August 3, 2007
SPITZER'S MISTAKE
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Spitzer should stop pointing fingers at women who want a living wage |
Although he's been embroiled in a nasty ethics scandal for the last week or so, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer found time for an 11th-hour veto of the Nontraditional Employment and Sustainable Wage bill that would have required caseworkers at welfare offices to encourage more women leaving public assistance to get job training for living-wage jobs in male-dominated fields. (For the full story in the New York Sun click here.)
In one of his 26 vetoes Wednesday night, Spitzer claimed the lawmakers in both houses who approved this bill were ignoring "the realities of the marketplace" and that the bill "is not necessary" because he's already attempting to boost incomes through increased use of "federally-allowable education and vocational skills training."
One of the bill's co-sponsors, New York senator Liz Krueger told the Albany Times-Union the legislation was misrepresented and did not require aid recipients to be placed in jobs where no jobs were available. "It was a small adjustment to options for poor women, where if they know about these programs and can participate, there can be huge victories for all of us, not just for them," Krueger said.
Advocates had hoped a last-minute push might get Spitzer to do the right thing. "This veto is a real disappointment," said Michael Kink, Housing Works' legislative counsel. "Governor Spitzer and his welfare officials shouldn't be afraid to aim for good jobs for welfare beneficiaries, and they particularly shouldn't be afraid of legislation that encourages them rather than mandates them. Given the Governor's current difficult relationship with the Legislature, I wouldn't be surprised if the next bill is tougher and more forceful."