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New York State Senator Hugh Farley

Q: You have been in the Senate since 1976? “Yes, 28 years. I was a classmate with Senator Bruno. We came in at the same time.” Q: What does it mean to be a Majority Whip? “It’s the Republican Majority position. I support the conference by counting the votes, I rally the troops. I work closely with leadership. I am in leadership.”

State Senator Hugh Farley (R) discusses with FBA the role of Majority Whip. (Photo - Kimberly Feliciano)

Q: Do you gavel in the Senate session?

“I do that a lot because I’m local. I gavel in the session when nobody is here—That’s how I pass my best stuff (laugh). Just kidding! We do that so we can control our own destiny. If we didn’t gavel in and do it every week when out of session, the only way we can come in is if the Governor calls us. Either I do that or Senator Bruno, depending on where we are.”

Q: Who decides what Senate bills get to the floor?

“Generally, it is the Committee Chairman who puts the bills out of committee. The conference is the determinant of what happens. Bruno has quite a bit of say, but all the years he’s been here, he’s never ‘starred a bill’. If there is legislation that is troublesome, the conference may bring it up, and the person who has it will either hold it, send it back, or star it.”

Q: How does “starring a bill” work?

“It goes on a star calendar. If I have a piece of legislation that has come out of committee and I want to amend it to make sure it passes both houses, I will ‘star’ the bill so that it isn’t brought up every day. And when it’s amended, I’ll take it off the star calendar and pass it. Starring a bill puts it on hold.”

Q: What can be done to pass the budget on time?

“That’s a major priority for me, and for Senator Bruno, and particularly those of us around here. It’s a major issue on the Capital District, and some of the upstate areas, but it’s not a major issue downstate. We have extended the fiscal year, added one month. If one of the houses doesn’t want to pass a budget, you won’t get one. The Speaker didn’t want to do a budget until they had agreement on the New York City school system, so we didn’t have a budget.”

Q: Was education the major hang-up in 2004?

“Not so much about education as the court decision on NYC schools. It said we’re not funding NYC schools the proper amount. The court just came out with a mega-billion dollar settlement. We are going to appeal that. If we put all that money in that school system, there’s a lot of upstate school systems equally as deprived, if not more so. Part of the problem is plans. We need to spend more on construction there, and not necessarily throw billions of dollars at it.”

Q: Is a lot of that money raised upstate?

“Not necessarily. Education money comes from all sources, including the lottery. Spending for education is based on population. NYC has over 30% of the state’s population, so they have that percentage of the money. I think it’s been fair, but apparently the courts don’t think so.”

Q: Are libraries included in education aid?

“No, they are separate. I wish they were included. They are certainly part of the education system. I am Chairman of Libraries, and unfortunately, library aid got vetoed in this last budget. I am hopeful we can do more for libraries.”

Q: How do we bring libraries into 21st century?

“I’ve been in charge of this since I’ve been here. It’s been a labor of love for me. There is legislation composed to bring them into the 21st century, which is a lot of money. I’d like to see library aid considered along with education.”

Q: What is your proudest achievement?

“One I’m most proud of is something I did as a freshman legislator. I established the first Hospice legislation in the U.S. For that, I’m called the ‘Father of Hospice’. The New York Times did an editorial in 1977 saying the most significant thing done by the legislature was by an obscure freshman senator from Schenectady—passing Hospice. I’ve had a lot of banking legislation. I was Chairman of Environmental Conservation, and I’ve been Chairman of Aging. Respite was my legislation, Criminal Liability for Polluters, and the Bond Act for environmental stuff. I raised the speed limit to 65 on the Thruway. I’ve had thousands of bills, all I think are great pieces of legislation.”

Q: Is your district composed of farmlands?

“Over 60% of my district is very urban—in Schenectady. It’s one of the smallest, most urbane counties in the state. The other half is rather rural. The section of Saratoga which I share with Senator Bruno is mostly rural. I have one of the largest dairy areas in the state—Montgomery County. Agriculture has always been a major priority for me, particularly dairy. It’s a very diverse district.”

Q: What can be done to help farmers?

“My district is very much dairy farmers, and apple farmers, too. It’s tragic that milk farmers have taken it on the chin as far as prices go. They’ve really suffered. I see these people leaving farms because it’s so hard to make a living. I’m very supportive of farm legislation, always have been, and will continue to be. I think it’s the #1 industry in NY State. It’s one that we have to pay attention to. I think subsidies is one of the ways we can help. The Northeast Dairy Compact has been terribly important for us to help dairy farmers with marketing. We have to promote it. ”

Q: What about biomass and Sematech?

