While Rome burns, Malcolm Smith and his state Senate pals will be touring the world. Despite the crippling fiscal crisis and the threat of massive MTA fare hikes, the Senate majority leader plans to lead a delegation of fellow Democrats to Puerto Rico next weekend — followed by outings to China, Israel and India.
The junket plans set off a firestorm of criticism.
“New York would be better served if they bought a one-way ticket,” said Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos (R-LI).
Sen. John Flanagan (R-LI) said, “I don’t need to travel outside of New York — and, frankly, I don’t think anyone does — to understand how important it is to try to create jobs here.
“That should be our overriding concern: create jobs, stimulate the economy and provide tax relief to people. If you have to go to India to figure that out, there’s something wrong.”
Smith unveiled his globetrotting plans yesterday during a City Hall news conference to announce the Senate’s new Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus.
“The state Senate in New York is no longer going to be shut down inside Albany,” Smith said. “We recognize that in the 21st century, the world is a part of what we are part of.”
Smith said the trip to meet Puerto Rican Gov. Luis Fortuno would be the first of several. “In September, October, I’ll be leading a delegation of 15 to 20 members going to Israel,” Smith said.
“Beyond that we’ll probably be going to China, India.”
Smith’s spokesman later insisted travel plans beyond the Puerto Rico trip had not been finalized.
The Senate leader at first suggested he might pay for the trips with the Senate’s taxpayer-funded travel account. But then he backed off, saying the senators would use personal funds or campaign war chests.
Asked by a reporter whether he was fiddling while Rome burned, the clueless Smith asked, “First of all, where is Rome burning?”
The closely divided Senate has emerged as the major roadblock to several critical initiatives in Albany, including the effort to bail out the cash-strapped MTA and avert a massive fare hike.
Smith said he hopes to get a vote on his latest bailout proposal next week before leaving for Puerto Rico.
Additional reporting by David Seifman in NY