Legislative Update: March 20, 2007

By: Prospector

Once again there were no transportation committee meetings today.  As is usually the case at this stage of the legislative session, time is taken up with budget hearings and conferences.  If you watched the 6PM news tonight, you probably know that the usual conflict over the budget is occurring again this year.  I met with 4 assemblymen, 1 new and 3 from the Transportation Committee (I had a 5th assembly appointment, but for the 3rd time in a row he was a no-show.

I will not reschedule again at this time).  I also met with 2 Senate Transportation Committee members. Most of these meetings were very encouraging.  I was able to get the newly-released Assembly committee assignments, and while there are some changes most are not relevant to our concerns. 

The Legislative Office Building was extremely crowded today (until the budget is done, everybody is there looking for money) with New York State United Teachers, United Auto Workers plus 2,000 people complaining about the New York City Housing Authority.  My last appointment was at 2PM and the plan was to spend the rest of the afternoon making next week's appointments, but due to the extreme crowding in most offices, and the difficulty in even traversing the halls, it was futile to try and speak to anyone, so I will make appointments by phone Wed and Thu.

I have been complimented more than once on our courteous and respectful behavior during the Freedom Rally in comparison to these other groups, but I can't help but wonder why they are so much more motivated than our membership.  I guess money is just a greater incentive than freedom.