ALBANY — Scandal-plagued state Sen. John Sampson may have set a new record for fecklessness — uttering just one word from the Senate floor during the last six-month legislative session.
“Aye,” was the only sound emanating from Sampson’s lips in 84 hours and 58 minutes of meetings, where 1,460 bills were passed, according to records compiled by the good-government group NYPIRG.
The terse remark by the Brooklyn Democrat came during a roll call vote on the Dream Act, which would have provided tuition aid to undocumented students had it passed.
Like every other legislator, Sampson collects a salary of $79,500, plus daily per diems when he’s in Albany.
A man of few words, Sampson had even less to say in public after being indicted last year on charges of embezzling funds from foreclosure sales when he served as a court-appointed referee.
Earlier this year, new charges were added of lying to the FBI about ownership of a liquor store.
He will stand trial next year.
Sampson told The Post he’s devoting his energies to helping needy constituents in his Brooklyn district, not to public speaking.
Among other things, he said he aided property owners hit by severe flooding in April and also is helping those still feeling the impact of Hurricane Sandy.
“What I’ve done in the past six months speaks loud and clear,” Sampson said.
While Sampson kept his thoughts to himself, Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) shared just about everything.
She was tracked as the Senate’s top talker, spilling out 27,199 words during the session. Krueger is known for her willingness to debate bills and start conversations on just about any issue.
Meanwhile, Assemblyman Jose Rivera (D-Bronx) didn’t introduce a single bill, while borough colleague Carmen Arroyo managed to sponsor just one piece of legislation.
Two other legislators from the city had the worst attendance records. State Sen. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan), who just lost a congressional primary to Rep. Charles Rangel, missed 891 votes and Assemblyman Micah Kellner (D-Manhattan), who was found to have harassed at least one female staffer, missed 937 votes.