George Elmer Pataki: The Inconsequential Governor – By George J. Marlin
Three days before the New York presidential primary, The New York Times published an above the fold article titled, “As State Primary Nears, Pataki is Barely Visible.” Rationalizing the former governor’s disappearing act, a Pataki spokesman said, “…I think he is more active with a national outlook rather than a state one.”
The real reason Pataki has become a political non-entity is that Republicans and Conservatives prefer to forget his years in office. They are angry that fiscally, economically and culturally, Pataki sold them down the river. They are ashamed of an administration that discarded principles and catered to enriching lobbyists, contributors and political cronies. They are embarrassed by this gruesome Pataki record:
Key Economic and Social Indicators
New York vs. 49 Other States
| State Business Tax Climate Index 2006 | New York is the worst |
| Cost of Doing Business Index | New York is second worst |
| Average cost of a worker’s comp. case 2001-2002 | New York is second highest |
| Average retail price of electricity, 2005 | New York is second most expensive |
| Average cost for auto insurance – 2003 | New York is second most expensive |
| U.S. Economic Freedom Index | New York is the worst |
| State and local tax burdens, 2002 | New York is the highest |
| Property taxes and sales taxes per capita, 2002 | New York is fifth highest |
| State taxes per capita and local taxes per capita | New York is the highest |
| State and local government spending per capita, 2002 | New York is second highest |
| State and local government debt per capita, 2002 | New York is second highest |
| Per-pupil spending | New York is second highest |
| Source: Data compiled by the Public Policy Institute of New York State, 2006 |
Governor Pataki’s political demise is well deserved. Not since Mayor John Lindsay left office in 1973, has a major New York political figure been swept so quickly into the dust bin of history. While former Governor Hugh Carey is revered and former Governor Mario Cuomo is relevant, former Governor George Pataki is inconsequential.
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