Corruption continues to cast a dark shadow over Albany. While lawmakers and the governor are hoping to have a productive end of their legislative session, federal investigations are making that difficult. Zack Fink filed the following report.
With roughly a month and a half remaining on the calendar, things have been anything but typical in Albany.
Normally in May, discussions get underway about what big pieces of legislation can get negotiated and passed before lawmakers leave the Capitol for the year. But this year has been different. This month, the former legislative leaders in both houses were sentenced to prison on federal corruption charges, and the governor's office reacently acknowledged that it, too, is under investigation by the U.S. attorney. That's made it tough to focus on much of anything.
"Will the second half be as rewarding to me as the first half with the great things in the great budget? I don't know. That's more for people to respond to," said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
Democrats were particularly happy about the state budget passed last month, which included an increase in the minimum wage and a paid family leave program. But leaders have greatly scaled down their wish lists for the rest of the session.
Currently on the table is ethics reform, a renewal of mayoral control of New York City schools, a renewal of a tax break for real estate developers known as 421-a, and something to address opiate and heroin abuse.
"We have a heroin epidemic in New York State. So I think we want to put together a robust plan to fight the epidemic. That's something I'm hopeful we will be able to accomplish before the end of the session," said Jeff Klein, the leader of the state Senate's Independent Democratic Conference.
Next week, Senate Republicans are holding a second hearing on mayoral control.
"While it is lofty to be aspirational about what is going to happen for the next generation, I'd like to know what is going on with this generation," said state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan. "Because the parents of those children? They don't want to see the template for the next group. They want to see what is happening to their children."
Perhaps the trickiest item for lawmakers to consider is 421-a. The relationships between real estate deevlopers and Albany politicians featured prominently in the trials of Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver last year. Lawmakers want to be very careful of an appearance that they are doing favors for real estate companies, many of whom have business before the state.