Crains New York - February 11, 2013 - (Page 10)

OPINION A working theory in Albany A ny serious observer of Albany would have had doubts about the unprecedented power-sharing agreement reached last fall between state Senate Republicans and the Independent Democratic Conference, a five-member breakaway caucus led by Bronx Sen. Jeff Klein. Cynics could certainly point to self-serving aspects of the deal: GOP leader Dean Skelos and his conference got to keep most of their power, despite the likelihood that Democrats would win a majority in the upper chamber. Meanwhile, Mr. Klein and his splinter group became key decision-makers in state government, despite holding just five of 63 Senate seats. There also were valid questions about how functional the Skelos-Klein arrangement would be. The two co-presidents resolved to rule over their chamber in alternating two-week stints—a potential TV sitcom concept—and both men must agree to move bills to the Senate floor for a vote. Just a month into the legislative session, however, there’s reason to believe the “Skleinos” theory that power-sharing will succeed. Messrs. Skelos and Klein spoke jointly at an event hosted by this newspaper last week, agreeing on some things and disagreeing on others, but without a trace of the vitriol that for years dominated the Senate’s majorityminority system. (Regular Senate Democrats, during a rocky two years in control of the chamber, did help to ease tensions by sharing resources more fairly between the two parties.) We are now seeing real bipartisanship in action. It may be CRAIN’S ONLINE POLL true that the Skelos and Klein conferences are embracing it out of necessity—each knows it lacks the votes to get what it wants on its own—but no matter. So far, it is working. For example, the sensible gun-control bill that passed in January would have never come to a vote in last year’s Senate; it would have been blocked by the GOP leadership because Republicans were divided on the issue. That was just one piece of legislation, of course. Many controversial matters are still to be considered before the session ends in late June: a 21% increase in the minimum wage, a constitutional amendment to allow seven new casinos in the state, public financing of campaigns, hydrofracking and, of course, the next state budget. Senate powersharing is not the only reason to be optimistic about Albany. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has become more amenable to compromise over the past two years. And Gov. Andrew Cuomo has rallied legislators and improved the tenor of negotiations among the “three (now four) men in a room.” The leaders of state government finally seem to understand that the public needs them to play together in the sandbox, not draw lines in it. Bipartisanship is on display in the New York state Senate COMMENTS Preservation pays off SHOULD TAXPAYERS BUY OUT SANDY-RAVAGED HOMES FOR $400M? Yes. It will be cheaper than rebuilding after every storm. No. Taxpayer money shouldn’t be used to pay above-market prices for ruined homes. Date of poll: Feb. 5 338 votes 33% No 67% Yes FOR THIS WEEK’S QUESTIONS: Go to www.crainsnewyork.com/poll to have your say. 10 | Crain’s New York Business | February 11, 2013 The Landmarks Preservation Commission is not on “steroids,” as your Feb. 4 editorial suggests. But we’re beginning to wonder what critics of the commission are on. Yes, the commission has designated several new historic districts. But it is responding to demand for designation from residents across the city, with plenty of local elected support. Some real estate professionals may object, as you state, but the property owners in these districts are all for preserving neighborhood character. The commission works with building owners. It has an expedited review process for most routine issues and regularly approves substitute, less expensive, materials. Mayor Bloomberg deserves credit for letting the commission do its job. And voters will expect the same from the next administration. buck ennis bloomberg news LANDMARKS AGENCY’S CRITICS OFF-BASE Preservation is a major contributor to the city’s economy. It provides local jobs, attracts tourists and protects our quality of life. There is plenty of room in midtown east, and throughout the city, for great new design without destroying the residential and commercial buildings that define New York. —peg breen President The New York Landmarks Conservancy STOP DISCRIMINATION AGAINST JOBLESS Re your Jan. 29 online poll, “Should the City Council prevent businesses from considering job applicants’ employment status?”: I worked for a company that was bought by another firm, and all but about five of 50 employees were laid off. I was out of work through no fault of my own. Yet when looking for a position, I was continually asked about being laid off in a very demeaning way, as though somehow I should have known I would lose my job when the company was sold. I responded as best I could, but I found the whole process horrible. Why should people who have lost their jobs be discriminated against? If an employer does proper due diligence on potential employees, it will find out if they were fired for cause or just laid off. Especially in this economy, it’s crazy that you wouldn’t be considered for a job because you don’t have one. —tough tilly Online commenter CRAIN’S WELCOMES SUBMISSIONS to its opinion pages. Send letters to letters@crainsnewyork.com. Send columns of 475 words or fewer to opinion@crainsnewyork.com. Please include the writer’s name, company, address and telephone number. CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS editor in chief Rance Crain publisher, vp Jill R. 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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - February 11, 2013

IN THE BOROUGHS
IN THE MARKETS
THE INSIDER
BUSINESS PEOPLE
CORPORATE LADDER
OPINION
GREG DAVID
REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS
THE LIST
CLASSIFIEDS
DIGITAL NY
FOR THE RECORD
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SOURCE LUNCH
OUT AND ABOUT
SNAPS

Crains New York - February 11, 2013