NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver - Worthless Political Hack
Tue Apr 08, 2008 at 12:16:38 PM PDT
The New York Times today said Democrat Sheldon Silver was "unworthy of his office" because he failed to push through the NY State Assembly congestion-based pricing plans which were supported by the mayor as well as the federal government.
The New York Times is correct - Silver is THE symbol of everything wrong with NY State Government and in particular the legislative process in Albany. We in the Netroots have a long and storied history of challenging entrenched politicians when they're become out-of-touch and continually vote against their constituents concerns. This year Sheldon Silver is facing a viable challenger in Paul Newell. He deserves our contributions and support in his challenge to one of the most entrenched symbols of Albany's inability to get anything done - Sheldon Silver.
When you read about Sheldon Silver these are some of the quotes that pop up the most often:
A survivor of the old Democratic clubhouse
...the speaker is a throwback to the clubhouse era: secretive, insular and too close to the powerful interests that sustain his majority.
...a cautious defender of the status quo, more inclined to block other people’s proposals than to enact his own, more interested in winning good deals than making good policy.
You get the idea. Silver is cautious and a throwback to the smoke-filled room days of the Democratic party machine. He routinely arranges the defeat of bills on which he has spoken little and then offers no explanation of why he voted the way he did in the first place.
The most recent example of this was congestion-based pricing in Manhattan. Silver represents the lower east side of Manhattan as well as Tribeca, the financial district (including Ground Zero) and parts of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. His district is heavily dependent on public transportation because surface traffic is so heavy along with its attendant ills like air, water and soil pollution. The bill as proposed and supported by NY Mayor Bloomberg wasn't perfect but it was better than it was when it was proposed.
As the New York Times said today:
It is not just the federal grant that Mr. Silver has taken from New Yorkers. Without congestion pricing, mass transit won’t have the nearly $500 million that would have been raised annually by charging most cars $8 and trucks $21 to enter Midtown and Lower Manhattan during the busiest hours on weekdays. That money would have helped bring public transportation, including express buses and ferries, to commuters who have few options for getting into Manhattan.
But do we know how many Assembly members opposed the bill or exactly why or even why Silver opposed the bill? No. Because, again:
Backed by his Democratic conference, the speaker killed congestion pricing in the most cowardly way: without even holding a vote. Mr. Silver said so many members of his own conference were against the plan that it would never pass. How many? Who knows? The speaker hid behind closed doors to keep the public from watching his cronies do the deed.
This is just the latest and greatest example of Silver killing something that would have actually benefited his district. He's now been in office for more than 30 years so his record is rich with examples of Silver standing against the needs of his constituents in favor of demands from special interests:
In 1999, Silver was instrumental in the repeal of New York City's commuter tax, which taxed non-resident workers similarly to city residents. This was a great benefit to those commuting to work in the city from surrounding areas, but came at a tremendous cost to his own NYC constituents. Silver was criticized by city leaders for removing the tax, and though after 9/11 he has suggested he would support reinstating it, he has taken no steps to do so.
Let's restate that: in 1999 Silver voted to repeal a tax which his own constituents didn't pay, thusly causing a huge budget deficit for the City of New York and resulting in a 20% property tax increase for NY residents - ensuring the tax burden was increased for those in his district. Does this sound like a representative who considers himself beholden to the people?
No? That's because he's not, he's beholden to his contributors and his employer, a large litigation firm with the State of New York:
Silver has taken major contributions from the Dolan family, owners of Cablevision, the Knicks, the Rangers, and Madison Square Garden, and then personally brought a stop to the development of the West Side Stadium for the Jets, which Cablevision strongly opposed because it would pull revenue from Madison Square Garden.
Silver has long been criticized for his employment with Weitz & Luxenberg, one of the state's larger litigation firms. This has led some to accuse Silver of having a conflict of interest, as he has consistently blocked medical malpractice and other tort reform in Albany. Weitz & Luxenberg insists that Silver's ties with the firm are "negligible" but Silver has refused to disclose the details of his employment or the salary he receives from the law firm. [11]
Sheldon Silver can't even be bothered to vote "Aye" on the Sexual Orientation Non-discrimination Act which has been floating around NY state government for over 30 years!
Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act
The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act adds actual or perceived sexual orientation to the state's existing laws which prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability or marital status.
Pride Agenda's Position: SUPPORT
Sheldon Silver's Position: NO VOTE
He represents an urban district, heavily trafficked and multi-ethnic and his votes read like he represents an all-white upstate district dominated by the elderly and Republicans.
Fortunately those in Sheldon Silver's district now have a choice in the upcoming primary and Silver knows it. He's recently began polling mentioning Paul Newell's name. And after this most recent vote he may have more reason than ever to worry.
Paul Newell is a progressive voice for New York City:
Paul Newell has fought for over a decade for progressive values. Whether working to elect progressive leaders, preserve Yiddish culture or bring needed services to children orphaned by AIDS, Paul has always believed in working together to achieve real change.
Sheldon Silver is a blot on the Democratic party and represents everything wrong with the Assembly in Albany. Time and time again he's put the needs of the powerful above those of the weak and defenseless in his district. He's the ultimate symbol of the worthless, entrenched incumbent who feels he answers to no one. But he does, he answers to the voters of his district and this primary they'll have a choice.
Please, consider a small donation to show Sheldon Silver that he should be aware the days of uncontested primaries are over. Silver's political days are numbered and both the city and state of New York will be far better off without him.
Contribute to Paul Newell.
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