Up on the Board: Commission on Albany corruption, immigration bill’s fortunes

Tuesday July 2, 2013 12:06 PM By Anne Michaud

Photo credit: AP | Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) in Albany. (April 23, 2013)

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s formation of a commission to investigate corruption in state government – a Moreland Commission – has put a strain on his relationship with Senate co-leader Dean Skelos, the editorial board notes. Skelos is calling it a “witch hunt.” The investigation has a much broader focus than originally anticipated, with commission members deputized as Deputy Attorneys General and given subpoena power to examine witnesses under oath.

In other Albany news, the editorial board is watching for the first-ever filings by legislators that detail income earned from outside employment. The paperwork is due to be made public this week, based on a 2011 ethics law in the Capitol. However, we believe the filings may meet the letter not the spirit of the law. Apparently, they’re in a format that’s hard to search and tabulate.

Finally, we’re pessimistic about the fortunes of immigration reform in Washington, unless House Speaker John Boehner tosses aside the Hastert Rule to allow the bill to come to the floor. Because the GOP is so divided over immigration, the rule’s requirement for a “majority of a majority” to vote it into discussion will not likely be met.

MORE: Analysis and discussion from Viewsday | Newsday columnists | More opinion

CARTOONS: Walt Handelsman's Cartoons | National Cartoon Roundup

CONNECT: Subscribe to our e-mail list | Twitter | Facebook

To voice an opinion on any of the above, please fill in a comment in the section below, or email letters@newsday.com.

Up on the Board is the editorial board's blog about what we just discussed at our weekday morning meeting. These meetings are where we talk about the news of the day and hash out our positions for the opinion sections of Newsday, Newsday Westchester and amNew York.