Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan scuttled plans for a much-rumored special session in Albany next week. Flanagan said in a statement that “there just isn’t enough in this package to justify convening a special session and bringing 213 legislators back to Albany before the end of the year.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo tried to lure lawmakers back to Albany for a special session to pass a smorgasbord of legislation ranging from authorizing Uber in upstate NY, ethics reform, public financing for judicial races, a special prosecutor for SUNY procurement, SUNY/CUNY inspectors general, 421a tax credit for developers, and releasing supportive housing aid for the homeless. Flanagan’s rebuff can be seen as a slap in the face to the governor who seemed desperate to give the appearance of doing the people’s business. In recent weeks, several Cuomo associates and donors were indicted by federal prosecutors on pay-to-play kickback schemes and other corruption charges.“As Senate Majority Leader, I believe that the public deserves a Legislature that listens and is responsive to its concerns. While I believe many of the issues we have discussed have merit, some of the specific provisions have raised concerns that warrant further deliberation. We look forward to continuing those discussions when the Legislature is scheduled to return in January,” said Leader John Flanagan in a statement emailed late Friday night.
Local lawmakers can rest and relax with family members this holiday season. State lawmakers will continue to earn an annual salary of $79,500. Their last pay raise was in 1999. It seems that Parkchester Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda must have known that the special session would come to naught as he is visiting Hiroshima, Japan this holiday. Merikurisumasu
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