Sometimes it is best to wait until the smoke clears from the field of political battle to weigh in. As Tuesday night unfolded here in New York, it instantly became apparent that the prevailing winds brought a shroud of uncertainty that is not likely to clear for a few weeks.
At this moment, the State Senate stands at a 31-30 Democrat advantage with two races to be decided. Regardless of how those two races turn out, the Albany that was functioning at a higher level will change.
Will there be a coalition majority? Will the Governor continue on his path to revitalizing New York’s economy? Will there be a more progressive/labor-centric agenda?
Those are just three of the dozens of questions that I and other observers of Albany have today.
To get anything done in New York takes bipartisan support. The Assembly Majority is and will presumably always remain Democrat controlled. The Senate Republicans always provided an essential counter-balance. Without that buffer, all bets are off.
As I look forward to continuing to work on (and hoping) the Governor’s business priorities will remain in play, it will take the left and right to work together to help small business owners and taxpayers get out from under the numerous barriers that they face.
The coming weeks will see the leadership debate come to resolution and the Governor will set his 2013 agenda. Undoubtedly storm recovery will be a big piece of this, but with that lies opportunity. A chance. To come together as New Yorker’s and understand that serious fiscal issues are out there. Serious business issues remain. I will work with both parties to sensibly address all of them. Will they work with the business community? Or will we see a return to the chaos of 2009-2010?
Too many questions..too few answers.
