What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

Without Per Diem Albany will be a Ghost Town

I heard that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Leaders of the NYS Legislative are in deep negotiations regarding pay increases for us the members of the NYS Legislature.

You should know that we as  Legislators have not  had a salary increase for more than ten years and that the hypocrisy of many of my colleagues is to say “NO”  when asked if they will like to see their salary increased, even though most of them,  just like me are in favor and wishing for it to happen soon.

The reason for their hypocrisy is that for  many of them, per diem has become a “God Send” because they have found a “legal”  and a “transparent” way in which to abuse the system and not be punished for it.

You should see, my dear readers, how many of those so call puritan Legislators have moved their families to Albany,  while others have purchased  houses, apartments and condominiums by using and abusing the  per diem allowance.

It is amazing to see how when there is a two day session, e.g. Monday and Tuesday, how many Legislators stay for the whole five days  just to be able to collect $165 per day.

You should know that some Legislators collect on top of their salary anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 yearly in per diem income.  To be able to do this they have moved and centralized their staff in Albany, while abandoning their constituents and their district, coming back to their local district only during some weekends for one or two activities or during election time.

Gov. Cuomo and the Leaders should not only propose to  increase the salary to $100,000+ and eliminate the per diem, but they should also request for the Legislators to be full time; making it illegal to hold any other outside job.  

If this happens, I am afraid that Albany will become a Ghost Town.  “The Racket” I mean, the excuses of staying in Albany to collect the per diem will be over, Legislators will run back home every week  the same day that session ends and the budget will be on time every year without too much fight.  After June they would have no reason before January to go back to Albany because there would be no per diem to collect.

You should know that by doing this the State will save a lot of money.  The people of the state will win because they will have Legislators full time working in their districts and after June, when session ends,  they would have no reason to go back to Albany before January, because there would be no per diem to collect and Albany will become a “Ghost Town.”

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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What You Should Know
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York  
ESPADA WINS EVEN IF HE LOSES


You should know that when Andrew Cuomo was the New York State Attorney General he used his power, influence, title, and office of the Attorney General to go after Senator Pedro Espada accusing him of stealing $14 million dollars.

During the weeks that followed Andrew Cuomo’s announcement, newspapers (including Hispanic ones), television media (including Hispanic ones) and almost every reporter (including Hispanic ones) went after Pedro Espada.

They would stakeout his house, his office, and his business.  They even went where he was dining.  They had a field day with Pedro Espada.  They called him crooked. They called him a thief.  They tried their best to convince the community that Senator Pedro Espada stole $14 million dollars – because the Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said so.

You should know that Gustavo Rivera, who ran against Pedro Espada, used the $14 million dollar issue throughout his campaign calling Pedro Espada a crook.  He defeated Pedro Espada by campaigning about the $14 million dollars that our former Attorney General Andrew Cuomo accused him of stealing.

After weeks and weeks of persecution and mockery, Pedro Espada was accused of only stealing half a million dollars.  Not one single news reporter or media organization, not even Hispanic ones, had the courage or the decency to question Andrew Cuomo’s integrity and motive about what happened to the $14 million dollars.

“I am pretty sure that if it were another individual from another race, things would have been different.”

You should know that this gets even better.  After weeks and weeks of a jury trial, the New York media, especially the New York Post, have been trying to influence the jury by publicizing only what the prosecutor stressed, and never indicating any rebuke of the defense.  By doing this, they are trying to make sure that the jury will finally condemn Senator Espada.  But in spite of all this, even the jury can’t seem to get it together and make a final decision about Pedro Espada.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is an indication that there is doubt in peoples’ minds.  The community is questioning Andrew Cuomo’s motive and integrity in accusing Pedro Espada of stealing $14 million dollars.

Please understand that members of the community know that Pedro Espada has been the victim of a political witch hunt and political vengeance for his participation in the 2009 Senate coup.
I believe that even if the jury now finds Pedro Espada guilty, he has already won in the eyes of his community.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.  
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