Spitzer Time

So, the outdoor inauguration is about to begin and most of New York's political dignitaries have filed into a large circular stage area behind the capitol, where they're waiting for Eliot Spitzer. It's standing-room only up front and things have an appropriately chaotic feel.

Meanwhile, there are a number of other indications today that the new governor is off to a fast start. His name has already replaced George Pataki's on the "under-contuction" signs outside the capitol. And he is up and running on the governor's website, where he has detailed the executive orders he plans to sign later today.

One interesting line, given the circumstances under which he's taking office, lays out rules for using state property:

"Individuals who are authorized by their agency or public authority to use a vehicle for personal purposes shall keep records of such use, and the value of such personal use shall be calculated and reported as personal income..."

The other brand new executive orders are here.

-- Azi Paybarah