Not only that, we need a Constitutional Covention.
Party Bosses control all the votes on legislation. The needs of the people are of little concern. Thats why all votes are by party, not by merit. The districts have been so Gerrymandered over the years that our voting for reps..really means nothing. Each county should be represented equally in the senate. Just like the national Senate represents each State. 62 counties should mean 62 senators. Erie has the same vote as Genesee. Same for the assembly. Redistricting is greatly needed by a non-partisan(private) commision.

People typically like their own representative even as they say things like "they should all resign". That accomplishes almost nothing. Well, if you think they should all resign, start by contacting your own Senator and explicitly urge him to do so. Here are their names, the ones in our area:

George Maziarz
Michael Ranzenhofer
Dale Volker

You could begin by asking them if they believe they have really deserved their paychecks during the past month. If they are unwilling to resign, maybe they can be shamed into turning back their paychecks at least. That's not such a big demand. If I acted like this at my job I'd be fired.

If you were a lawyer and represented your client as well as I feel Ranzerhofer is representing me you would deserve your check.

If it comes to this, that a Senator is considered to be doing a good job by supporting a coup d'etat (a sheer power grab in the guise of "reform" - a word that his party did not know for forty years until they lost power) and the subsequent gridlock, then by all means keep paying him.

This is the problem with calling for mass resignations. Everyone thinks their own Senator is not the problem.

Could tomorrow's poll be about wishing for rain to either ice cream or chocolate, because that's about as likely to happen as this.

I say hit um where it hurts, in their pocket, cause as far as I'm concerned they are all extortionists. They have been sucking the taxpayers dry for far to long. They have been allowed to conduct themselves like fools, while raking in the doe.
Reform is definately needed in the Senate. Make them all pay us back, for every day they wasted our time, and money. Kinda like the bailout money, make them give it back. Only then will they feel the pinch, that we do every day. No lavish vacations, big boats, mansions, cars, take it all. Only then will they quit their childish nonsence. They are lucky Im not the governor. I'd can all their *sses, without pay, and send them running home to mama, with their tail between their legs

Karen.... I like your take on things lol.

I would say that it would do nothing but put us even farther behind if all the state senators resigned. We would have to spend the time re-electing new senators, which would just end up being a waste of time anyways.

I agree with Fred; each county should have a representative. Redistricting is a political manipulation.

I am mulling two ideas as to our Senators not behaving like Senators...

1) We could fine each Senator, not at their seat ready for state business, $20,000 per day...

or 2) We could toss the shiftless jerks and put on the opponent in his/her last election with the next highest vote count. Maybe the loser would be more inclined to work.

And as for Ranzerhofer- if he's acting like his fellows, he deserves to go also. This (insert whiny voice) "Not my Senator," is why our state legislature has been dysfunctional for decades. Everyone blames someone else's idiot.

Also, Senate terms should be for four years. Half elected every two years.

Or have a unicameral body. But both senate and assembly on two year terms makes no sense.

Posted by Howard Owens on July 1, 2009 - 1:12pm
Also, Senate terms should be for four years. Half elected every two years.

Or have a unicameral body. But both senate and assembly on two year terms makes no sense.

That makes sense...so much so it will never happen.

Thanks Laura, I just wish Patterson would grow some kyoonees, and exersize the power, he has been given. Chris I like your idea about fines, for Senators who choose to act like selfish idiots. I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceburg. I also think the Senate could use an audit. I would love to see how deep the corruption, and byoffs go. I would also be interested to see how much moneys were spent on dinner parties, vacation meetings, and all the extra, unneeded spending.

....or how much of this 'down' time was used to raise funds for upcoming elections.
If that is what they are doing with their time, then we, the taxpayers, shouldn't be paying the tab.

Jim, I am writing all 3 senators today and I will ask each to resign. Party affiliation aside, the whole thing is broke and needs bipartisan fixing. If they feel they are doing a good job, they should have no problem in being part of the solution, not an obstacle to it. Thank you for the suggestion sir!