“Having taught at SUNY Albany for 35 years, I think one of the most exciting things we have developing in the Capital District is the high-tech area at SUNY, RPI, all over. We have become the ‘Silicon Valley of the Northeast’. It’s very exciting. In my district we have become a distribution center for the northeast. We have the largest distribution building in Montgomery County, getting ready to go online in Amsterdam, and is the largest in North America.”

Q: How is technology shaping this area?

“There are exciting, well-paid jobs. I think it is the future of this nation! You know what it’s going to require, though? A very high education level for our workforce. We’ve got to make that a priority. It’s one of the reasons that Ireland, a country that was running high 30% unemployment, today has an unemployment rate at practically nil—because education of their youngsters created a high-tech center for all of Europe. Education is key. Unless you have an educated workforce, you won’t succeed in this high-tech era.”

Q: What do you propose to attract high-skilled labor for those new markets?

“We spend more money per student than any other state. But we’ve got problems—Serious problems with Medicaid and high taxes. They’re terrible. We spend more on Medicaid than Texas and California combined. Are we that much better to our poor? Our system has to be reformed. That’s a high priority.”

Q: How would you reform the system?

“We have a huge task force that’s come out with recommendations. We’ve got to streamline it, and get ourselves into the 21st century when it comes to handling Medicaid. Our counties are complaining and coming after us like you wouldn’t believe. Whatever their pain, the State of NY has got a pain with Medicaid. It’s the fastest-growing part of our budget, and it’s draining everything else.”

Q: The Brennan report shows that NY State legislature is one of the most inefficient. Why?

“‘Most dysfunctional’ or something, they called it, but a lot of what they said is not accurate They talk about the Majority Leader starring bills. He hasn’t starred a bill in 10 years. Several of those people were talking about things that used to happen in the legislature. We are trying to address some of these reforms, and I think you are going to see quite a bit. Again, much of this has been brought about by the image of a late budget. Years ago when budgets were late, money didn’t go out. Counties and schools had to burrow. Not anymore—We’ve been sending the money out. Much of the pain of a late budget has been taken away.”

Q: What about the “three men in a room”?

“That’s not accurate. At least in my conference, Senator Bruno keeps us informed. If there’s a flaw there, it’s the Minority not represented. Theoretically, Senator Bruno speaks for the Minority and the Assembly, but I think the Minority Leader should be in on the negotiations.”

Q: How important is party in state politics?

“It’s pretty important. Historically, the Senate has been a little more benevolent to the Minority than the House. We work together pretty well.”

Q: Was the Senate Democratic only one year?

“That was during the Goldwater years (former senator and Republican presidential nominee). I think 40-some years the Senate has been Republican. 31 seats is a majority.”

Q: What is the purpose of Family Day?

“That’s an important situation, one that honors the family in NY State. We do that every year on August 7th. I don’t think there’s anything more important in my life than my family. I think everybody could say that. If we are going to honor something, honor your family. If any ethnic group honors the family, it’s the Hispanic community. What’s more important?”

Q: What does being Republican mean to you?

“I’m not a terribly partisan person. I was a Democrat at one time. I’m a Farley, and James A. Farley was called ‘Mr. Democrat’, the longest serving Democratic leader in the 1930’s. I think party is how you feel what is right, and I think the Democratic party has been hi-jacked by some very strange people. I don’t think it represents the mainstream. I notice Democrats try to run as Republicans. And, in NY State you’ll see the Republican party more moderate than the rest of the nation.”

Q: What do you think of 3rd party alternatives?

“Third parties send a message, but I believe in the major parties, which try to take up the concerns of these other parties. They try to ‘wag the dog’ at times, which is a problem, but I support them.”

Q: Is NY State recovering from 9/11?

“It has been a struggle. We have come back, and it shows the strength of our constituents. We went into 9/11 with a $5 billion surplus and came out with $5 billion spent. We’ve got to realize that the whole country’s life has changed since 9/11.”

Q: Should art teachers be certified?

“I think it’s terribly important. Some would consider it a mandate on schools, but certain mandates you must have. The arts are very much a part of a person’s education. You can’t dismiss it and have it taught by somebody who has no background in it.”

Q: What are your objectives this session?

“I had legislation to allow state employees who are retired to maintain health insurance. Teachers have it, but other state and public employees do not. I passed legislation, unanimously, but it got vetoed. I’ve got a lot of priorities, and that’s one.”

Q: Anything else you’d like to say to the public?

“I want to make sure that my constituents read this (newspaper) and become informed constituents. One of the tragedies of our society is that people vote and don’t know an issue. Until you read a paper such as yours—that’s where you are going to get your information—not on television. You’ve got to be able to read on the issues, and you are there. And, you’ve got to make it fun. I think you are really raising the whole level of society by your paper. I wish you well. I am impressed.”

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