By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer was in Buffalo Monday where he fielded a host of questions from the media. The Democratic gubernatorial candidate talked about many issues he says voters aren't real excited to hear about.
Spitzer gets fired up talking about stuff such as fiscal reform, transparency, and accountability of state authorities. Some other dull topics Spitzer says he'd focus on as governor would be energy, education and transportation. For starters, Spitzer is pushing for passage of the Transportation Bond Act that will be on the November ballot. If passed, the $2.9 billion bond would be used to finance projects across the state. He called the little-known bond issue an example of "good debt." Spitzer says his campaign will not shy away from talking about these kinds of dry but important issues.
"These are not issues that necessarily get the heart pounding at a rapid clip," Spitzer said. "Yet, they are important issues in terms of the structure of government, in terms of our fiscal stability and whether state government will be responsive to the needs of the public."
Fiscal constraints and reforms are also top issues for one potential gubernatorial challenger. Former independence party candidate Tom Golisano has said he may run again if Spitzer doesn't measure up. Spitzer acknowledged the two have talked. But he wouldn't say if their ideas agreed. So, how would the attorney general make government more responsive, more accountable? Spitzer says he'd bring the right people along to get the job done.
"The reason people have seen more important and interesting cases out of the AG's office over the past seven years is because I've brought with me lawyers who are smart, inquistive and dedicated to doing the right thing," Spitzer said. "That is something the governor can do by appointing the right people to authorities and commissions."
Spitzer also addressed his ongoing investigation into the alleged payola scandal. His settlement with SONY brought a ten million dollar settlement. It also exposed alleged illegal payoffs to stations, including Entercom's WKSE-FM. He says, with the FCC now involved, radio stations that accepted bribes to play songs could also face fines and or the loss of their FCC license.