Posted on 07/15/2006 11:10:32 AM PDT by neverdem
Departure of Paul Tokasz, majority leader since 2001, expected to set off jockeying for post
ALBANY -- Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz announced Thursday that he won't run for re-election, opening up a race for the chamber's No. 2 post.
Tokasz, a Democrat who served a western New York district for 18 years, was appointed to the post in 2001 by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Assemblyman Ron Canestrari of Cohoes, who now heads the Higher Education Committee, and Rochester-area Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, chairman of the Tourism Committee, are front-runners, according to lobbyists and legislators, who cautioned against trying to read Silver's intentions.
Canestrari said he is focusing on re-election and wishes Tokasz well. He was clearly interested in the post five years ago.
Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito of Rome is also in the mix. So are Assemblymen Paul Tonko of Amsterdam, Robin Schimminger of Kenmore and Thomas DiNapoli of Nassau County, several legislators and lobbyists said.
Assemblyman Richard Brodsky of Westchester County is also being mentioned.
"Generally the majority leader position has been a non-(New York) city position. Those of us in Long Island are in a geographic limbo," said DiNapoli, who is the Environmental Conservation Committee chairman. He and Canestrari were runners-up in 2001 when Tokasz got the job. Canestrari was named deputy majority leader at the time.
In 2001, Silver named Tokasz to replace Assemblyman Michael Bragman of Cicero. Bragman had attempted a coup to oust Silver in 2000 and was removed as a result.
Tokasz told reporters and colleagues on Thursday he plans to enjoy the freedom of not having to run and remain in the public eye.
"I may now be able to become less of a Type A personality," he said. "I will be able to enjoy the passage of time and to not have to worry about my next meeting, dinner, speech or parade."
The nine-term veteran said spending more time with his wife, children and grandchildren won out over returning to Albany with a Democratic governor in place.
The post comes with a $34,500 stipend and a car. Although it offers stature and a closer relationship with the speaker, it also involves the sometimes tedious task of shepherding members to their desks for votes.
James M. Odato can be reached at 454-5083 or by e-mail at jodato@timesunion.com.
Rape
Pillage
Move on
As he is the Assemblyman in my own district, I'll be really sad to see him go.</sarc>
Word is, based on his last few years of "service" in that lofty post, he'll have to get by with an pension of *only* $70,000...
Will the last person out of Western New York please turn out the lights?
The lights in Herkimer are already out.
Lewis Morris: [as John Hancock is about to swat a fly] Mr. Secretary, New York abstains, courteously.
[Hancock raises his fly swatter at Morris, then draws back]
John Hancock: Mr. Morris,
[pause, then shouts]
John Hancock: WHAT IN HELL GOES ON IN NEW YORK?
Lewis Morris: I'm sorry Mr. President, but the simple fact is that our legislature has never sent us explicit instructions on anything!
John Hancock: NEVER?
[slams fly swatter onto his desk]
John Hancock: That's impossible!
Lewis Morris: Mr. President, have you ever been present at a meeting of the New York legislature?
[Hancock shakes his head "No"]
Lewis Morris: They speak very fast and very loud, and nobody listens to anybody else, with the result that nothing ever gets done.
[turns to the Congress as he returns to his seat]
Lewis Morris: I beg the Congress's pardon.
John Hancock: [grimly] My sympathies, Mr. Morris.
LOL! Is that an actual dialogue from the Continental Congress or Constitutional Convention?
I don't know how historically accurate the quote is, but it's an accurate description :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.