Panel Discussion, October 27, 2009, on Needed Reforms in Albany
We had a great panel on how to reform the State Legislature at NYU Law
School last night. With approximately 150 people in attendance, E.J.
McMahon (Empire Center), Susan Lerner (Common Cause NY), Senator
Squadron and Assemblyman Jeffries each identified the one reform they
would most like to see enacted to make significant change in the
legislature (there was no dispute that significant change was needed).
E.J. McMahon had what was perhaps the most provocative suggestion:
turning the legislature into a "Citizen's Legislature," where the
number of legislators was increased, the legislative calendar shortened
to 30 days, and the position of Senator and Assemblyman turned into a
part-time job. The three other panelists objected to this idea, citing
the complexity of issues facing the legislature and arguing it would
make the legislature even less effective than it is now.
Susan Lerner argued for reform to the committee process: less
committees, more hearings, mark-ups and debate on bills. These are
things we see in every other state legislature, and all four panelists
agreed this reform was needed in New York.
Senator Squadron argued that we needed real campaign finance reform
in New York, with lower contribution limits and public financing. Susan
Lerner agreed, stating that campaign finance reform was the reform
necessary for all other reforms, and noting that too often legislators
feel they must respond to lobbyists first. E.J. McMahon was the only
contrarian on campaign finance reform, arguing that if anything, we
should further deregulate New York's system (it's hard for me to
imagine how it could be much more deregulated).
Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries argued for an end to the current
process for Special Elections, whereby party bosses essentially choose
the replacement for legislators who must leave office in the middle of
their terms for reasons like criminal indictment. He noted that
approximately 1/3 of the legislature has been chosen through this
special election process. He and Senator Squadron have introduced a
bill to tackle this issue.
We had an extremely engaged audience, with questions about
redistricting reform, constitutional convention, elimination of member
items and whether it made sense to turn the legislature into a
unicameral body.
While there was general agreement that things were pretty bad in
Albany right now, the panelists also seemed to agree that the public
disgust with Albany presented an opportunity for some significant
changes.