In addition to the terrible decisions that Albany makes, decisions that drive people out of New York, there’s more going on in Albany.  Unfortunately, it’s even worse than the usual dysfunction.

Bill Hammond, in the Daily News, reminds us that 18 state elected officials have faced charges since 2003.

Hammond writes: “Why do so many city pols get caught up in crime? Probably because they occupy low-profile offices in a Legislature . . . and spend their days making obscure decisions that most New Yorkers don’t follow closely. The result: incumbency protection that breeds an anything-goes attitude.”

“But the most important factor is Albany’s ridiculously lax enforcement of basic ethical rules.” Hammond concludes.

Read the whole article: Rotten Apples in a Bad Barrel.

PS: That group doesn’t include former Governor Spitzer who escaped charges for his “indiscretions.”