Here is a clip of Carla Palumbo, Democratic Leader in the Monroe County Legislature, discussing the last minute introduction of the Maggie Brook’s budget busting proposal at the legislature special session. Carla spoke immediately after Haney’s motion was denied. It is a little slow as first but the highlights of this 4 minute clip are:

0:22 seconds - she says she is disappointed to have received less than an hours notice. She maintains that the intercept is illegal (as we have seen the school boards are gearing up to sue Monroe County).

2:00 minutes - She starts getting revved up with comments on the irrevocable nature of the intercept.

At 2:45 she asserts that the intercept only works if tax revenue declines. Meaning if we head towards bankrupcy, as opposed to prosperity, it works.

At 3:00 - If the administration wanted open and honest resolution then it would not have just voted down the opportunity for community dialogue.

Here is the clip - it is 4 mins - see for yourself. I’ll get some more clips up on Wednesday.

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What really upsets me about this is the lack of community engagement and being force fed this solution.

Check out the to comments section in this post. People are even getting asked things like Well, what would you propose. That is an unfair question - much like Maggie’s plan. I don’t have access to Maggie’s budget, the legal minds, nor do I have access to anyone’s hidden agenda - I have limited information to make a decision.

What I do have access to is my senses - Like that expression if it looks and smells like a pig - well It’s a pig.

I want fair, I want open above board involvement of the community. I want honesty. I do not see that from this administration and frankly Republicans as illustrated by the national leadership in general. Are there exceptions? probably but I don’t know where they are.

What I do know is a plan is introduced and in a couple of hours it is passed without considering the opposition points of view.

That, in a democracy, is wrong. That isn’t F.A.I.R that is foul. That is what rulers do. Not what governing bodies do.