Expensive pettiness
Albany County District Attorney David Soares exercised his legitimate authority in firing an assistant prosecutor who breached his tough policy in the handling of DWI cases.
Mr. Soares also saw fit to withhold the fired employee's unused vacation pay, which amounts to $5,760. On that, the County Legislature reversed Mr. Soares as a result of a grievance, and awarded the employee the accrued vacation time. He sued.
And lost.
And now he wants to appeal.
This spat, which required both sides hiring outside counsel, has already cost taxpayers about $15,800.
While we understand Mr. Soares' concern for the independence of his office, this is really the wrong fight. What's at issue is the taking away of time an employee earned. That's wrong, and the County Legislature was right to say so.
Shield Law working
Of the laws in 49 states and the District of Columbia protecting journalists confidential sources, New York's is regarded as the best. In its latest test, a Fox News reporter who covered the 2012 massacre in a Denver area movie theater was ordered by a Colorado court to disclose how she learned of a notebook allegedly kept the admitted gunman. Because she is based in New York, the reporter sought protection under New York's Shield Law.
New York's top court ruled last week in her favor. It's an important affirmation by this state of the rights of a free press.
No paying for access
It sounded like just another example of the "pay-to-play" culture that plagues the state Legislature, except this time, it was in the executive branch: Companies could get special access to public officials — if they forked over $15,000 to help underwrite a conference co-sponsored by the state Health Department.
Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, the co-chair of the state's anti-corruption Moreland Commission, rightly called the arrangement, which was reported last week by the Times Union's James M. Odato, "tone deaf."
Apparently people higher up in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration agreed. The reception will now be open to all conference attendees.