Walder hearings on hold until fall as compensation raises eyebrows

Nearly a month ago, Gov. David Paterson nominated Jay Walder as the next head of the MTA. Since then, the State Senate has stalled the nomination. They haven’t yet scheduled hearings while the Fare Hike Four have threatened to give Walder an unprecedented grilling. According to Politicker NY’s Jimmy Vielkind, the Senate will hold confirmation hearings in the fall when our busy legislators make their ways back to Albany. Atop the list of issues will be the Golden Parachute provisions in Walder’s compensation package.

Marin Dilan, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, seems to be gearing up to give Paterson’s nominee a hard time. “I may or may not allow advocates or other people who want to testify,” Dilan said to Vielkind. “There’s a big concern — I have a concern — with the package that he was offered. I’m concerned we’re setting a bad precedent with public money.” While Dilan may have a valid point about the money, his statement on advocates is patently absurd. It’s really too bad we can’t elect these buffoons out of office tomorrow.