[LocalLeagueVoterService] (no subject)

[Laura]

Hi all-
Barbara Bartoletti, LWVNYS Legislative Director, was recently quoted in a
New York Times article abut the recent hiring of Senator Espada's son (the
son has since resigned from this position). Since publication of the
article, Barbara has received at least 2 complimentary emails about the
League and its work (and her). I have cut and pasted the emails, as well as
the actual article. It's nice to hear that people appreciate our good work -
and thought we should share the compliments.

"I am just writing this email to show my support of your words printed in
the New York Times regarding the hiring of Perdro Espada Jr.'s son to the
Senate intergovernmental affairs office.  As a taxpayer I am outraged, and
have sent several letter to Mr. Espada Jr. since the Senate coup, only to
receive no reply.  I am glad someone is standing up to his corruption and is
being heard.
Sincerely,
Leif Van Cott"

"Dear Ms. Bartoletti,
I became familiar with you through references in  Jay Galleghar's book
"Politics of Decline", and I am thankful for the work you do.  I just read
about Sen. Pedro Espada's son hired as an intergovernmental liaison in the
New York Times.  I read your quotes in that article and they made me laugh
as I cried.  This is a simple note encouraging you to keep strong in the
face of this corruption.  I  want you to know that I think you and your
staff do incredibly important work, and I pray that you do not despair  for
New York.  I also say that prayer for myself.   I  hope that someday our
government will work as a thoughtful democracy instead of the corrupt
oligarchy that exists now.
I Thank you and thank your associates for the important work you do.

With profound respect,
David Bliss Jr"

Espada’s Son Gets $120,000 Senate Staff Job
Published: August 11, 2009 in New York Times

ALBANY — Weeks after Senator Pedro Espada Jr. helped resolve a standoff in
the State Senate by ending his alliance with Republicans and rejoining the
Democratic caucus, his son was hired to a senior position on the Democrats’
central staff, Senate aides confirmed on Tuesday.

His son, Pedro G. Espada, is a former state assemblyman and New York city
councilman who currently works for Soundview HealthCare Network, a nonprofit
group founded by Senator Espada. On Aug. 6 — less than a month after Senator
Espada returned to the Democrats — Pedro G. Espada, 35, joined the Senate
payroll as deputy director of intergovernmental relations, a job that pays
$120,000 a year. The position had been created recently.

Senate officials denied that the younger Mr. Espada was hired as part of
deal with Senator Espada, who became Senate majority leader after rejoining
the caucus. But they declined to answer detailed questions about the
circumstances of Pedro G. Espada’s hiring, such as whether he was a
candidate for the job before Senator Espada returned to the Democratic
caucus.

The hiring was reported this week by New York magazine.

Selvena N. Brooks, a spokeswoman for John L. Sampson, the Senate Democratic
conference chairman, said in a statement that “candidates have been
interviewed for a number of positions, including for intergovernmental
operations.”

Mr. Sampson approved the hiring decision, Ms. Brooks said, “based on his
experience as a former legislator and private sector entrepreneur.”

Senator Espada, who faces investigations related to Soundview and to his
campaign finance practices, said in a statement that he had not been
involved in the decision to hire his son.

“This is not the result of a quid pro quo or a contingency to my ending the
Senate stalemate,” Senator Espada said. “If my son did not qualify for this
position, he would not have gotten the job. He interviewed with Senate
personnel and was hired by the Senate — not by me — on his own merits,
qualifications, experience and background as a former public servant and
successful entrepreneur.”

In his new position, Pedro G. Espada, who is expected to resign his job at
Soundview as of Friday, serves as a liaison to other branches of government
and to other elected officials around the state. The decision to hire him
was made as Senate Democrats have been exploring ways to reduce their staff,
following a power-sharing agreement that will require the Democrats to give
Republicans a greater share of resources.

“I think it is one of the worst examples of abuse of power and nepotism I’ve
seen, and that comes from a man who is already ethically challenged,” said
Barbara Bartoletti, the legislative director for the League of Women Voters
of New York State, a government watchdog group.

“We have a $2 billion deficit in this state,” she added. “He is going to be
a liaison to government? What does that mean, exactly? I guess it is a
made-up job.”

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: August 13, 2009
An article on Wednesday about the hiring of Pedro G. Espada, the son of New
York State Senator Pedro Espada Jr., to a position on the Senate staff just
weeks after his father helped resolve a legislative standoff by ending his
alliance with Republicans and returning to the Democratic caucus referred
incorrectly to the $120,000-a-year job. The post, deputy director of
intergovernmental relations, was created recently; it is not a position that
had been vacant.





Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director
League of Women Voters of New York State
62 Grand Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 465-4162
(518) 465-0812
www.lwvny.org
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