Should Sen. Hillary Clinton choose to become Secretary of State, who do you think should replace her in the U.S. Senate?

Given the stunning breakdown in negotiations on budget cuts this week, I thought it might be interesting to have an expert on negotiation take a look at some tape of the Wednesday’s leaders’ meeting and provide some react to the players and the implementation of their various strategies.

Susan Podziba is a public policy mediator and has lectured about negotiation techniques at Harvard Law School, MIT and now teaches internationally. In her private practice, she’s mediated high-level discussions with leaders of the pro-choice/ pro-life movements, in the aftermath of the clinic bombings in 1994 and has facilitated discussions between Palestinian and Israelis in the Middle East.

She’s based in Massachusetts and has no personal or professional stake in New York State politics or budget cuts.

Podziba watched the 14-minute highlight reel that Casey put together of the highlights of the speech and had this to say about what she saw:

First impressions

“My impression this is not a budget negotiation, this is a political negotiation. This is a discussion about current power and future power.”

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos:

Podziba says that it was very clear that Skelos was making a political calculation to increase his ability to harness future power.

“It is clear that Skelos is basically taking the gamble that these cuts are going to be very painful and that he would like to put this cuts at the feet of the Democratic leadership.”

She says that the GOP’s loss in November is taken into the context of the negotiation. “In the back of my head, I’m thinking about him packing up his office and moving to smaller digs, which is painful.”

“I can understand that political temptation is to take on a set of strategies that one believes will lead to future power. In other words, because of the pain that will come because of the future budgets cuts, it is better to delay and put them on the Democrats,” she said.

But she says it comes at a cost.

“He loses in this meeting because he doesn’t look like he understands this is a crisis. He looks like he’s in a usual budget battle,” she said.

“As I look at the political negotiation, he doesn’t look like he’s serious about the crisis.”

More on Smith, Paterson, and Silver’s performances and advice she would give them for January, after the jump.

(more…)

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has called the state Senate back for a special session to address the budget crisis — one day before Gov. David Paterson has promised to release his budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The release:

                       SENATE TO RETURN DECEMBER 15
Will Act on Plans To Address the State’s Budget Challenges

New  York State Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos today announced
that the Senate will return on December 15 to take action on a plan to help
close  the  current  fiscal  year budget gap and address the State’s budget
needs  going forward by reducing spending and instituting other reforms and
incentives to achieve savings and make necessary investments.

“It’s  important  that we take action to close this year’s budget gap
as  we  begin work on a new budget Governor Paterson has promised to submit
early.   The  legislation  that  we  will  advance  and act on will include
significant  spending  reductions,  recurring savings actions and important
initiatives  to  maximize  revenue.  We call on the Assembly to put forward
its  own  plan  so we can immediately begin conference committees to act on
current-year  solutions  as  we  review  the Governor’s budget for the next
fiscal year,” Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said.

(more…)

New York’s own Patrick Gaspard has told union officials that he will be leaving 1199 to become President-elect Barack Obama’s political director, according to a source close to the union.

Here’s Elizabeth Benjamin’s earlier post on the appointment.

And another post from Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post.

The New York Times is reporting that two of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s confidants confirm that she has decided to accept the post of Secretary of State in the Obama administration, although an official announcement isn’t expected until after Thanksgiving. More coverage on Politico.

But the level of buzz means that Gov. David Paterson will have to focus on naming Clinton’s replacement.

Take a look at our early handicapping here.

There’s been fighting in Albany lately, but perhaps not enough discussion of the benefits of Ultimate Fighting.

That’s the message from a group known (not quite grammatically) as Committee Legalize Mixed Martial Arts New York State, which is planning a 10,000-child march on Albany on Wednesday — which regular CapCon readers will recognize as the day before Bruce Lee’s birthday.

Committee Legalize … uh, CLMMANYS is calling on the state to legalize the hugely popular competition sport, arguing that matches in major cities could bring millions in revenue to New York in a time of fiscal crisis. Also, the group is planning to protest Gov. David Paterson’s budget cuts and their effect on programs for young people, which is a bit of a mixed message to got with the mixed martial arts.

We’re not sure how many children will be able to make to the Capitol on the day before Thanksgiving, but CLMMANYS promises the participation of martial arts champion and film star Lou Neglia. Yes, that Lou Neglia, of “Fist of Fear, Touch of Death” and “One Down Two to Go,” or so we’re told.

This is not the first time MMA advocates have tried to lure legislators into this policy octagon.

More on this story as it develops. CLMMANYS press release — the winner of this week’s Best Press Release Ever Award — after the jump. (more…)

Most of the Obama hiring buzz lately has obviously focused on the possibility that Hillary Clinton may become the president-elect’s next Secretary of State, but there are other New Yorkers whose name may be in the hat for a variety of federal posts as well.

