Richard Brodsky: 24 days (Tim Wiencis)
Jose Peralta : 10 days (
)
ALBANY — Attorney-general hopefuls Richard Brodsky and Eric Schneiderman are among the Legislature’s biggest truants this year, often skipping out on their current jobs as they seek higher office, a Post analysis has found.
Brodsky, a Westchester assemblyman, missed three out of every 10 session days for a total of 24 absences, making him the sixth-most truant member in the 150-seat Assembly, according to voting records.
Schneiderman, a Manhattan senator, was absent or excused on six of this year’s 80 session days, tying him for the Senate’s second-worst record.
Not counted on Schneiderman’s record was his late arrival May 28, which denied a crucial vote to the chamber’s slim Democratic majority and delayed action on a measure needed to restore funding to state parks slated for closure.
Schneiderman’s attendance record benefited that day from cushy Senate rules that allow lawmakers to “check in” at the very beginning or at the end of a session day. He was officially excused June 18, again contributing to the delay of a key budget vote.
Schneiderman posted perfect attendance in 2009.
Both men have spent months jockeying for donations and support in an intense five-way contest for the Democratic nomination to succeed Andrew Cuomo as attorney general.
Other aspirants for higher office topped the Legislature’s MIA list.
Sen. José Peralta Jr. (D-Queens) missed 10 of 28 Assembly sessions before beating Hiram Monserrate in a March 16 special election and joining Schneiderman in the upper house.
Since taking his Senate seat, Peralta’s attendance has been perfect.
Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV admitted his campaign to unseat Rep. Charlie Rangel helped keep him out of Albany on 25 of 79 session days this year.
“That happens to everyone who has an office and is running for another one,” Powell said.