Spitzer sworn in as New York’s 54th governor

[cal04]

Democrat Eliot Spitzer, vowing to "replace delay and diversion with energy and purpose," was sworn in as New York's 54th governor during a private ceremony at midnight Sunday at the governor's mansion.

"Day one has begun," Spitzer said to a resounding cheer after being sworn in. "It is a joy to be here. It will be exciting. I will do my best as the public has asked me to do."

U.S. District Court Justice Robert W. Sweet issued the oath of office. Sweet had last done so in 1984, when Spitzer served as his law clerk.

The ceremony took place in front of executive mansion's fireplace, where photos of former Gov. George Pataki and his family have been replaced with Spitzer family photos.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stspitz0101,0,1464855.story?coll=ny-top-headlines

[Nite Owl]

1. A new day!

We are going to the public inauguaral tomorrow, should be exciting. (Though the whole parking thing is going to be a nightmare!)

[eleny]

2. How exciting for NYS!

History of NYS governors http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_New_York

Now Spitzer takes his place in this history. Kick ass, Eliot!

[Eurobabe]

3. Go Eliot!! Great day for New York State!!

Congrats everyone!

[stranger]

4. lets see what he does about yuppie gentrification of nyc

Like maybe some damned rent controls??

[Eurobabe]

5. yes, the article mentions affordable housing

I hope that includes affordable housing options in NYC for those who have been pushed out. Philly is doing it, so why can't New Yawk?

[cal04]

6. Spitzer Signs Orders on Ethics and Open Government

Eliot Spitzer signed five executive orders in his first morning as governor of New York, including orders establishing a number of ethical guidelines for state workers and making the government more open to the public.

During a signing ceremony about 8:45 a.m. at the executive mansion, Mr. Spitzer said he was fulfilling a promise “that one of the first acts I would take as governor, officially, was to put in place a series of ethics guidelines and strictures that would begin the process of restoring government to what it should be, which is responsive, open, transparent, available to the public and to the extent feasible, insulated from the influence of improper gifts and contributions.”

“I am hoping that others in other branches will join me in this,” he added.

He signed the orders on a desk once used by Theodore Roosevelt, in a room of the mansion known as the History Room, which also includes a wheelchair used by Franklin D. Roosevelt. After Mr. Spitzer signed the orders and answered some questions, he strode out of the room, but he and his wife, Silda, were drawn back in after his dogs — Jesse (bichon frisé) and James (wheaten terrier) — bolted in and began barking at members of the news media.



http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/01/nyregion/01cnd-eliot.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[Jim Lane]

7. I was happy to support him, but he still faces a major obstacle....

Joe Bruno, the Majority Leader of the State Senate.

New York State has an extremely dysunctional government. The accepted catchphrase is "three men in a room" -- the Assembly Speaker (a Democrat), the Senate Majority Leader (a Republican), and the Governor (whatever). Even if most of the Republicans in the Senate support a bill, Bruno can stop it from coming to a vote, and the Republicans will meekly fall in line.

Spitzer can make a difference through executive orders, appointments, etc., but there's a real danger of a legislative bottleneck. The bright side is that we picked up a Senate seat in 2006 and have a decent chance of retaking a Senate majority in 2008.