New York Legislature map proposals are laughable. Here's why

There's more. A lot more.

How New York State Legislature members spend your money for stuff, for them, to do stuff, which they should do, because that's a lot of money (boring!)

It's a well known paradox: we hate getting taxed in the state, but we love our legislators for bringing the pork home. But how much do they spend on office operations, like travel, mail, long distance calls, personal service (?), and, uh, stuff?

Well, here is a little informative chart that should help you decide in November which way you might want to go, as I'm told that our role in journalism is to communicate to our audience valuable information so they can make informed decisions.

CRAZY TALK!

Anyway, here's the chart, courtesy of The Empire Center's seethroughny.net, as first reported by the awesome Celeste Diaz of the New York Daily News.

Legislative Expenditures 10.09-3.10 Release2

If you are too lazy to break down your local white dude in office (yes, all our representatives are white men), here's a breakdown, from Oct. 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010.

State Senate:

* John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope (we hope). $396.115, ranking 21 out of 65 big spenders, I mean, state senators.
* Steven Saland: R-Poughkeepsie. $377,244, ranking 27.
* James Seward, R-Oneonta. $352,177, ranking 38
* Bill Larkin, R-Cornwall, $338,820 , ranking 49

The biggest offender? Pride of the State Senate Pedro Spada, who likes to switch parties, sushi, and get in trouble with ethics and the law, which is why he is their leader. I wish I was joking.

State Assembly:

* Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston. $219,349, ranking 32 out of 152.
* Joel Miller, R-Poughkeepsie,  $153,175, ranking 83.
* Frank Starkados, D-Milton. $142,156, ranking 106
* Clifford Crouch, R-Guilford. $135,604, ranking 116
* Marc Molinaro, R-Red Hook. $133,186, ranking 123
* Peter Lopez, R-Schoharie. $113,674, ranking 145.

More detailed reports, including pork, are also available.

Assemblyman Marc Molinaro responds to insensitive column by mean writer

RE: "How New York works: It doesn't"

I read with interest today's column regarding the state legislature. While I cannot defend anyone else's actions, having decided to engage in public service as an eighteen year old and learning so much from the people I served, I can only assure you and your readers that I remain as committed as ever to the much needed reforms advocated for by so many, including the Brennan Center. I have pledged support, voted for and sponsored legislation meant to overhaul state government, require fiscal discipline and provide transparency and public access.

While, admittedly, you didn't "name names," when one lumps all legislators together and paints even the reform minded members with the same brush, damage is done. When someone like yourself levels such a stereotypical charge the efforts of those reform-minded public servants are diminished.

I am not one for pointing to self-serving accolades... but those organizations that so actively pursue reform in Albany are doing good work, have acknowledged my commitment and I proudly stand with them on behalf of those I serve.

Thank you for reading and keeping the dialogue open.

MJM

Marcus J. Molinaro
NYS Assembly
103rd district