Ritchie in 48th
One-party government in Albany has failed New York the past two years.
The natural assumption might be that a single party controlling both legislative chambers and the governor's office ought to be able to work together for the betterment of the state and their constituents. That has not been the case with Democratic majorities in the Assembly and Senate and a Democratic governor.
Fractious Democrats could not agree on a spending plan that would close a $9 billion deficit. Weakened by an uncooperative Legislature, Gov. David A. Paterson resorted to hardball tactics to force through budgetary bills one at time toward a final $136 billion spending plan. He backed lawmakers into a corner until they had no choice but to react to salvage some of their legislative initiatives in a final budget that was four months overdue.
A legislative coup by Senate Republicans last year set the stage for more disarray when Democrats retook the chamber and put Sen. Pedro Espada, D-Bronx, in a leadership position. He was then under investigation for campaign finance practices and has since been accused in a civil suit of funneling millions of taxpayer dollars to himself and family members through a health clinic.
More recently, the entire Senate Democratic leadership was accused of favoritism and cronyism in a scathing inspector general's report on the selection of a casino operator at the Aqueduct Race Track. Even Gov. Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver were faulted.
Democratic Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, Cape Vincent, who represents the 48th District, has given voice to north country concerns. He had to break ranks with his party to protect north country interests as in blocking passage of the farmworkers bill that would impose higher costs on farmers. He fought to protect north country energy interests, but was pushed aside by his own party as chairman of the Senate Energy Committee.
It has been a struggle with a Senate and state government that have a definite downstate orientation. New York has been better served with Republicans in control of the Senate.
Election of Patricia A. Ritchie, the Republican candidate for the 48th District, can help restore that arrangement by moving the chamber a seat closer to GOP control. Mrs. Ritchie has been an energetic campaigner who has demonstrated her work ethic as St. Lawrence County clerk and found creative solutions to help finance her office. She is well aware of north country opposition to excessive fees and taxes and unfunded mandates as evidenced by her online petition against forcing New Yorkers to buy new license plates.
The Times endorses Mrs. Ritchie for the 48th Senate District.
