Time for Albany to close the deals

New York's legislators return to Albany today with three weeks left in the session and three big pieces of legislation that remain unpassed: the property tax cap, ethics reform and marriage equality.

That's not unusual; Albany is a place where important things happen at the last moment. But because so much has been put off for so long, the stakes get higher each day. Passing the budget on time and in balance was a tremendous accomplishment for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), but if that's all they get done, it won't look so wonderful in retrospect.

The three men say they agree on the major principles of the property tax cap: Annual increases of no more than 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less; exclusions for capital projects and a portion of increased pension contributions if they skyrocket; the ability to carry over untapped increases from the previous year, up to 1.5 percent; and the right of voters to exceed the cap if 60 percent agree. The bones of contention are the details, and they aren't likely to affect the usefulness of the measure if it passes, or the anger of taxpayers if it doesn't.

Some fiscal conservatives argue that a proposed "sunset" of the law in eight years endangers the move to control tax growth, and bargaining approval of the cap for rent control is an ideological betrayal. In truth, eight years is a good time frame in which to revisit the cap, making certain it is not too tight or too easily evaded, and works as intended. That it is set to expire at the same time as rent control creates an almost automatic swap when both run out, and since rent control will always be supported by New York City legislators and Democrats statewide, that's a good deal for Republicans in general and suburban lawmakers in particular.

Legalized gay marriage has been approved by the Assembly (as it is each year). But it has yet to be addressed this year in the Senate, where Cuomo says he doesn't want a vote unless he's sure to win and the Republicans don't want a vote at all. The nine Long Island senators, Republicans all, mostly say they don't oppose gay marriage, but their constituents do. They're mistaken -- polls show strong support. Even so, marriage equality is a liberty that should be recognized regardless of public opinion: The fact that voters also support it means Senate Republicans need to catch up to voters and approve it.

Ethics reform -- the push for legislators to disclose everybody who pays them and why -- is the one issue that affects the lawmakers themselves, right in the wallet, and so will be the hardest to pass. It is a problem for both parties and chambers, with everyone voicing (but few feeling) support. It's up to the public and the governor to keep up the pressure, because legislators would love to see it just go away.

So that's the work order for New York State government, with three weeks until recess and as many major items on the to-do list. This still has the potential to be an extraordinary year for Albany, and the people are hoping it will be. It's up to the leaders to deliver.