Do I read this right? Spitzer is attempting to fight off lobbyist with donors money? Is Albany that twisted and corrupt that he has to fight them off like this? My God this is worse than I thought. It reminds me when County Executive Giambra hired lobbyist to represent Erie County. Where the hell are our assemblymen and senators?

Spitzer taps big, powerful for funds

Gov. Eliot Spitzer is gathering campaign cash at $1,000 a head, and he’s getting it with help from major developers, lobbyists and lawmakers.

A Dec. 3 fundraiser at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Pavilion for the governor’s campaign committee is being billed as a “winter gala celebrating New York’s history of groundbreaking innovation.” The first major historical event listed as worthy of celebrating: the creation of the New York Stock Exchange in 1792.

Last year, Spitzer dipped into his campaign account to battle an estimated $10 million lobbying effort by health care powerhouses fighting his proposed Medicaid cuts.

The cash raised at next month’s reception and dinner may give him a cushion for a second round of trouble with the same health care advocates as he puts his second budget together and warns of more cuts.

Indeed, concerns about declining Wall Street revenue hurting the state’s bottom line could lead Spitzer to propose a budget that is far more conservative than his first.

Those helping him raise cash include several developers, including mall builder and Pyramid Cos. owner Robert Congel and lobbyist Patricia Lynch and her associate, former Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz. Others lobbying in Albany on the long list of people raising funds for the gala include Steve Sanders, David Weinraub and Steve Weingarten. Lawmakers pitching in include Assembly members RoAnn Destito, Joseph Morelle, Sam Hoyt and former Assemblyman Ryan Karben.

If you insist …

Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith was in no rush last week to explain how he got to Washington, D.C., when Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced the end of his plan to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.

Asked how he and his boss got to the Spitzer event, Smith’s press officer, Curtis Taylor, was reluctant to provide information, and quickly ended a call from a reporter about the matter. But later he said Smith purchased a commercial ticket with his campaign funds. Taylor said he flew on a commercial flight and paid his own way.

The purpose of Smith’s appearance in Washington was to attend a national legislator’s association meeting. Since he was in town, he also sat down with the New York congressional delegation to listen to Spitzer’s presentation, Taylor said.

Spitzer took a state airplane to make his announcement on the national stage.

The plane was pretty full: Michael Balboni, Christine Anderson, Danny Kanner and Marty Mack were among those aboard. Errol Cockfield Jr. traveled separately on a commercial aircraft.

The trip was official business and required no reimbursement to taxpayers, said Anderson, Spitzer’s director of communications.

Capitol Confidential was reported and compiled by Capitol Bureau reporter James M. Odato, jodato@timesunion.com; 518-454-5083.

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