The Government and Politics of New York State

Joseph F. Zimmerman

Description

In this updated edition of his classic text, Joseph F. Zimmerman offers a balanced presentation of the institutions and political processes of the Empire State. He begins with an overview of the state and offers chapters on federal-state and interstate relations; state-local relations; the constitution; political parties, elections, and interest groups; the state legislature; the governor; the "fourth branch" (the departments and agencies of the executive branch); the judiciary; and state finance, including state-local fiscal relations. Zimmerman emphasizes the legal foundations of the state as they influence greatly the behavior of leading public officers and interest groups. Most importantly, constitutional restrictions on the state legislature and local governments are examined, as well as the ingenious ways by which several restrictions upon the state legislature have been circumvented.
Preface
Acknowledgments

1. The Empire State

2. Federal-State and Interstate Relations

3. State-Local Relations

4. The Fundamental Document

5. Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups

6. The Legislature

7. His Excellency the Governor

8. The Fourth Branch

9. Justice for All 

10. Financing the State

Notes
Bibliography
Index

Sujets

• USA
• United States of America
• Local history
• Region
• History of the Americas
• Regional
• États-Unis

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 27 mars 2008
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791478462
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

The Government and Politics of New York State    SECOND EDITION

Joseph F. Zimmerman

The Government and Politics of New York State

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The Government and Politics of New York State

Second Edition

Joseph F. Zimmerman

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2008 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address State University of New York Press, Albany, NY www.sunypress.edu

Production by Diane Ganeles Marketing by Anne M. Valentine

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Zimmerman, Joseph Francis, 1928– The government and politics of New York State / Joseph F. Zimmerman. — 2nd ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7914-7435-8 (hardcover : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-7914-7436-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. New York (State)—Politics and government—1915– 2. New York (State)—History. I. Title

JK3425.Z56 2008 320.9747—dc22

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2007025426

For Peggy

In appreciation for her continuing support

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Preface Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10

Notes Bibliography Index

C ONTENTS

The Empire State

Federal-State and Interstate Relations

State-Local Relations

The Fundamental Document

Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups

The Legislature

His Excellency the Governor

The Fourth Branch

Justice for All

Financing the State

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1 11 25 37 53 83 129 165 193 237

271 325 365

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P REFACE

The first edition of this book was published in 1981, and a number of governance system changes since then have been politically significant, particularly the alteration of the gubernatorial-legislative balance of power as reflected in unanimous votes in the two houses to override Gov- ernor George E. Pataki’s item vetoes. In common with the first edition, a balanced description and an analysis of the governance of the Empire State are presented, with particular emphasis upon political institutions and processes and proposals for major changes in the governance system. State government functional activities are examined only within the con- text of the political process. A scholarly book on the government and politics of the Empire State of necessity draws briefly upon the state’s political history to explain the evolution of political institutions and public policies. A thorough under- standing of the history and political culture of New York will facilitate a proper understanding of current Empire State politics. Space limitations, however, restrict attention to these topics, and the reader is encouraged to read relevant materials cited in the bibliography. The book purposely emphasizes the legal foundations of the state, as they influence greatly the behavior of leading public officers and interest groups. Most importantly, constitutional restrictions on the state legislature and local governments are examined, as well as the ingenious ways by which several restrictions upon the state legislature have been circumvented. This edition continues to highlight three themes. The intergovern- mental theme is a reflection of the political importance of national-state relations, interstate relations, and state-local relations. The large increase in the number of congressional preemption statutes removing completely or partially regulatory powers from states since 1965 has altered signifi- cantly national-state relations, which remain generally cooperative. Com- mon to the intergovernmental theme is the subtheme of centralization versus decentralization of political authority. With respect to national- state and interstate relations, the key question is the extent to which

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