Think the local press isn't qualified to comment on state government because it doesn't have a reporter(s) in Albany on a daily basis? As previously noted in this space, that's one of the raps we and other critics of the Legislature hear all the time (mostly from legislators) and it's nonsense.

But if you are among those who still believe you need to be in Albany to intelligently comment on it, I point you to last week's "New York Now" program on PBS, hosted by old radio pal Susan Arbetter.

Susan gathered three veterans of the Capitol scene -- Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio, Fred Dicker of the New York Post and Jay Gallagher of the Gannett News Service -- and they couldn't have been more critical of the ineffective, secretive, unproductive Legislature and governor (and the disproportionate influence of unions, particularly the teachers).

Try to get a hold of a video or transcript of their discussion and think about it next time one of our local lawmakers tries to blow smoke in the face of legitimate criticism.