New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer Central Subject and Correspondence Files
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Overview of the Records
Repository:
New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
Summary:
Eliot Spitzer's gubernatorial platform promised change. In his brief tenure as governor, Spitzer sought to reform the operations
of state government, stimulate the upstate economy, and curb the influence of special interests. Records consist primarily
of incoming correspondence from constituents, public officials, and private organizations seeking assistance or expressing
opinions on policy issues.
Creator:
Title:
New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer central subject and correspondence files
Quantity:
Inclusive Dates:
2007-2008
Series Number:
13682_08
Arrangement
Governor Eliot Spitzer's central subject and correspondence files are divided into three distinct sets: VIP correspondence,
constituent correspondence, and correspondence filed by subject. VIP and constituent correspondence is arranged numerically
by assigned correspondent number. Correspondence filed by subject appears at the end of the series, in no partucular order.
Administrative History
Eliot Laurence Spitzer was born on June 10, 1959 in Bronx, New York. He attended Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School
of Public and International Affairs followed by Harvard Law School. Upon graduation, he entered private practice and thereafter
alternated stints in public service with work for several prestigious New York law firms. He clerked for federal district
court judge Robert Sweet and served as an assistant district attorney in New York County, where he helped eradicate the Gambino
organized crime family's control of trucking and the garment industry. After an unsuccessful run for the office of New York
State Attorney General in 1994, Spitzer defeated incumbent Dennis Vacco to gain the office in 1998. While Attorney General,
Spitzer sought to regulate industrial polluters, pharmaceutical companies, gun manufacturers, and above all, the financial
industry.
After serving two terms as Attorney General, Spitzer defeated Republican opponent John Faso to gain the governorship in 2006.
In his short tenure, Spitzer sought to reform the state budget process, the workers' compensation system, and the financing
of health care and education. He also sought to reinvigorate the ailing upstate economy and championed campaign finance reform
in an effort to curtail the influence of special interests and make state government more accessible to the public at large.
Spitzer drew criticism for his support of the failed effort to legalize same-sex marriage in the state and for his ill-fated
proposal to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. Following disclosure of evidence that he patronized prostitutes
while serving as governor and attorney general, Spitzer resigned the governorship effective March 17, 2008.
For further information concerning the life and political career of Eliot Spitzer see Paumgarten, Nick. "The Humbling of Eliot
Spitzer: The Governor's Rocky Rookie Season." The New Yorker Digital Edition (December 10, 2007); and Masters, Brooke A. Spoiling for a Fight: The Rise of Eliot Spitzer. New York: Times Books, 2006.
Scope and Content Note
Governor Eliot Spitzer's subject and correspondence files consist predominantly of letters and attachments received from constituents,
state and federal government officials, local governments, labor unions, public interest groups, and law firms. Occasionally,
copies of responses from the executive chamber and state agency heads are included. Topics of correspondence range widely
and include regulation of the financial and pharmaceutical industries; funding for health care workers; quality of care for
the mentally ill; illegal immigration; aid to localities; development of energy resources; influence of special interests;
requests for legal assistance; design of the World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial; criminal law; requests for executive clemency;
and public opinion on a variety of pending legislation.
Other Finding Aids
Available at Repository
The New York State Archives holds an electronic index to correspondents appearing in this series. Certain data in this index
is restricted. Interested researchers must contact the State Archives for assistance.
Access Restrictions
Partially restricted to protect personal privacy.
Access Terms
Personal Name(s):
Subject(s):
Genre(s):
Detailed Description
Dates |
Contents |
Box |
Accretion: 13682-08 |
2007 |
1449451-1453128 VIP |
11 |
2007 |
1453326-1456366 VIP |
22 |
2007 |
1456368-1458299 VIP |
33 |
2007 |
1404955-1411064 Constituent |
77 |
2007 |
1411101-1415124 Constituent |
88 |
2007 |
1415128-1418346 Constituent |
99 |
2007 |
1418366-1421569 Constituent |
1010 |
2007 |
1421570-1423999 Constituent |
1111 |
2007 |
1424001-1425899 Constituent |
1212 |
2007 |
1425900-1428449 Constituent |
1313 |
2007 |
1428450-1431670 Constituent |
1414 |
2008 |
1431671-1433899 Constituent |
1515 |
2008 |
1433900-1436699 Constituent |
1616 |
2008 |
1436700-1440210 Constituent |
1717 |
2007 |
1440211-1442690 Constituent |
1818 |
2007 |
1442691-1444999 Constituent |
1919 |
2007 |
1445001-1446930 Constituent |
2020 |
2007 |
1446964-1448875 Constituent |
2121 |
2007 |
1448876-1458300 Constituent |
2222 |
2007 |
1434160-1450153 Constituent |
2323 |
2007 |
1450154-1452000 Constituent |
2424 |
2007 |
1452001-1453800 Constituent |
2525 |
2007 |
1453801-1456110 Constituent |
2626 |
2007 |
1456111-1457899 Constituent |
2727 |
2007 |
1457900-[ca. 1458400] Constituent |
2828 |
2007 |
1-1999 Constituent |
2929 |
2007 |
2000-4100 Constituent |
3030 |
2007 |
4200-7199 Constituent |
3131 |
2007 |
7200-8198 Constituent |
3232 |
2007 |
Joint School Construction Board, Annual Report and Comprehensive Plan; Transportation Project Report, USDOT, NYSDOT, Draft
Environmental Impact Statement Kosciuzko Bridge, Kings and Queens Cos.; Governing Magazine, 2007 November
|
3333 |
2007 |
Broadwater Correspondence |
3434 |
2007 |
Broadwater [Broadwater Energy is a Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal proposed to be built in Long Island Sound between New York
State and Connecticut]
|
3535 |
2007 |
Constituent Misc.: WTC 9/11 Memorial; Judicial Appointments; Greetings and Best Wishes; Illegal Immigrants - No Response -
PRO; Illegal Immigrants - No Response - CON
|
3636 |
2007 |
Oversize Volume |
3838 |
2007 December-2008 |
Box 9999 |
4040 |