Two doses of shame in Albany

Two prominent Albany lawmakers are waiting today for the courts to determine their fates. Hiram Monserrate was convicted of beating his girlfriend:

The Democrat from Queens could spend up to one year in prison for dragging his bleeding girlfriend through his apartment lobby in a violent scene caught on security cameras.

Meanwhile, former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, a Republican who grew up in Glens Falls, awaits the decision of a jury in a Federal corruption trial.

This from the Albany Times-Union:

The jury of seven women and five men informed Judge Gary Sharpe it had reached a partial “verdict” on two of the eight counts against Bruno Tuesday, but it is unclear if that still holds true, or if they have agreed on any additional counts.

Bruno, 80, who is accused of violating theft of “honest services” law as majority leader, is charged with mail and wire fraud. The trial of the Brunswick Republican, which began Nov. 2, is now into its 21st day.

I’m convinced that Albany is incrementally fairer, more honest, and more transparent in its dealings than just a few years ago.

In a way, trials like these are signs of progress: the bad actors are being targeted and, when found guilty, punished.

But these court cases are also a sign of just how far our political process must evolve in order to reflect New York’s best values.