Governing takes work 

Much of governing is not sexy.

You can’t cut a ribbon on a new bridge, unveil a gleaming modern transit hub, or announce the arrival of a new company willing to make a massive investment in your region every day.

But the stuff that’s not sexy is also often the stuff that’s critically important to the lives of residents. Think about roads that are paved and lights that stay on. And this week, about computer systems that can get the job done.  

New York State’s loss of at least $11 billion to unemployment insurance fraud grabbed our attention not only for the magnitude of the missing money but for the reason the theft was possible – antiquated mainframe computer systems built in the 1970s and 1980s. The editorial board has often criticized county and state officials for their unwillingness or inability to modernize those systems. This week, we wrote, “Updating technology and adapting best practices get ignored because this isn’t a shiny object elected officials can boast as an accomplishment. But failing to do so erodes confidence in government … ”

We have made similar points regarding the cyberattack that forced Suffolk County to take down its entire computer system. Questions abound about Suffolk’s preparation for such an event which left residents “worried that their data may have been snatched by criminals and furious that they cannot use county computer systems to perform basic functions like paying tickets …” 

In our endorsement of Rep. Andrew Garbarino in Congressional District 2, we applauded him precisely for his interest in cybersecurity and his work to “help craft a system of quick information-sharing among organizations affected by this high-tech crime to keep it from spreading in real-time.” 

In considering county clerk races, we seek candidates committed to modernizing record-keeping to help residents get the information they need. We have supported bills that would quietly lay the groundwork for changes that would improve New Yorkers’ lives – like legislation to make stretch limousines safer and reduce the tragedies we’ve seen in recent years. 

And we have pushed for the expansion of sewers – perhaps the ultimate in unsexy – as critical to the environmental and economic well-being of Long Island. As we wrote in applauding new sewer deals in Suffolk, “It has been a big couple of weeks for sewers. We know, we know. That doesn’t sound exciting.” 

But it is progress. And that’s what really counts.

- Michael Dobie