One name that meets a couple of thresholds for a possible job change: Medicaid Inspector General James Sheehan, who is a Spitzer appointee and has federal Department of Justice experience.

Spitzer brought Sheehan over from the DOJ’s Philadelphia office where he oversaw some high profile Medicaid fraud cases and there has apparently been some talk this week among some of the NYMIG staffers, I’m told, about a possible federal post for him.

The Associated Press reports that one New York public school isn’t waiting for inauguration day:

It was only a matter of time. A New York school has been renamed in honor of President-elect Barack Obama.

The former Ludlum Elementary School, in Long Island’s Hempstead Union Free School District, was renamed at a school board meeting Thursday — effective immediately.

School officials say most of the 440 students there are black or Hispanic, and Obama’s victory is a source of great pride.

Go to it, lots to talk about this week.

Good morning, guys and gals. Happy Friday. Here are today’s stories…

Retiring Chief Judge Judy Kaye received ovations after she heard final hearings.

A primer on how to get to the inauguration.

Obama seems ready to announce Sen. Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State after Thanksgiving. Sen. Chuck Schumer has given his recommendations about who does want - a truly “junior” senator. Clinton cuts the size of her campaign debt.

If Clinton doesn’t take the job, the Senate is prepared to give her an “enhanced” leadership role.

Foreclosures are hurting NY; it might mean more property taxes.

Video-lottery aid could be slashed under Gov. David Paterson’s budget proposal.

Embattled Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio uses $35,000 in campaign funds to pay for his legal defense against corruption charges.

The Paterson administration paid $37,741 for 5 rugs.  The rug dealer said, “They could have had the Bentley instead of the Ford…I could’ve sold them a $150,000 carpet, but I gave them the used car.”

The hand count in the Padavan-Gennaro race continues.

National news after the jump.

(more…)

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez is considered a contender to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton if she decides to vacate her seat to join the Obama administration.

According to the New York Times, Paterson is interested in picking someone who is either a woman, an upstater, or a Latino, which would help him in his own 2010 gubernatorial bid. In Velazquez he’d have a twofer - a Latina woman who was given a speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention, who was recently named chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

But there are a couple of challenges to her candidacy - she’s doesn’t have statewide name recognition, and she’s not from upstate. But her press office might be trying to address those issues.

Greg Floyd, anchor and reporter for CBS 6 up here in Albany observed to me he has started getting press releases from Velazquez in the days since her name has been floated after years of never getting a single press release from the downstate congresswoman. Floyd said that when asked, her press person said it must have been some sort of a “computer glitch.”

Another thing that might be a stumbling block: Velazquez’s record on Israel.

A political consultant who regularly works with New York’s organized Jewish community and institutions pointed out that Congresswoman Velazquez has an indifferent record when it comes to Israeli security and maintaining a strong US-Israeli relationship.

These groups, such as AIPAC (the powerful pro-Israel lobbying group), the Orthdox Union, and others, are a powerful force in politics, especially in New York state. They have access to significant campaign donor resources and powerful public relations operations.

The consultant said that on these issues, Velazquez’s record was “just on the appropriate side of abysmal,” and pointed to several examples, including:

• Voted against foreign aid bill – FY 2001, FY 2000 Conf Report, FY 1999, FY 1997, FY 1996, FY 96/97, FY 1994, FY 1994 Conf Report
• Did Not Vote (DNV) on 95 Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act; Did Not Sign (DNS) any Jerusalem letters
• Only cosponsored 2 Iran bills – 2001 ILSA extension and 1998 Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act
• Voted against Palestinian Anti Terror Act of 2006 (one of only 37)
• Voted present on Pence Berkley resolution of 2004, condemning the International Court of Justice ruling on Israel’s security fence (while 361 Members of Congress voted for it)
• Did not sign or cosponsor most letters and resolutions addressing terrorist attacks on Israel.

According to the consultant, “what’s so disturbing is that Jewish groups, activists and donors are left wondering whether Governor Paterson is unaware of this problematic record or unaware that he needs to be aware. Either way, for all those who follow these important issues, there’s cause for serious concern over the possibility of Nydia becoming a US Senator.”

Now that the special legislative session came and went without any progress on cutting the this year’s projected $1.5 billion budget deficit, there’s been a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking about what Gov. David Paterson should or shouldn’t have done to make something happen. So let’s explore a few of the woulda shoulda couldas a bit:

Quarterbacking #1: Paterson should have called more in-person leaders’ meetings to force the three men into a room to hash things out. 

