Curious George, Part II
It will be interesting watching New York's Governor George Pataki over the next few months. He has taken a singular stance among the nation's governors in approaching the crushing weight of disappearing revenues while the Bush administration slides ever-increasing tonnage of its financial burden onto the already weak knees of state and local governments.
As opposed to his peers across the country, Pataki has taken the curious route of insisting that the citizens of New York State would really rather have a couple extra bucks in their pockets than have firehouses within an expedient distance from their homes, or police on their streets, or teachers in their schools or access to a local college for their teens.
Why would George present his Draconian budget which has no new taxes included--and go loudly on record that he would veto ANY new tax proposal when his state is about to go belly up?
Perhaps it's because he, in fact, has been desperately seeking the opportunity to replace Vice President Dick Cheney on the ticket for the 2004 race for some time now. He saw himself as being just the right "moderate" force to balance the neo-con bent of George W. Bush on the Republican ticket.
His budget stance has had nothing to do with what was best for the citizens of New York, but rather everything to do with presenting his best bona fides to the administration that he could be a really tough guy on taxes, too, boy!
Plus, he would prove to be the ultimate photo op as the Favorite Son at the Republican convention in New York City, which has been timed ruthlessly to coincide with the deaths of the innocents in the World Trade Tower (with lots of available photos of Pataki standing on the rubble of the WTC site--but usually holding Rudy's coat. Note: Careful cropping will be needed).
But something catastrophic happened to Caesar on his way to Rome, NY. Cheney announced the other day that his heart was fine, and he was very happy remaining the shadow president, thank you much.
Where does this leave Pataki? Holding a tray of chips, as the gracious, smiling host of the convention in September.
So, what does he do now? He's too far off on a limb to cut any deals on the state budget, since even his usually tightly run state Republican party has turned on him. All he can do is pray the legislature is smart enough to override his pre-announced veto, and pass a sensible budget. Then, he can wax tough on "No Taxes!" and still not be responsible for the utter fiscal destruction of his state on his watch.
And, lo and behold, here comes the legislature to George's rescue!
Remember! Write your elected officials, today!
posted by Gotham 1:39 PM
