The Daily Politics: At Long Last, A Deal? (Updated x2)

The Daily Politics: At Long Last, A Deal? (Updated x2)

Sort of a deal on congestion pricing between the three men in the room will probably not make the mayor very happy.

Albany Leaders Near Deal on a Budget - New York Times

Albany Leaders Near Deal on a Budget - New York Times

According to my sources, Spitzer's budget opposition (1199 SEIU) have halted their statewide operation. It looks like Spitzer has come to a compromise, State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno realized the budget had to be cut somewhere, Speaker Silver was already pushing for a middle ground. The budget cuts to healthcare will affect 96, 000 healthcare workers compared to the 300,000 as originally feared.

Spitzer Eases Up on Tough Talk of a Shutdown - March 27, 2007 - The New York Sun

Spitzer Eases Up on Tough Talk of a Shutdown - March 27, 2007 - The New York Sun

Coming to his senses a little bit Governor Spitzer turns down the steamroller rhetoric, admits the possibility there can be compromise from his plan of take nearly all the money from healthcare and give it to middleclass property cuts and suburban schools, and Senator Joe Bruno's plan giving away the store as if money grows on trees. In my honest estimation I do believe closing the government would play very well in the press for more than 2-3 days. The NY GOP needs some issue to make Spitzer look like the bad guy and the healthcare workers getting screwed by the Governor's budget would be able to mobilize school districts that depend on the budget being on time to form their budget that goes to people to be voted on in late May. When everyone is trapped in their own hyperbole of how horrible the other side is problems never can get solved and Spitzer being the most visable face he will get most of the blame. Joe Bruno and Speaker Silver will never win a popularity contest statewide but they do not need to, they only need half their conference (in the Senate and Assembly repectively).

New York Politics Capitol Confidential : Albany Times Union : timesunion.com : Capitol confidential » DiNapoli Responds

New York Politics Capitol Confidential : Albany Times Union : timesunion.com : Capitol confidential » DiNapoli Responds

So DiNapoli is going to be the new Comptroller, this is a sign of how much control Silver has over that actual workings of the state. Spitzer wants to be seen as the steamroller but he just got rolled, as DiNapoli was not on Spitzer's committee search list, and DiNapoli came from silver's democratic conference without any discernible financial background or competency other than keeping his personal checkbook balance.