Costly chaos

Hundreds of Northern New York jobs have been put on the line by the childish behavior of New York's 62 state senators who cannot rise above their pettiness and party politics to act in the interests of all New Yorkers.

Ever since the June 8 coup by Republicans threw the Senate into turmoil, the senators in their arrogant pursuit of power have disregarded warnings of impending fiscal and financial crises due to the gridlock. Chaos reigns. New Yorkers don't know from one moment to the next who is in charge, if anyone. As dysfunctional as the chamber was prior to the purported GOP takeover, it has sunk even lower in the past month.

Forced by Gov. David A. Paterson to convene, Republicans and Democrats have conducted their own rump sessions. Responsible leadership is lacking. No senator is beyond reproach for their shameful failure to address vital state needs.

Dignity and decorum have been lost. Instead of rational debate and civil conduct, the chamber has degenerated into a circus where senators quarrel over proper conduct during the Pledge of Allegiance, lock the chamber doors, turn out the lights, and a senator passing through the chamber is twisted by Democrats into a vote to enact their agenda. And the senators still expect to be paid for their antics that are costing New Yorkers money and maybe jobs.

The New York Power Authority has suspended its Power for Jobs program that provides low-cost power to 570 customers, among them 16 north country businesses and universities that employ more than 5,000 people. The program expired June 30 without legislative action reauthorizing it. Democrats claim they did so. Yet in the confusion that reigns in Albany, no one can say with any certainly whether any legislation passed is really valid.

Faced with possibly paying millions of dollars more in higher electricity costs, the hospitals, universities and other businesses may have make cuts or lay off workers, which will worsen the struggling north country economy already suffering from the loss of hundreds of high-paying manufacturing jobs.

The Senate is in shambles. It is a disgrace to New York and every senator who should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this foolishness to continue.