Recently in class we have discussed the leadership style of Andrew Cuomo. In an article in the NY times from Saturday his choices for his transition team are discussed and evaluated. We would hope that someone who will be a good leader will choose the proper appointees to help him create the best team that he could. “He described them as experienced leaders with broad experience in the public and private sectors, selected to help him recruit the best and brightest New Yorkers to his new administration.” The problem is that almost half of these people are lobbyists or part of groups that lobbied the state government in the last year. Many of these people have contributed money to Cuomo’s campaign. However, there is no rule or law against doing this. It is also said, “Mr. Cuomo had relied relatively little on academic experts from outside New York who might have fewer ties to organizations with business before the state.”
These individuals will be responsible for appointing the new administration. Is it possible that they will separate their own interests from those of the residents of New York? That will not be determined for some time. I think this shows a flaw in the leadership of Cuomo, especially as a leader in the public sector. The public sector has a responsibility towards those that it is supposed to serve. Are Cuomos’ appointments for his transition committee in opposition to serving the people of New York to the best of his ability?
Farah
Appointing people who contributed to a campaign in the norm and expected. I don't believe there is any conflict in donating to a campaign if you're a public official. Most importantly, the fact they were lobbyists is not nearly as large a negative as you (and many other writers) assume. If someone has lobbied a state house, they know the players and you would assume they know how to get stuff done. Taking a bunch of inexperienced aides to Albany would make his governorship a laughing stock almost instantly. Albany can eat people alive and Cuomo will have to be ready for it.
ReplyDeleteI would argue that taken a bunch of inexperienced officials to Albany is would be the exact opposite of "serving the people of New York to the best of his ability."