As governor, Paterson could have called more in-person leaders’ meetings. Based on reports, Paterson spoke with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos on various occasions by phone. There were three in-person leaders’ meetings - two public, one private - and all were a bust.

In case you’ve forgotten, the first one on October 3 featured an argument between Paterson and Skelos, during which Skelos said “I don’t need to be lectured,” to which Paterson replied, “I apologize if I hurt your feelings.”

The second resulted in a press release in which Paterson said:  “It was clear from the meeting that Majority Leader Skelos has not changed his position,” indicating that there had been no movement on the issue.

And of course, you’ve seen the ample video of the leaders’ meeting that happened Tuesday.

Paterson said the executive staff met with legislative staff at least 61 times in the weeks leading up to the special legislative session. Generally the staff meets and comes up with proposals, and then the leaders meet to negotiate their respective plans.

But it’s clear looking back that there hadn’t been much movement in the month in a half between October 3rd and November 20th.

Would anything have changed if Paterson had called more meetings? Could Skelos have been persuaded to negotiate on issues such as school aid and health care cuts, given his concerns about the impact of mid-year cuts on schools and hospitals? That isn’t clear.

Skelos did have some ideas for ways to cut spending, but didn’t present them until the third meeting, in front of television cameras and the press. To which Paterson responded heatedly: “I’m not talking about when your back is to the wall, and you’ve been exposed for not doing any work, coming up with suggestions now.”

Another thing to note - unlike the legislature, which is required to gavel in and return to Albany if the governor calls a special session, legislative leaders are not legally required to comply if the governor requests a leaders’ meeting.

The news came out late Wednesday so it took a few hours for them to build up a head of steam but representatives of the state’s nearly 13,000 management confidential employees aren’t going to give up their “vacation exchange” program without a fight.

“I’m sure we’re going to end up arguing over it in the courts,” remarked Joe Sano, executive director of the employees’ membership organization which in lieu of a union represents their interests.

Basically, the Paterson administration canceled their ability to give up vacation time for extra pay as a cost-saving measure. They estimate it will save $5 million this year.

Sano, though, said Paterson may also be sending a message to the state’s unions which are presumably protected from such moves due to their labor contracts.

“Unfortunately management confidential employees can be used to say ‘Look at what I’m doing to my own staff. Times are so hard,’ ” said Sano.

As to his threatened court fight, he pointed to a battle that erupted in 2003 when the Pataki Administration took away the m/cs’ “peformance advancements,” which are similar to ‘’step” longevity-type pay raises that are commonplace throughout the public sector.

After a three year battle, Sano said, they got the raises, plus interest, back, at a cost to the state of $37 million in retro pay and interest.

M/cs frequently are in supervisory roles, Sano noted with many of them serving as “treatment team leaders” in institutions for the disabled.

Earlier today, the National Organization for Women’s New York President Marcia Pappas sent out an advisory calling on Gov. David Paterson to appoint a woman to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton should she decide to become Secretary of State.

Just a few minutes ago, Pappas issued a correction which calls for not just any woman, “but a woman who believes in women’s equality and important issues such as economic justice, ending racisim, reproductive rights, passage of the equal rights amendment, lesbian rights and ending violence against woman.”

She didn’t, however, correct the typo from the earlier release, which spelled the governor’s name “Patterson” rather than the single-t, correct, Paterson.

Pappas, an ever-colorful and ceaselessly-ardent Hillary supporter, hit national news earlier this year when she blasted Sen. Ted Kennedy for endorsing Obama for president.

See the release after the jump.

(more…)

News reports seem to demonstrate that the the Obama transition team and Sen. Hillary Clinton are moving through the vetting process. Some even say the decision may be announced before next week.

If you had any doubt, check out the email that was sent to prospective donors on behalf of Hillary Clinton, which said:

Things are changing in Washington and we have reason to hope that the next four years will look much different and better than the last eight.

As we look forward to a new era in Washington, there is still one piece of unfinished business where Hillary needs your help.

We need to do all we can to help Hillary by acting now to reduce her remaining debt.

In the meantime, there seems to be a holding pattern on both a state and national level pending the decision, whichever way it goes.

Speculation abounds over who Gov. David Paterson would pick to replace Clinton - it was the “glaring” subtext of yesterday’s meeting with the New York delegation in Washington.

As to who will take the slot, Paterson has reportedly indicated privately that he’d like to pick either a woman, an upstater, or a Latino. On record, he’s said that he doesn’t feel obligated to pick a woman.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that the possible Clinton appointment has left a number of other foreign service policy appointments up in the air, too - all the baggage from the brutal Democratic presidential primary.