The proposals in Kieran Michael Lalor's commentary, "An election to change New York," July 4, would change state government for the worse.
Lalor suggests better government comes by paying legislators less and making government work as unattractive as possible, as if lawmakers don't have children to put through college or mortgages to pay, etc.
The days of volunteer citizen-legislators have been over for a century. With the complexities in governing today, we need to attract the best and brightest at all levels.
Though lawmakers haven't received a raise in 14 years and the cost of living has increased more than 50 percent, Lalor suggests legislators ought to accept 10 percent less and do away with other ordinary employment rights like pensions or reimbursement for travel and lodging. The writer seems to want the return of a part-time Legislature that rubber-stamped everything for an "all powerful" governor.
To some extent, the Legislature brought this disrepute unto itself by being too casual with those who abused their office and their oath. There must be no room in the Senate or the Assembly for anyone who would use his or her office for illicit activities. They should be rooted out and prosecuted.
However, the vast majority are good, honest, hard-working individuals. We need to encourage the best among us to pursue government as a vocation and not demonize the many due to the misdeeds of a few.
Full-time legislators with full-time responsibilities in Albany and their home districts should be paid accordingly, but outside income should be banned as was done in Congress.
Election laws must be established so that political campaigns do not devolve into auctions. The state should finally enact campaign finance reforms setting strict limits on contributions and spending and enacting partial public financing.
STEVEN SANDERS
Albany
The writer is executive director of the Agencies for Children's Therapy Services and a former member of the state assembly.