Brennan Center

With a number of Assembly members vying for the comptroller position, it's hard see how one is substantially more qualified than the others.

It's safe to say that from the point of view of the reform-minded governor, independence from the legislative leaders ranks high on the list of qualifications. One way that could have been demonstrated, apparently, was to buck the Assembly leadership two years ago by signing on to a resolution written by former Assemblyman Scott Stringer supporting some rules changes recommended by the Brennan Center.

That's what Joe Morelle of Monroe County did, and he was later rewarded with a letter of support from the Brennan Center folks Jeremy Creelan, a lawyer now in private practice but who earlier helped put together the Brennan Center's report.

The changes were designed to democratize the legislative process by empowering rank-and-file members and reduce the power of the Assembly Speaker. A risky move in the pre-Spitzer days.

The other most often-mentioned comptroller candidates - Richard Brodsky, Tom DiNapoli, and Pete Grannis - didn't sign on.

Update: Creelan was in private practive by the time he sent his letter in support of Morelle. The Brennan Center does not support any candidates.

-- Azi Paybarah

Even with former city and state comptrollers on a screening panel, some lawmakers still believe the next state comptroller will be one of the Assembly Democrats who are campaigning for the position. So far, the Assembly candidates include Joe Morelle, Richard Brodsky, Tom DiNapoli, Felix Ortiz, and Pete Grannis.

So how does an Assembly member separate himself from the other candidates?

One way, which could ingratiate himself with the new governor, is to show a track record of pushing for legislative reform.

One sign of that support for former Assemblyman Scott Stringer's resolution supporting rules changes recommended by the Brennan Center. Jeremy Creelan, formerly of the Brennan Center, already sent a letter saying Morelle was supportive of the Brennan Center's recommendations and therefore, demonstrated the kind of independence a comptroller needs.

It's also worth noting that the other comptroller candidates - Brodsky, DiNapoli, and Grannies - never signed onto it. Ortiz, who is considered a bit of a long shot. It's unclear how vocal any of them were on the issue, but a paper trail is a paper trail

-- Azi Paybarah

Even with former city and state comptrollers on a screening panel, some lawmakers still believe the next state comptroller will be one of the Assembly Democrats who are campaigning for the position. So far, the Assembly candidates include Joe Morelle, Richard Brodsky, Tom DiNapoli, Felix Ortiz, and Pete Grannis.

So how does an Assembly member separate himself from the other candidates?

One way, which could ingratiate himself with the new governor, is to show a track record of pushing for legislative reform.

One sign of that support for former Assemblyman Scott Stringer's resolution supporting rules changes recommended by the Brennan Center. Jeremy Creelan, formerly of the Brennan Center, already sent a letter saying Morelle was supportive of the Brennan Center's recommendations and therefore, demonstrated the kind of independence a comptroller needs.

It's also worth noting that the other comptroller candidates - Brodsky, DiNapoli, and Grannies - never signed onto it. Ortiz, who is considered a bit of a long shot. It's unclear how vocal any of them were on the issue, but a paper trail is a paper trail

-- Azi Paybarah

The Brennan Center wants John Bonacic to introduce an amendment that would relieve Joe Bruno of some of his power.

Doctors like Eliot Spitzer's plan to extend health insurance to more New Yorkers.

The Daily Gotham doesn't like the fact that Senate Republicans elected as their leader a guy under federal investigation.

Sheldon Silver's former aide-turned-lobbyist made another well-connected hire.

Eliot Spitzer is a work of art.

The Fix has a look at some poll numbers from early presidential battleground states.

Greg Sargent thinks Joe Lieberman's pronouncements on troop levels are fishy.

John McCain is putting in place more campaign staffers while Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney are interviewing.

And pictured above is Tom Suozzi, who praised Spitzer for bringing change to Albany.

-- Azi Paybarah

John Haggerty may have competition for the job of state GOP executive director.

The Brennan Center's blog says Albany needs elections that matter, not just term limits.

Eliot Spitzer's nominee to head the Port Authority wants to take a fresh look at Ground Zero and the Freedom Tower.

Alan Hevesi passed up the chance to speak to the Albany grand jury, with his lawyer continuing to say that he did nothing wrong.

Christine Quinn's 421-a plan could cost Bruce Ratner millions.

Political Wire says Barack Obama sounds like he's running.

Kos thinks Joe Liberman's call for more troops in Iraq contradicts what the senator said during the campaign.

Lou Dobbs, the new Ross Perot?

And above is an ad for civil unions.

-- Azi Paybarah

Eliot Spitzer's spokeswoman responds to the Brennan Center's report on the state legislature, which you can read over here [pdf].

Eliot has consistently called for greater reform, transparency and accountability in state government and there is clearly more work to be done. The Brennan Center report correctly notes that more progress towards reform has been made in the Assembly than in the Senate, and the assembly should be commended for their reform efforts. Both houses, however, still can do much more and as governor, Eliot hopes to work with them to implement his broad reform agenda.

How do you guys think the legislature is doing?

-- Azi Paybarah

We've just heard from Ken Diamondstone that Marty Connor will appeal the Supreme Court decision to allow Diamondstone to appear on the ballot in their race for State Senate, and that they will appear at the Brooklyn Appellate Courthouse tomorrow.

Diamondstone contends that Connor is attempting to further tie up his campaign resources with the challenge, which could run through August 23, and believes that Connor doesn't want to talk about the issues facing the district, calling him "mostly absent." And he said that the whole effort to elimiate him from the race was actually about...

Clarence Norman.

Read on for more comments from Diamondstone after the jump. And let us know what you think.  read more »

Nothing beats your turkey hangover like...a lively forum.

Next Monday, Nov. 28th, Gale Brewer, Bill Perkins, and other voices in the term-limits debate (see below) will tackle your questions, and each other, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the LGBT Community Services Center on 208 W. 13th Street.

Seriously, this panel should be excellent, and The Politicker hopes to be there barring deadline purgatory.

Here's the list of panelists: Councilmember Gale Brewer, sponsor of legislation to extend term-limits Councilmember Bill Perkins, critic of term limits Dick Dadey, Executive Director of Citizens Union Harry Kresky, Esq. Counsel to the NYS Independence Party Deborah Goldberg, Esq., Brennan Center for Justice  read more »

Moderator: Davidson Golden, NY1, Inside City Hall

The Post reported this morning on the departure of Freddy's press secretary, Juli-anne Whitney, whose hyphenated first name is the scourge of copy-editors everywhere.

Now add another name to the long list of ex-Ferrer '05ers: Scott Schell.  read more »

The campaign's policy director, formerly of the Brennan Center, was viewed as a catch when he came on board. He was also the numbers guy on the badly received stock transfer tax proposal, which we always thought was more solidly researched than most policy pitches this campaign season, and which Ferrer has continued to tout.

We're told the two departed for personal reasons.

Reform comes to New York in cycles, and this year was one of those moments when the status quo seeme  read more »