohibited from serving on the Metroplex Board of Directors.  They should also be banned from accepting positions on the Metroplex staff.  The prohibition should be for a defined number of years after departing from the office that they hold.  This "compromise" will do nothing to eliminate politics from the operations and decisions of the Metroplex.  It will not cease the favors from being awarded to friends and campaign contributors.  It will not define the timeframe or the process for "sunsetting" the public authority.  The political "solution" will not address the decaying infrastructure in Schenectady county nor the need for enhancements to the infrastructure required to attract serious business to the county.

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Savage met with the Republican legislators Wednesday morning and met that evening with members of her Democratic caucus in the county Legislature. The meeting was still going on after an hour and 40 minutes at 9:40 p.m., when Savage reported that a majority of her colleagues supported the deal and that she expects the home rule message to be passed by the county Legislature on Tuesday.

Why did the Chair of the Legislature meet only with her Democratic caucus?  Is she not responsible for chairing the entire legislature which includes a few Republicans (of whom only two hold conservative ideals)?

The actions and intentions exhibited by our elected officials re: the legislation to increase the Metroplex bond cap by 50% and extend the charter of the public authority by 5 years while an audit is being conducted by the New York State Legislature for the first time since 1999 when the Metroplex was founded is irresponsible and are testament to their support for unaccountable and untransparent government.  Next election day, I intend to send them a clear message of my displeasure and a reminder that they work for the constituents who elect them.

I call for the disbanding of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority as it is now clear to me that the mission of the organization is more about political influence than it is about economic development.

I agree with you entirely on this issue Brad. This did not appear to be a compromise. It appears to be "fighting for control of this authority". Proposing and supporting this legislation was totally irresponsible on both party's part especially without the results of the state audit.

And yes, it is apparent that this is about political influence/power and not about economic development or what is in the best interest of the taxpayer.

It just goes to show that neither party really cares about the taxpayer only the control and power that they can gain from their political office.

Thank you rep's for supporting the taxpayers. NOT!!!

How they could even consider passing legislation that would allow more money and time to an authority that has failed miserably is a crime. And their decision will be shown in the voting booth!!!!!

Well now I totally admit to being extremely and utterly disappointed with Jimmy and George.

I thought the dog and pony show was going to be the democrat controlled State Comptrollers office's audit of Schenectady's democrat controlled Metroplex.  I was wrong, it was the staged performance by Republicans, acting as if they were taking a stand on behalf of their constituents.  Democrats acted as if they opposed the legislation written by the Republicans, with a few harsh words by Susan Savage in the Gazette.   What have we learned??  Both parties benefit politically from Metroplex, and are on the same side of the issue. I've never seen the two parties come together in a bi-partisan fashion, to rush through legislation before the end of this session, ahead of the completion of the state audit.  While acting as if they were on opposite sides of the issue. I'm sure the real concessions Republicans received in this mock meeting, were awarding more job contracts, 0% interest loans, grants, and Empire Zone tax breaks for there high dollar re-election campaign contributors via Metroplex Authority pojects.  Republicans received these concession while attempting to appease the little guy who pulls the lever for Republicans in November, by misdirecting them with wording in the legislation that claims they are getting politics out of Metroplex.(except for Ray Gillen of course)  Those people are the likes of many on this message board, who don't benefit financially from Metroplex, but contribute with every purchase made in Schenectady County, and lean to the right politically.  I think they can see right through.

The reps just can't seem to get it right. Everytime they open their mouth, they either stick their foot in it or shoot it off!!

Joe Suhrada(R) and Angelo Santabarbara(R) 'compromise' and propose a $10M increase. We thought that was bad enough.

Tedisco(R) and Amedore (R) 'compromise?' by giving them the $25M AND the 5 year extension. Basically giving them everything they wanted. Even worse!!!

it all backfired if they didn't stick to their guns and they didnt since they compormised and then Savage compromised and them Respublicants went and comprised AGAIN making a grand total of 2 compromises to Savages ONE COMPROMISE. They aren't very good negotiators are they? I take back my defense of all of all of them now, sorry Jimmy and George. Now lets see what they do next. Sickening to me is that Joe S and Angelo S stood up to some extent and get hung out there to dry by the higher ups. Now the democrats can say "look- extremists!" Oh brother!

All Tedisco had to say was 'no, until the state audit was completed'. But nope! Honest to God, these politicians go nuts when they see this amount of taxpayers money to be spent and given to their cronies! And won't the reps come out with egg on their face IF there are problems with the Metro-purse audit!!! And they would have it coming!

We better all start gearing up for the next election!!! We have some work to do.

I sure wish that the state would hurry up with the audit so we can find out how badly our tax money has been spent.

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I sure wish that the state would hurry up with the audit so we can find out how badly our tax money has been spent.

It was supposedly due at the end of May ... so "anytime now"

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Quoted from MobileTerminal:
It was supposedly due at the end of May ... so "anytime now"

You are correct that the planned completion date was late May.  However, I have learned that the results will be delayed.

When I initially spoke with Kenneth Madej of the State Comptroller's office last December/January, I was informed that audits generally require about 2 months to complete.  However, the time required can take up to 6 months or longer if something is identified that requires further investigation.  

I suspect that the rush by the politicians to pass, during this state legislative session, the Schenectady County Home Rule legislation that increases the bond cap and extends the charter of the public authority is due to expectations that the audit may identify issues of concern.