So Many Vetoes, So Little Time
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times
Gov.David A. Paterson wielding his veto pen on Thursday. He and his aides have set up what amounts to a veto assembly line.
Let the vetoing begin!
Gov. David A. Paterson invited reporters into his office in the Capitol on Thursday to watch him begin wielding his veto pen on thousands of earmark grants, known as member items, that lawmakers appended to budget bills passed this week.
There, around a long conference table, Mr. Paterson and his aides had set up what amounted to a veto assembly line. For each grant — they are typically handed out by lawmakers to nonprofit groups, social service agencies and Little Leagues in their districts — the governor was handed a sheet of paper to sign from a stack three feet high by his chief counsel, Peter J. Kiernan.
On the other side of the table, two other administration lawyers worked through actual copies of the budget bills, literally crossing out the lines of the bills that corresponded to each grant.
As assembly lines go, it was quiet. Papers rustled. Pens scratched. Long Beach Latino Civic Association? Better luck next year. Visual Arts Research and Resource Center Related to the Caribbean? No member item for you!
“Are we finished?” Mr. Paterson joked after he had signed a few.
Not by a long shot: There are roughly 6,900 grants, each requiring a separate line-item veto. A spokesman for Mr. Paterson, Morgan Hook, said that the governor had left his schedule open for the next few days to allow time to sign all the vetoes personally. Asked whether Mr. Paterson would definitely sign them all, Mr. Hook answered: “He would like to sign them all.”
Mr. Paterson announced that he would veto the grants after lawmakers set aside parts of his budget and passed their own version this week, restoring hundreds of millions of dollars in school and health spending along with the member item money, much of it reappropriated from past allotments that are stored in accounts effectively controlled by the Legislature.
The member item vetoes do not, however, become effective until they are physically delivered to the Senate and Assembly. That has left some people wondering whether Mr. Paterson will hold back the signed vetoes as a negotiating chip with lawmakers, whom the governor is trying to persuade to approve a contingency plan for a probable shortfall in federal Medicaid money, among other priorities. By law, Mr. Paterson has until midnight on July 9 to deliver the vetoes formally.
Mr. Paterson, however, insisted that that was not his plan.
“I’m not negotiating with anybody,” Mr. Paterson said before he began his vetoes. “I’m a little busy right now, so I don’t think I have time to negotiate.”
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They must have learned of this administrative action direct from the Social Security Administation.
It’s impossible to get a denial overturned as none of the succeeding administrative judges want to change a prior ruling and go against their friends and fellow co workers who already rubber stamped the request with a big resounding, NO!
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Mr Paterson, I think you have redeemed yourself.
— Timmy -
They must have learned of this administrative action direct from the Social Security Administation.
It’s impossible to get a denial overturned as none of the succeeding administrative judges want to change a prior ruling and go against their friends and fellow co workers who already rubber stamped the request with a big resounding, NO!
— Perley J. Thibodeau -
He’s doing an admirable job.
But computerizing this archaic process would be efficient and a much better use of his time.
— overtaxed -
Most of these earmarks were budgeted last year but the grant contracts took so long to process that the reappropriation was necessary to make sure no non-profit would lose the funds they expended to abide by their contracts. Many non-profits would be financial hurt, even fatally, if the were not paid back for the money they expended to comply with the contracts they were given. If the state doesn’t have the money fo fund these programs in the future that is one thing, but to not pay back non-profits for contracts they negotiated and spent would be wrong.
— Charles -
Once again, for the umpteenth year in a row, NY State government is a bad joke and an embarrassment.
— PH -
I’m curious how much actual money is involved in these member items. I expected to find the number in a blog about the vetoes, but maybe it’s not available (no surprise there if so). Are there any estimates out?
— Nathan -
Is it me or does this look like the scene from scarface?
— James -
Mike: “how many of the member items are for unneeded wasteful handouts, and how many actually fill a vital need…”
That’s the issue. One man’s pork is another man’s vital need.
