A Second Chance

On March 17, David Paterson, CC ‘77 and an adjunct professor at the School of International and Public Affairs, was sworn in as governor of New York state. Paterson’s ties to Columbia extend beyond his time as a student to his continued connections with the University as state senator for West Harlem, and his record of public service should give Columbians cause for optimism. Paterson must make the most of popular support to get state government moving again in the aftermath of Eliot Spitzer’s downfall.

Both New York’s first African-American governor and its first blind governor, Paterson is entering office with a relatively clean slate and a spate of all-around goodwill. Known for his approachability, Paterson is seen as a sharp contrast—and a welcome change—to Eliot Spitzer, whose 14 months in office were marred by his uncompromising attitude toward the state legislature. Furthermore, Paterson’s 20 years of experience in the state Senate, four of them as minority leader, equip him with an intimate understanding of the legislature that Spitzer sorely lacked. Despite recent revelations of Paterson’s extramarital affairs and the possible misuse of campaign funds, the public’s support for the new governor testifies to its desire for a return to normalcy. Paterson must capitalize on his experience and positive reception to tackle his first major tests as governor: negotiating with lawmakers to close a multibillion-dollar deficit, and passing the $124 billion budget left behind by Spitzer.

Paterson’s connections to Columbia, Morningside Heights, and New York City as a whole give him a firsthand understanding of the city’s needs. Where Spitzer launched tirades against Mayor Bloomberg, Paterson—a supporter of Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan—is expected to develop a better working relationship with the mayor. Having called for a moratorium on eminent domain during his time as a state senator, Paterson is also well versed on an issue of close concern to the University. At the same time, Paterson’s commitment to the $1 billion upstate New York economic-revitalization plan should allay concerns that he will be biased toward New York City. In his new role, Paterson should continue to push for the causes he championed as lieutenant governor, while building a broad coalition for statewide reform.

As Paterson stressed during his inauguration speech, “There is work to be done.” In 2006, the people of New York entrusted Spitzer and Paterson with an electoral mandate to clean up Albany. With Spitzer down for the count, that task falls to Paterson. Spitzer’s abrasive approach proved ineffective in an executive, but Paterson shows promise to deliver on what his predecessor could not. Should he succeed in breaking the legislative gridlock, Paterson will have made his alma mater proud.