Fore!
Albany is broke and the budget is four months past deadline — but that didn’t stop state lawmakers from hitting the links yesterday to shake down lobbyists and special-interest groups for big bucks.
Democrats and Republicans alike, vying for control of the narrowly divided state Senate, held their annual golf fund-raisers.
And they hit up donors dependent on legislative action to tee off with them. But those pressured to “pay to play” were the ones who were teed off.
“Rome is burning, and we are eating clams casino and drinking speed-rack gin and playing with some real bad golfers,” said one insider invited to both golf fund-raisers.
The state Senate’s Democrats held their bash at the Wiltwyck Golf Club in historic upstate Kingston, the first seat of state government.
The Dems charged $5,000 for a foursome, $1,500 for an individual golfer, $1,000 for just cocktails and dinner, and $750 for tee sponsorship.
Democrats hold a one-seat majority in the Senate, and the battle for control of the chamber is expected to be intense in November.
The bottom of the Dems’ invitation noted that “individuals and PACs may contribute $94,200 per calendar year” to their campaign committee.
The Republicans were competitive with the Dems in their pay-to-play rates at the Albany Country Club in Voorheesville, a few long drives from the state Capitol.
The GOP charged $5,000 for a foursome and dinner, $1,500 for the individual rate, $500 for “hole sponsor only,” $500 for dinner only and $250 for snacks and beverages.
The invitation urged donors to “please join” Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos, campaign chairman Sen. Tom Libous of Binghamton, event chair Mike Nozzolio of the Finger Lakes, and Brooklyn Sen. Marty Golden, among others.
It was an all-day GOP affair, with a continental breakfast and early tee-off that began at 7:30 a.m., brunch at 11:30 a.m., afternoon “shotgun” tee-off at 1 p.m., cocktails at 5:30 and dinner at 6.
For donors looking to hedge their bets, both events happening on the same day was a nightmare.
“The parties want to know which side you’re on,” an invitee said.
Even though his name was on the invitation, Sen. Golden said he was in his Brooklyn district, not on the golf course. But he defended the event.
“This goes on every year. You’ve got to be able to fund-raise,” Golden said.
But he added, “It’s an absolute disgrace we don’t have a budget.”
Denis Hughes, head of the New York AFL-CIO, showed up at the GOP outing, an observer said.
Labor leaders also attended the Democrats’ outing.
The legislators were scheduled to return to Albany today to address budget issues. But it was unclear whether the Senate had the votes to pass a tax-and-spending plan.