WELL, THAT’S GOOD: We still have Eliot Spitzer to kick around.

Sigh. It is almost too easy.

Spitzer Involved in Prostitution Ring

03/10/08
Last Update: 8:27 pm

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Times is reporting that Gov. Eliot Spitzer has told senior advisers that he had been involved in a prostitution ring.

Spitzer is scheduled to make an announcement this afternoon. Spitzer officials wouldn’t immediately comment on the story.

The 48-year-old Spitzer is married and has three daughters. Details about the prostitution ring were not immediately clear.

But last week, federal prosecutors in Manhattan filed conspiracy charges against four people accusing them of running a prostitution ring that charged wealthy clients in Europe and the U.S. thousands of dollars for prostitutes.

The Web site of the Emperors Club VIP displays photographs of the prostitutes’ bodies, with their faces hidden, along with hourly rates depending on whether the prostitutes were rated with one diamond, the lowest ranking, or seven diamonds, the highest.

Prosecutors say the most highly ranked prostitutes cost…

State GOP Senate: Read Our Lips

Republicans in the state Senate said yesterday they will oppose Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s proposal to increase the motor vehicle insurance fee from $5 to $20 on cars registered in New York.

Republicans seem to have found their war cry for this year’s elections: Oppose all new taxes and fees.

Already, the GOP is opposing an Assembly plan to increase income taxes on the rich. They are, however, joined by Spitzer on that one. Spitzer has said he will oppose any new taxes.

But the Republican senators, who hold just a one-seat majority in the Senate, are also taking aim at about $1.7 billion in new fees and “loophole” closers that Spitzer wants to enact to increase state revenue. They say the measure equates to a tax increase, yet they haven’t laid out how they would close the state’s $4.6 billion budget gap without it.

Still, they are…

Gov. rallies education troops on endowment plan

Gov. Eliot Spitzer led what was essentially a cheerleading session to get leaders of the State University of New York, City University of New York and other schools revved up about his plan to privatize the state Lottery and create a $4 billion education endowment. Legislative leaders have been wary and skeptical of the plan so far, saying they need more detailed information about how the endowment would work.

“We need your help,” Spitzer told educators during a conference call this afternoon. “This sort of transformational event doesn’t occur … unless there are enough voices being heard, articulating the need, demonstrating the support …”

The governor urged educators to work with alumni, write opinion pieces for newspapers, get faculty members involved in the campaign and reach out to their local business communities.

With an…

Governor’s Vision For Upstate Will Benefit Elmira, Mayor Tonello Says

Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plans to pump more than $1 billion into the Upstate economy, commit 200 state troopers to help local police fight crime, cut taxes, reduce state mandates for municipalities, and make New York a stronger draw for business and young people will benefit the City of Elmira in 2008 and beyond, Mayor John Tonello said today. “The governor’s vision is clear and his aim is true,” Tonello said. “He recognizes the problems upstate cities face, and his solutions provide relief and assistance where we need it most.” The mayor’s comments came after the governor delivered his State of the State address Wednesday afternoon in Albany. Click for the full release…

Clear vision? Aim is true? Sigh. Politicians sure do speak purty. How come there never is…

State clarifies stance on use of aircraft
The Commission on Public Integrity just issued an updated opinion on appropriate use of state aircraft, four months after its initial recommendations in response to the Troopergate/Spitzergate scandal. Aides to Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer were found to have compiled and released information, with help from the state police, about Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno’s use of aircraft in an attempt to damage the Rensselaer County Republican’s reputation.

The documents released by Spitzer’s staffers highlighted a few occasions last spring during which Bruno attended GOP fundraisers on the days he used a state helicopter. The practice was not in violation of ethics laws at the time, but the Commission on Public Integrity’s predecessor agency, the Ethics Commission, said officials should reimburse the state for parts of their trips that are not government business assuming that there is a bona fide state purpose for the travel.

The commission…

Magic-wand school of public finance

http://statepolitics.lohudblogs.com/2008/01/03/magic-wand-school-of-public-finance/

State Senate Republicans today wheeled out a plan that would seem to answer the prayers of property-tax payers around the state. They want to triple the property-tax rebates that were mailed to taxpayers this year, and over five years eliminate all school property taxes for homeowners.

What is the catch, you ask?

Well, there is a minor issue known as cost. The tab would be $11.6 billion after five years.

There’s no indication where the money would come to pay for any of it. A spokesman said it would come “out of the budget.’’ That would be $4 billion to be found somewhere next year, and then an additional $1.9 billion a year for four years after that.

The state is already facing a potential $4.3 billion deficit for the fiscal year that starts April 1.

“MR. CLEAN:” “It’s difficult to believe the levels of incompetence coming out of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s office in his first year and to cap things off we now learn the computers in his office have been scrubbed free of possibly incriminating email files surrounding the dirty tricks campaign against State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. Can you imagine the howls coming from the mostly left-leaning New York media if a Republican did this? Yes, so can I.”

SPITZER cozies up to lobbyists.

You know it’s bad when even the people paid to like you, don’t.   Spitzer universally hated by 92% of NY’ers did fill all the seats at his fundraising dinner he held (At a cost of 25,000 / 50,000 and even 100,000 a plate)  But amazingly, those lobbyists did not want to meet and greet with the govenor, they skipped the flesh pressing, and concentrated on the aides.  I am waiting for the news story describing the cur dog walking across the street to avoid having to be petted by Spitzer.

WHo wants to bet me that he does get re-elected though?  I say he will.  I mean, NY re-elected Pataki for what, 23 terms?

MORE PROBLEMS for Eliot Spitzer.