Since most of these items were added at the last minute and received no vigorous debate, I say dump them all. If something is truly necessary, let it be debated and receive a proper evaluation.
— Jerry Vanesic -
It’s about time, NY does not have a budget deficit,
we have a huge spending problem.
Bart
— P. Bart Malone -
With all due respect, conservative ideology is ill-equipped to make the distinction between “wasteful handouts” and “vital needs,” because conservatives assume money that isn’t being used by the government is being used effectively, efficiently and well by the private sector.
This assumption is kind of ludicrous, but it’s necessary for the indiscriminate dismissal of government spending and regulation that is the very irrevocable core of Reagan and post-Reagan governing philosophy.
So, #1, you’re not really in a position to levy that criticism. Either drop the blanket condemnation of “pork barrel projects” and start looking at them on a case-by-case basis — thus find many of them do good and cease being a conservative — or maintain the belief that the market always has something better to do with the money, and cede that the governor is doing exactly what you want him to do and you should support him in it.
— Peter -
Was it really necessary to include a photograph of the Governor with his head close to the table? Everyone knows that he is leaglly blind; are you trying to drive home that point? If so, to what end?
— pmgamble -
This comment actually doesn’t have to do with the text, but rather with the photo of the Governor. Since he’s legally blind (I believe), is there someone assisting him with the signing. I can’t imagine someone with such low vision having to go through almost 7,000 pieces of paper in just a few days. Isn’t there a way to make it easier on his eyes. As the daughter of a low vision parent, who is now struggling with tasks like typing on the computer and navigating websites that don’t have sufficient formatting contrasts for low vision people to distinguish content, I’m wondering about this issue.
— Laura -
Is it too late to support Patterson in 2010?
— Dan -
Whatever happened to this guy’s political deathwatch?
— Terry1 -
God bless you Mr. Patterson.
— Paul -
Think about the time spent by your state representative creating his/her share of 6,900 grants. Do the math. On average at least 25 per legislator. Seems like a lot to me.
If we weren’t having a budget crisis this would all have gone unnoticed and unreported.
— Albert Davis -
Governor Paterson has clearly morphed from an accidental Governor with dubious leadership and management qualities into a real Governor – In fact, the kind of Governor I have been waiting for for decades. The man has literally grown on the job :)
The man has foibles and his leadership and management qualities may need work, but history will be kind to him. I hope that he gets a chance to run for the job at some time in the future, and I will be honored to vote for him at that point in time :)
At a critical time in the history of the state of New York, a fallible, imperfect man named David Paterson stepped to the plate and stood up to a corrupt, thoroughly unresponsive state legislature – that’s what the history books will say, Governor Paterson. And this liberal Democrat from New York City thanks you, Governor Paterson, for what you are doing. You may not be the best Governor of New York State ever, but you are the only Governor we have at this point and we are glad to have you :)
— blacklight -
And so it goes. The Obama-Pelosi super recession grinds on.
— Ochsucker -
Whatever happened to the paper shredder ? Much more efficient !
— ShowMeTheRealMoney -
Ah, finally earning your pay, governor? Just don’t punk out at the end.
— Patrick -
Good for him. There are two basic problems with member items:
(1) As others noted, they are often slipped in at the last minute with no debate.
(2) It is really not legislature’s job to micromanage funding by saying X to this nonprofit, Y to this company, Z contract to this person. Legislature should provide a budget for state agencies to disburse and administer the funds – that’s what they are for. The legislature does not have the capacity to, say, weigh whether one particular housing project is better use of money than another, which is a more efficient use of state resources. In fact, I would guess that legislature’s choices are more about gaining local votes than the public good.
As for the comment that some nonprofits had been promised that money. That sounds like BS to me. What nonprofit applies to a legislator for grants? Those grants are administered by agencies. If they did “apply to the legislature”, then that is basically lobbying and I have no sympathy.
