Mike Long, the chairman of the State Conservative Party, has sent a letter [1] to Governor Spitzer asking, "Can we talk?" He's not happy with the Senate majority's proposed increases to the state budget. In fact, he's so unhappy that he wants to work with the governor on his proposed budget instead.

In Long's words:

Governor Spitzer, I do not agree with most of your budget. You have increased spending at levels that according to the Comptroller are unsustainable. I believe there is fat in your budget and given the opportunity, I would cut spending. If your future budgets continue at the same rate of spending, New York could go bankrupt.

As difficult as your budget is, what the Republican controlled Senate is proposing, forces me to re-evaluate your proposals.

In his effort to cozy up to Spitzer, perhaps Long may rethink some of the other areas where he's butted heads with the new governor, like the nomination of Pete Grannis for DEC commissioner. Long has sided with the gun lobby and has publicly opposed the nomination. The Grannis hearings begin on Tuesday. We'll be watching...