Joe Bruno is gone - long live Dean Skelos!

That's what every special-interest pleader in the state must be shouting today, now that the Long Island Republican has ascended to Senate majority leader after Bruno's startling resignation this week.

And why shouldn't they cheer Skelos? They've got a fortune invested in him, via assorted campaign donations going back years...

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06262008/postopinion/editorials/a_new_boss_old_pals_117260.htm

2)
New G.O.P. Leader Says Mayor Has Pledged Support
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/nyregion/26skelos.html
(Interesting though: Farrell Sklerov, a spokesman for Mr. Bloomberg, said the mayor declined to comment on his conversation with Mr. Skelos.)

3)
Skelos comments in March 29 Newsday...his last on-record statement on the matter before the State Legislature's April inaction:

Asked if congestion pricing would pass the Senate, Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), a critic of the plan, said, "Right now, it's 50-50."
Skelos, the deputy majority leader, downplayed the danger of Bloomberg distancing himself from Senate Republicans if many defy him on congestion pricing. "The mayor is a friend because, as he has stated, we've done a lot of positive things for the city. ... I don't see a loss of friendship if that occurs."

And what's best--Simon has gave public testimony in support of congestion pricing at a City Council hearing in March.

It's a nascent effort--his website and campaign are still pulling into shape, but let's give him some serious attention and when the time comes, stand up, speak out, and give generously to his campaign. An underdog victory could be a true game-changer in Albany.

Skelos, a Rockville Centre native, has spent most of his career in politics.

Hopefully he's in favor of cool downtowns, then.

The reverse commute allows Long Island to use their labor, but if they get unemployed or sick the local share of the welfare or Medicaid burden hits residents of NYC.

Moreover, Long Islanders don't want city residents who work out there driving and congesting their roads. I was told this by someone from the Long Island Regional Planning Commision, which worked with DCP on a commuting study while I was there. Just like NYC's attitude toward in-commuters, they want the people but not the motor vehicle traffic.

"A passenger vehicle burns between 0.15 gallons of gasoline (in small cars) and 0.4 gallon (in pickups) per hour of idling, according to estimates by the Argonne National Laboratory, and car gurus "Click and Clack" of National Public Radio fame."

My point is that the argument that most people take transit into the CBD and will thus benefit from CP did not work. Since then oil has become an issue of gargantuan proportions. The new argument could be that if CP passes, drivers will sit in less traffic, reduce the gas they burn through less idling, and save money.
Or it could be some other way in which CP will reduce how much gas somebody has to buy.

Another benefit for the freeloaders of New York City, he would probably claim. But I'm sure he'll allow it in exchange for slashing NYC's state school aid while increasing it for the rest of the state, as in the two previous recessions.

What's Skelos' position on East Side Access for LIRR?

I'm assuming also that he supports avoiding fare hikes and increased parking fees at LIRR stations too...