Barbarians at the Gates

Whither the Monroe County Legislature?   A largely obscure institution, but interesting now because party control is at stake today.   If Republicans lose even one seat, the Democrats take over.

If so, the fun starts immediately in a Democratic-occupied Monroe County.  The Brooks administration may think they have a year before too much damage can be done, because it's the current legislature that will vote on the next year's county budget next month.   What no one's talked about are the contrived "investigations" that will begin immediately.   Watch for fishing expeditions by Democrats that make Captain Ahab look like an dilettante.

The prime directives for a Democratically-controlled legislature:

• Force Maggie Brooks to raise property taxes.

• Soften up Maggie Brooks for the kill two years from now.

• Follow orders from the county's new overlords in the State Assembly.

In the minority, Democrats have demonstrated a disciplined focus on these goals.   If they prevail today, they'll be able to do something about it.

As for the Legislature's Republicans, if they win today, they can't interpret that as a mandate to continue, politically, as they have.   They need to become more aggressive:   on policy initiatives, on message, and on taking the fight to the Democrats.   Start with message.   That's where you have the most work to do.

If news of interest reaches us as the day goes on, we'll share it with you.

Meanwhile, to the barricades!