In "An end-of-session agenda," June 2, the Times Union says passing major legislation will raise public opinion of the Legislature.
The editorial suggested passage of eight items; most at that time had not even been introduced as bills. I disagree completely. Legislators get little respect because few members are seen developing policies for the state.
New York has largely abandoned legislative democracy where proposals are written into bills, discussed in committees, aired in hearings, and debated in each house of the Legislature, all in full public view and followed in the media over many months.
Instead, New York's major laws are made by legislative leaders and the governor behind closed doors. Members are reduced to privately pleading their concerns with the leaders and staff or meeting in closed party conferences.
New York's secretive process culminates like a Chinese People's Congress: Messages of Necessity hide bills from members and the public, and "three men in a room" pack most of the session into a few votes presented to members as "take it or risk your pay, staff, furniture and any voice for your constituents."
Without public process laws and government lose legitimacy.
I ask members to vote against bills not exposed to the public legislative process.
Tom Oliphant
Albany