— harrassee -
Patterson is back, lol! The countdown is over, back to business as usual….
— Barry -
I think conservatives will be a little surprised to find out what’s being cut, what doors are going to close as a result. Some of it is health care and education.
— JES -
If he keeps doing this kind of thing, I would certainly vote for him for governor in the next election.
— Hermancost********************************************************************
I’m glad Paterson is fighting this ridiculous, out of control spending.
— Kevin-
Congrats for Gov. Paterson, all this veto business is great.
For the first time in history we have a Governor that is talking and acting the truth.
I would love for him to reconsider his candidacy. He has earned at least the right to give us an election.
Crooked democratic party….darn what a corrupted bunch.
— Tom -
I love to read the comments here, always amusing. People praise the Gov. (for doing his job finally), bring up Obama-Pelosi (umm, not mentioned in the article), or just make random non-related comments. A couple of things to note. First, if Patterson were running this would not be happening. He’d be making back room deals and sucking up to whoever could help him. This is certainly a good reason for term limits. Second, you’ll have a nearly impossible time finding out what these earmarks were or who initiated them. Ever look at the legislature website?
— RSB -
i wonder how much money could be saved yearly on the cost of paper alone.
or better yet, let’s give them the same budget for supplies that nyc school teachers get and stretch that out for the year.
— BoredAtWork -
Governor Paterson, you can do this! Just sign 123 vetoes for four hours each morning and afternoon for the next 7 days and you will have won!
— Gwendolyn -
James – gold :)
— Gop-stop -
It’s refreshing to see a politician with a clue and a backbone.
— George -
I have been very impressed with David Patterson’s handling of the budget fiasco, but the reality is that he is able to do this precisely because he *not* a candidate for governor. When he still thought he might run, he made the disastrous promise to the state unions that he there would be no layoffs. I doubt he would be vetoing member items on an assembly line basis if he was expecting to face voters in November.
Having said that, many politicians in his position would simply shrug and say it’s the next guy’s problem. I have a great deal of respect for his willingness to face down the Legislature and really work at getting a difficult (almost impossible!) job done.
If it weren’t for the sticky problem of his alleged misuse of his office to obstruct justice in a domestic violence case, I, too, would consider voting for him in the future. I’ll reserve judgment until Judge Kaye completes her investigation.
— Jeanne Edna Thelwell -
Some of those grants probably are only worth giving out in time of fiscal wealth. However, non-profits often step in and provide very needed and useful services that the government can not – or will not – provide. I can’t help but to wonder how many people will be left on the governments’ doorstep, clamoring for more money and services as a result of this wholesale vetoing?
— libwitch -
Call me cynical, but those who write that they’d now vote for him for governor have lost sight of the significant likelihood that were he not a lame duck with nothing to lose he wouldn’t be taking these actions. Which, by the way, I support.
— Ed -
Thank goodness for Governor Paterson. And let’s all please remember to vote out of office every single one of those incumbent legislative fools we are stuck with currently, starting with Sheldon Silver.
— M. E. -
A strong piece of contemporary endurance art
— Andrew -
One man’s special interest is another man’s vital public service. We’ll see how many Republicans are cheering when they find one of their pet causes has gone under the axe …
— ACW -
“I think conservatives will be a little surprised to find out what’s being cut, what doors are going to close as a result. Some of it is health care and education.”
If they don’t know what the items are, it’s because they didn’t read it. If that’s the case, then it should never have been passed in the first place.
— harrassee -
Regarding the photo comments:
I had no idea Mr. Paterson had a vision problem until I read the comments here. To me, the photo illustrates a man working like crazy to sign a stack of papers.
— Tim -
Makes me want to move back to NY and write in Gov. Patterson’s name on the Gubernatorial ballot. Way to go David!
Sister states, NY & NJ really trying to right the ship. Priceless.
