By Mark Scott
Albany, NY – Governor Spitzer held a public meeting Wednesday with the leaders of the state Legislature.
They met on the second floor of the State Capitol to talk about what they all want to accomplish before the Legislature starts its summer vacation, now slated to begin on June 22.
There was no rancor at the 45-minute-long session. But there were disagreements. Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said he doesn't think it's possible to reach an agreement on campaign finance reform. Spitzer countered that an accord is possible.
"We've come close. We've drifted," Spitzer said. "But I think there is in my view fair room for agreement. We've disagreed on such issues as caps and where they should be. Conceptually, I think we're in the same ballpark."
Bruno said a death penalty for cop killers, property-tax rebates and a new operator for the state's race tracks should also be high on the agenda.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says the renewal of power subsidies for manufacturers and restricting access to guns were among the issues that should be addressed before the end of the session.