Bea,
Since they are paid a flat salary, technically we are always paying for them to raise funds.

The one advantage of the current situation is that as long as the state senate is not in session, they can do no harm. We are in much greater danger when they are in session and have the capability of creating new legislation. Seriously though, what a crying shame it is that partisan politics can descend to such a level. There are no "good guys" here. The current NYS government is the single most dysfunctional government I have ever seen. while I am sure that there are some honorable men and women who serve in the NYS senate, the body as a whole needs to be replaced. I have a hard time understanding why anyone would choose to belong to either the republican or democratic party. I see no evidence that either party's first concern is the people of NYS. They need us more than we need them and still they act like spoiled children. Sweeping changes are needed.

None of these guys are going to resign. They are getting payed for wasteing time.

Those changes are only going to come from elected officials and its very rare that independents are placed in power.

Dysfunction is our Function.

Until you can turnover the entire chamber in one fowl swoop, you won't be able to fix it without some sort of coup.

Does a Lieutenant Governor have the power to break ties like the VP does in the US Senate?

If so then this is a unique situation that we are in since we have no LG. Blame Spitzer! :)

No traditional favoritism for me--I know my State Senator (Volker) is a HUGE part of the problem.

In NY, the Lt. Gov does break tie votes, but we do not have one. In NY, when the Lt. Gov moves up to replace a Governor, there is no method to replace the Lt. Gov.

Don't know why, but you can bet they never saw this coming.

These people aren't representing me or anyone else as a citizen while they pull this bull. This kinda crap is a part of what is wrong with government. I am so mad about this! I think they should not only resign, they should not reimburse them for travel etc, and call for new elections for all of those seats!! I wouldn't get paid at my job if I pull the same thing. Why should they? They aren't working.

John,
I think I saw something on TV a few nights ago that mentioned that Patterson could appoint a judge to act as the L.G. in case of a tie vote.
Frankly, I was getting ready to go out and only half listened to it. But, if I got the gist of it right, there is a plan in place if needed.
Now, if they would only get a real plan in place to get back to work, I'd be thrilled.

I posted on this site on 09 May 2009:

Citizen's referendum to Abolish NY State Government(http://www.thebatavian.com/blogs/genesee-pc/citizens-referendum-abolish-...). Please check it out. This coup is happening for a reason...

Hoped it would have been pushed to the front page. This is one way to fix the problem. While drastic, we have been left with little choice. For anyone interested there is a rally in Buffalo (Niagara Square), regarding this Saturday afternoon (Independence Day) with lots of key speakers. Expected to be good numbers in attendance and you will still make it home for the fireworks.

Sorry, Christopher, I don't remember this post from May 9. That may be that I don't remember it (meaning I saw it but don't remember why I didn't do anything with it) or I didn't see it for whatever reason. I don't recall any intentional reason not to promote it to the home page.

I agree with Bea, lets move to a unicameral legislature, the days of antiquity in which the current rules were made have long sense passed. A more productive legislature can come out of only having one body for legislation.

Ranzenhofer has been pretty ineffective, his own website shows the most scant of accomplishments.

Howard erased my earlier comment, I do apologize, it was in bad taste so I will be nicer this time....

Paterson is spelled with one "t", just for future reference.

I'm just not into correcting people for mistakes in their writing. It's the web, not a textbook.

...I don't think it should be forgotten- the role of Tom Golisano in orchestrating this impasse. Apparently he hasn't moved to Florida yet. Was this his swan song?

"the days of antiquity in which the current rules were made have long sense passed. "

Should we rewrite the US Constitution as well since it is 222 years old?

Just because something is old does not mean it is useless or outdated. The bicameral legislature is good. Counties with cities will most likely be poorly represented by just one representative in their government. But by having representatives and senators, the people from the suburbs can fight off the mass of people with different interests in the city.

If anything more representatives and senators are the answer to increase the accuracy of the representation of the constituents and to bring more accountability to the people for who is elected and sent to Albany.

If this lasts till Nov 30th we get a 1% reduction in sales tax!