Governor Getting Wired

- Governor Paterson clarified the remarks from his radio interview with Fred Dicker in which he said that he'd change the NYRA franchise deal if he could. Though he asserted that he wouldn't have picked NYRA, he conceded "that deal is basically done." But he of course gave no clue as to when we can expect a final settlement. When does that latest temporary extension expire?

The governor also indicated that he expects to have a decision on the Aqueduct racino by the end of the legislative session on June 23. That's in contradiction to the report in the AP that specifically named the racino decision as one likely to be put off until after the November elections. I'd really like to believe Paterson on this, but considering that the racino has been put off for one reason or another for years, I can't say that I'm very confident.

What I found particularly discouraging was that, in criticizing NYRA, Paterson spouted the usual script about NYRA's history of corruption and failure, as if straight out of a Capital Play TV ad. Without absolving NYRA of their fair share of the blame, it seemed to me like the kind of talk which indicates that, like his predecessor, the current governor has not shown any interest whatsoever in exploring the underlying problems that have plagued the industry in the state. Meet the new boss....

Many Republicans are now expressing feelings of deja vu as well, that in reaction to Paterson's unilateral directive to state agencies to provide the same rights to gay couples legally married in other venues as they do for heterosexual married couples. And three cheers from this corner for the governor in this case. Opponents are comparing the order to ex-Governor Spitzer's move to issue driver's licenses to illegal aliens in the way in which Paterson bypassed the legislative branch. Senator Bruno, an opponent of gay marriage, displayed restraint in the recent spirit of cooperation in Albany; but still said that the Senate will review the implications of Paterson's order and "if necessary, we will test it" legally. [NY Daily News]

A lawyer for the anti-gay marriage Alliance Defense Fund told the Times: “He’s trampling on the democratic process.” Don't you just love when people invoke democracy in the course of telling others how to live their lives? I could go on, but.....

....It's Friday! And it's like summer in the city this evening, with clear skies, balmy temperatures, and the summer-long River to River Festival, the most prominent of the annual downtown cultural series that have sprung from the ashes of 9/11, swinging into full gear. Tonight, at the South Street Seaport, it's the venerable British band Wire, who have only been around, on and off, for around 30 years now. And, it's free! So I'm off to meet the Head Chef for some outdoor rock and roll. Have yourself a great night!