— leaningleft -
Only a Governor that is not running for re-election would have the courage to do something like this, 6900 pork items …..amazing.
— john wayne -
“One man’s pork is another man’s vital need” either way the government shouldn’t decide. Give the money to the people and let them spend it as they see fit.
Long Beach Latino Civic association, better luck next time.
— john wayne -
Vetoing earmarks sounds great, until you know how much good they usually do. Earmarks are a way that local representatives support programs and projects that benefit people in their communities. They are carefully regulated and agencies receiving them have to be accountable for how funds are spent. This targeted support aids tens of thousands of vulnerable people including children, elders, and people with special needs. The Governor is not hurting elected officials by vetoing these earmarks. He is keeping them from aiding nonprofits already suffering from other funding reductions and increased needs for services. Most of all he is hurting many of those who need help in these difficult times. Marvin
— Marvin -
To Peter (#11) and your response to the first post. You are making assumptions based on your own skewed reading. If, in fact, you took the time to read the first post more carefully, you might see that your views and those of Mike (#1) are, in this instance, not that far apart. Mike also raised the issue of looking at the vetoes on a case by case basis. He also supports some areas of government spending. Did you not catch the line about shoring up schools and healthcare?
The only difference is that Mike has chosen not to mock those whose political views differ from his.
— mel -
Hooray! I love all the positive comments associated with this article. Finally, we have a man in Albany that will walk the evil legislature gauntlet not in defense of his palm-up/hand-out special interests, but defending the people of New York and their pockets. For once, thank God.
Now, Mr. Patterson, go after local School District Administrative and Union Representative Corruption. If you’re not connected to local school districts in any way, and view your local school district through the lens of your child, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT EVILS GO ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
— Jared -
Until the Federal government, the 30 states in financial straits and the hundreds of muncipalities understand what the meaning of the word “budget” really is we are doomed to politicians’ rewarding thier constituients with our tax money. Most are no longer budgets but rather “spend” programs (not even investment programs) meant to keep an elected official in office. If you really want to be entertained go on line and read the California budget. You will see why they are broke.
— Jack -
@Laura: The signing is going to be harder on his back than his eyes. I know that it looks like Patterson is straining to read the documents, but a comfortable reading distance of a few inches is not unusual for limited-vision legally blind persons. In any event, his aides probably do the bulk of the reading, give him a summary of what he’s about to veto. He then does a quick verification that he’s been given the correct document and signs it.
— Kyle -
I second that M.E., but I would start with the self serving, corrupt hacks, Espada and Diaz.
— DSal -
It’s abot time someone stood up to these spendaholicks!!!
— Jim Balocki
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It’s abot time someone stood up to these spendaholicks!!!
— Jim Balocki -
He’s certainly showing more integrity and guts than the rest of all of Albany combined.
Too bad he’s a goner.
— D Scott -
Paterson – take this opportunity take on the Unions. The perks and entitlements are truly unbelievable – I wish I could retire after 20 years at half pay forever – no more sacred cows.
I am sick of the unions spending money on commercials trying to buy public sympathy – I am not buying it.
They would budge an inch to try and close the budget.
We have had enough.
— Michael -
Paterson does not have an election to worry about, and hopefully only the best interest of New York State while rejecting these requests. What we haven’t had is a middle class tax cut to put more money in the hands of the consumer. Without discretionary income to spend, the state is looking at diminished sales tax and flight from New York, business and individuals.
Lower the budget AND lower taxes.
— RP – NYC -
This is the Gov’t Shutdown the Governor was talking about like 3 weeks ago. One part of the budget has passed since then, but nobody seems to know what’s gonna be left open when this budget process concludes. 6900 items to veto, nobody has said what they are! Thieves in the night depend on your POV.
— Eric Bentsen
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I’m curious, though, how many of the member items are for unneeded wasteful handouts, and how many actually fill a vital need for the people of New York?
— Mike