I respect the state workers and I respect their unions, but we simply can't afford to pay benefits and pensions that are out of line with economic reality.

Lesson 1 from Spitzer: Don't alienate the legislature on Day 1.

Lesson from Pataki's success is: Use the political moment.

I respect the state workers and I respect their unions, but we simply can't afford to pay benefits and pensions that are out of line with economic reality.

I'm a harsh critic of the status quo.

There is energy and power in a crisis.

New York State is upside down and backwards; high taxes and low performance. The New York State government was at one time a national model. Now, unfortunately, it's a national disgrace. Sometimes, the corruption in Albany could even make Boss Tweed blush.