This was originally published by Ithaca Journal on August 19, 2010.
Attorney General candidate Brodsky brings campaign to Ithaca
In a five-horse race, it’s hard to stand out from the pack, but Richard Brodsky is confident his reputation as a reformer will allow him to nose ahead and become New York’s next attorney general when voters go to the polls in November.
The Democratic assemblyman from Westchester was in the Ithaca area Wednesday to outline his strategy to become New York’s lawyer and work not only for the state’s administrators, but also for its citizens.
If all voters want is someone to act as a defender or prosecutor to protect the state’s interests, Brodsky said any of his four opponents could fit the bill.
“If you want someone who can address the things that matter in the daily lives of New Yorkers, to fundamentally change institutional failings, to build consensus, involve the public and make things happen, then I’m your guy,” Brodsky said.
Brodsky admitted that much about Albany is broken, but he said politics isn’t the only problem. The way the budget is structured—based on legal rulings that prevent legislators from making amendments to the governor’s proposal and force them to rely on delay—is also to blame, he said, and as attorney general he could be involved in fixing that.
He pointed to the emergence of the Authorities Budget Office, which Brodsky helped initiate, as an example of how the government could be brought into check.
Brodsky said he would like to use his authority of attorney general to investigate corruption and initiate further reforms in areas like utility pricing, property taxes and personal privacy.
He also advocates the use of constitutional amendments as tools for change, saying they are ideal ways to involve the public in the debate and avoid the production of laws that look good on paper but prove useless when applied.
His proposals include an investigation into the way energy prices are set by the Independent System Operator corporation, a move Brodsky believes could save New Yorkers $2 billion a year.
“I’m not going to be afraid to stand up to corporations or the governor,” Brodsky said. “I’m not running for governor next; this is the job I want.”
Current Attorney General Andrew Cuomo will be in Ithaca on Thursday to speak about his run for governor, and one of Brodsky’s challengers, Eric Schneiderman, will make a campaign stop next Monday.
The other major-party candidates are Republican nominee Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan and Democrats Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, former state Insurance Superintendent and former Deputy Attorney General Eric DiNallo, attorney Sean Coffey, state Sen. Eric Schneiderman.
