Syracuse, NY – If anyone was expecting a political honeymoon as Democrats assert their newfound control of the Onondaga County Legislature, they were likely disappointed Friday.
During the first legislative session of the year, Republicans — now in the minority for the first time in nearly 50 years — voted against every new staffer hired by Democrats, complaining that Republican staffers were fired unfairly.
In addition, former Legislature Speaker Tim Burtis, R-Brewerton, issued a politically charged statement earlier Friday warning that the appointment of some Democratic lawmakers to head the committees “signals far-left chaos.”
In an interview after Friday’s session, Nicole Watts, D-Syracuse, the speaker-elect, said she hopes for more unified legislation in the coming months.
“I hope we can continue to build consensus in a stronger way as we continue to move forward together,” she said.
But politics is likely to infect much of the Legislature this year, as all 17 legislative seats are up for re-election in November, even though the current members were elected just two months ago.
New York state switches to even-numbered year elections, so lawmakers must run again this year. And because of a charter change approved by county voters, the next legislative term will be four years instead of two.
Both sides are expected to make every effort to take control.
For now, Democrats hold a 10-7 majority. They changed that authority Friday by appointing six new staffers and a new law firm to serve as legislative counsel. Republicans voted against every hire.
Watts also appointed Democrats to chair legislative committees previously led by Republicans:
- Lawmaker Maurice “Mo” Brown will chair the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
- The Facilities Committee will be chaired by Legislator Chad Ryan.
- The Environmental Protection Committee will be chaired by legislator Gregg Eriksen.
- Legislator Dan Romeo will chair the Health and Human Services Committee.
- The Planning and Economic Development Committee will be chaired by Legislator Elaine Denton.
- Legislator Charles Garland will chair the Committee on Public Safety.
Burtis, on behalf of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, said the appointment put lawmakers on a “dangerous path.”
“The leadership slate reflects a shift toward far-left, city-centered priorities that are at odds with the moderate electorate represented by many Democratic legislators,” Burtis said in a news release.
He took particular aim at Brown, who will oversee Ways and Means, the committee with jurisdiction over district spending.
Brown said Burtis’ attack amounted to fear mongering. He said Democrats will be more careful about spending than Republicans.
“They’re following fear like Republicans do, but we’re going to be fair,” Brown said. We’re going to do homework in a way that I don’t feel like homework has been done in the past.”
During Friday’s session, the traditionally routine staffing of legislative staff was peppered with political animosity. Democrats approved the hiring of six new staffers to replace staffers who had long served under Republican leadership.
Each of the new hires was approved by a straight party vote of 10-7.
New hires include:
- Hassina Adams will take over as Clerk in the Legislature. She returns to Syracuse from New York, where she worked as a paralegal last year. Prior to that, she worked as a paralegal in Syracuse for several years, including in the city attorney’s office. Adams is a 2021 graduate of Syracuse University.
- Spencer Berg will take over as Deputy Clerk. Berg previously worked as an assistant to State Senator Chris Ryan and before that to State Senator Rachel May. He is a graduate of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
- John DeSantis, a longtime aide to Democratic lawmakers, has been promoted to assistant clerk. DeSantis, the only new hire with prior legislative experience, has been on staff since 2019. Before that, he was the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Believe in Syracuse.
- Kyle Madden, former Syracuse deputy auditor, has been named director of the legislative budget. Madden spent the last year working for City Auditor Alexander Marion. He was previously a development project manager for Housing Visions Consultants.
- Ruthnie Angrand, former communications director for Mayor Ben Walsh, will move into the newly created position of director of legislative communications. She has worked at the town hall since 2018.
- Jamea Johnson will be legislative counsel. She previously worked for the Salvation Army at the Ethel Chamberlain Women’s Residence. He has a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and is pursuing a master’s degree in public health.
The Legislature also approved the law firm of Bousquet Holstein to provide legal counsel. Eriksen, a lawyer from Bousquet Holstein, declined, making the vote 9-7 in favor.
Writer Tim Knauss can be reached at:e-mail|Twitter| 315-470-3023.
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