Inertia as state policy

The Legislative Gazette website reported on what the New York state legislature did and did not do this year before adjourning in late June.

Passed:
Patriot Plan II, increasing benefits for New York National Guard members.
Expanding DNA collection for law enforcement.
Albany Convention Center Authority established.
Niagara River Greenway Commission created.

Not Passed:
An on-time state budget, [now a 20-year tradition.]
Education reform.
Rockefeller drug law reform.
Medicaid reform.
Long-term care reform.
Campaign finance reform.
Budget reform.
Municipal tort reform.
Pension reform.
Binding arbitration reform.
Wick’s Law reform.
Empire Zone reform.
Manufacturing tax reform.
Worker’s compensation reform.
Energy reform.
Racing and gaming reform.
Auto leasing, vicarious liability reform.
Procurement lobbying reform.
Anti-terrorism II.
Superfund technical amendments.
Linked Deposit Program.
MTA bus legislation.
Foster Care, ASFA.
Eliminating statutes of limitations for rape, other violent felonies.
Gun trafficking.
DWI reform.
Deadly drivers.
Civil commitment of sexually violent predators.
Megan’s Law enhancements.
Suzanne’s Law, school violence.
Gang sexual assault.
Repeat misdemeanors.
Child pornography.
Child endangerment.
Mathis’ Law, unintentional killing of a child.
Timothy’s Law, insurance coverage for mental health.
Tamiqua’s Law.
Methamphetamine labs.
Higher education capital improvements.
Election/HAVA reform.

Nevertheless, Albany's Times-Union newspaper noted that incumbent legislators have a 99% re-election rate. But gerrymandering is a topic for another day.