Two weeks ago, I wrote a column very critical of the NYS Legislature. Their record of failure for 20 years in a row to produce a budget on time, was part of the central theme I cited to illustrate their dysfunction.

I also referred to their failure to act upon the court’s direction to correct the State funding formula which inequitably provided for New York City school kids, as well as their inaction on the move to transfer private buses to the MTA.

I didn’t mention the scandals — both financial and sexual – which continue to haunt our legislature. Thank goodness, no Queens member has been caught in any for nearly two decades. But the moral and ethical standards of our governing body continue to shame us.

I didn’t mention the fact that they failed — without explanation — to enact the $400 New York City property tax homeowner rebate requested by the Mayor.

I pointed to the backroom deals made every 10 years by leadership whereby redistricting is done to ensure reelection of all incumbents thus maintaining a Democratic majority in the Assembly and a Republican majority in the Senate – perpetuating dysfunction.

It was amazing, but last year, the two opposing houses were able to agree upon and ratify a State budget over the objections of the Governor — of course, it was late.

I have frequently referred to the NYS Legislature as the 50th best in the nation. If that is too subtle for some, that would make it the worst legislature in the nation. My research indicates that no state can even approach our state’s record of failure to produce an on-time budget.

Although I really do not have the expertise to evaluate the performance of the other 49 states, I have been unable to find any that appears to be as dysfunctional as New York’s.

I’ve tried hard not to point out specific failure on the part of Queens legislators because as I’ve written, there are some fine people in a very broken system. As a matter of fact, in my commentary on the failure of the legislature I have identified the leadership as the ones that should be ousted. Although, those who enable them to remain in power, must be the next target of those who seek reform.

Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver from the Lower East Side and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno of Syracuse are the two who inherited the broken system and have not only failed to fix it, they have made it worse. I have pointed to Silver, apparently not a bad person, as the one we should hold accountable as well as those who continue to empower him. It was Silver who in 2001, led the Democratic Assembly into accepting a hands off deal allowing the Republican Senate to redraw their own map ensuring that for the next decade, the Senate would remain Republican in spite of the fact that the registration of the State is clearly Democratic. He did this in order to allow his Democratic Assembly members to all have free rides.

It was the same Silver who in 1999 led his Democratic Assembly to enact the repeal of the 30-year-old City commuter tax costing us more than two billion dollars.

In fact, in a fair redistricting of the State, both houses would likely go Democratic and almost all of Silver’s minions would be reelected. But that would mean some would have to face real opponents.

Instead, we continue with a do-nothing legislature mired in stalemate and inaction. Leadership, in spite of claims of reform, continues to call all the important shots. The system just doesn’t work.

It’s time for a change.
Since that column, I’ve talked to members of the Assembly.

Although every point I made was not necessarily applauded, the failure of Albany and specifically the leadership was acknowledged – but, not for attribution. Members quietly acknowledged how bad things are in Albany. They do however, express fear about openly opposing Silver, suggesting that not only would they lose any special perks but also that the funding to the people of their district would disappear. It seems good members — define that as loyal to the Speaker — are rewarded with extra money to provide their districts. On the other hand if an Assembly member votes or speaks their conscience, as opposed to the dictates of the Speaker, they could lose all of their member items — those goodies that the Assembly member gets to disperse to the programs at home.

So, mums the word. Shhhh!
One senior legislator went around suggesting that no member of the Assembly should speak to this paper because I had the audacity to criticize them.

Fear works up in Albany, so why not try it on the press?
Hey, there are two sides to the story and rather than stifle discussion, I invite those legislators who disagree with my criticism to write a column for the Trib — we’ll air your views. We believe there is much to be gained by listening to criticism. Do you? While you’re writing, please include an explanation of why the budget has been late 20 years in a row and members are not clamoring for change.

Less than a week after my column criticizing the legislature appeared, Jack Newfield took after them in the New York Sun. In a column titled: “Now’s the Time For Term Limits In the Legislature,” Newfield, one of the City’s most skilled, veteran observers, opened with:

”Enough is enough. It is time to consider term limits for this state Legislature of scandals, paralysis, noncompliance with court orders, and dereliction of duty.

In Albany, there are only two political parties — Incumbents and Insurgents. The Democrats and Republicans hunt together to gerrymander both houses to protect all the incumbents from competitive elections. They hunt together to make sure there is no public financing of elections to give challengers a fair chance.”

Newfield proposes three reforms: a nonpartisan independent commission to draw district lines on merits; a public-financing law to end the money advantage of incumbents; term limits for the members of the legislature.

Like Newfield, I am not a blind devotee of term limits. But they continue to grow on me. Often, it is the best, if not only way to end dysfunction.

Newfield explains, “Albany needs regime change . . . The Legislature is a blocked artery of democracy. It needs radical bypass surgery. Term limits is a lousy but necessary remedy to an extreme breakdown of democracy and leadership.”

Or perhaps, some courageous legislators — Assembly members and Senators from both parties — will come forward and join our chorus and denounce the legislature admitting there is indeed ... a plague on both their houses.

Michael Schenkler can be reached via this contact form.