Last night during the storm I emailed the person who handles my booking for my radio show. I basically sent him a wish list of who I would like to appear. One of those people I wish to have as a guest is my local New York State senator and current deputy minority leader, Jeffrey Klein (D).

I came across Sen. Klein about a year ago at a local street fair. He was quite courteous to me, and I asked him several questions about education and mayoral control and he answered as weirdly as he could. I subsequently wrote about my brush with greatness and had been in contact with his office about appearing.

Alas, his appearance never materialized. Not that I didn't try. In fact, before the vote on LIFO back the end of February, there was another attempt to have him appear, but again the stars weren't aligned.

So in emailing my booker, I sent him links to all the wonderful people I wish to have. Yes, one of those links was to Sen. Klein's website. I clicked on it to make sure it was the right one and much to my surprise I came across this photo of Sen. Klein supporting striking Verizon workers. What was even more strange, or at least a coincidence is where that photo was taken. The Verizon store on East Fordham Rd in the Bronx, in the former Alexander's building, the same place as I had been at supporting the strikers and a friend.

What I nice senator I thought to myself. Klein went out and bought these guys pizza and water and showed how he supports the labor movement. This is someone who should be on the teachers, the UFT's side. Should be, but won't be, will never be.

You see, Senator Klein was one of two Democrats in the State Senate to vote for changing the LIFO, or, seniority laws in NYC. But, is he not a friend of labor? Why would he put the screws to the UFT and teachers, yet he is out there on Fordham Rd getting all buddy buddy with Verizon workers? More on that in a bit.

Verizon adheres to seniority rights for its unionized employees. Is this not something that Sen. Klein derides? Also, with Sen. Klein's attempts at repealing seniority rights for teachers, this would have the affect of the most senior and valued teachers losing their jobs to low paid newbie teachers. But isn't that part of why the Verizon workers went on strike? To forestall Verizon to continue hiring more low paid new workers? Sen. Klein, you are confusing me!!!

So it got me to thinking. Really thinking. Perhaps Sen Klein truly, in his heart of hearts, believes in the repeal of seniority rights? Nah, too simplistic for a politician. Perhaps Sen. Klein hates teachers and loves Verizon workers? Perhaps, but not quite. Perhaps Sen. Klein gets a lot of money from organizations that wish to deprive teachers of their seniority rights? BINGO!!!!!!

According to DFER Watch, Senator Jeffrey Klein, or New Yorkers for Klein, Democrat from The Bronx, NY received $2,000 from Democrats for Education Reform between 2006 and 2010. But wait. There is more!!!

Yes, DFER Watch was correct. But DFER Watch missed that on July 1, 2006, Sen. Klein and Friends of Klein received $4,000. All donations, were from DFER's Washington DC PAC offices, except a May 7, 2010 payout which came from its New York City Offices.

But it does not stop there!! For the following piece of information I suggest that you sit down.

Just two weeks after Sen. Klein cast his vote to repeal seniority rights for NYC teachers, on March 15, 2011, Education Reform Now, which has the same address as DFER in NYC and both which Whitney Tilson is a shill for, gives Sen. Klein $5,000. Coincidence? I think not.

What is, or was, behind the donation? What promises were made? Will Sen. Klein, Joe Williams and Whitney Tilson come clean? Why would Sen. Klein support Verizon workers, but not the teachers of NYC?

Apparently, since 2005 Sen. Klein has received only $500 from Verizon and that was on June 8, 2005. Obviously Sen. Klein owes no allegiance to Verizon. But, since 2005 Sen. Klein has received $6,500 from AT&T. Hmmm, so that is it. You give Sen. Klein money and he supports you, don't give him money and he doesn't care.

The crack team calls on Sen. Klein to answer his gift from both DFER and ERN immediately! There are many questions to be answered, especially the $5,000 that was given to him so soon after the seniority vote.

Senator Klein, teachers like pizza and water. It really does not take much with us.

I met State Senator Jeff Klein at a local neighborhood event tonight. He was quite nice to me after I insisted on asking him some questions regarding his involvement in extending mayoral control of the schools.

I started off my claiming that he spearheaded the continued control. He corrected me, but now that I think of it, as deputy majority leader he had to have some type of lead role in the negotiations.

I asked him how if he regretted his vote of mayoral control now that the real test scores came out. He told me "no," that all his constituents he has spoken to, including teachers and principals are "happy" with how things are turning out. This reminded me immediately of Animal House when the town is rioting Chip Diller is saying "remain calm, all is well."

Senator Klein reminded me of how the old Board was vs the new and improved DOE. He told me how in the old system, "there was so much patronage in the districts," not failing to realize, which I had to point out to him, the gazillion lucky consultants at Tweed who make boffo bucks. Senator, all that was done was rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.

We made some small talk. He think the parent coordinators are great, even though they are under the auspices of the principals. That there is more parent involvement in the new mayoral control law. I asked him about how Chancellor Klein has again circumvented the law and he went on to say how there are checks and balances in the new law.

But back to the patronage. I brought up Chancellor Klein's connections to the hedgefunders, and Eva Moslowitzand her close ties along with her husband. Senator Klein really "did not know too much" about that, but brought up how Caroline Kennedy has done raised a lot of money for the schools? Really? The gig she had with Office of Strategic Partnerships ended in 2004. Though, now she his vice-chair of the Fund For Public Schools. Interestingly, Mort Zuckerman and Rupert Murdoch's wife Wendi are also on the board (Can someone say conflict of interest?). I truly do not know what Caroline Kennedy has brought to the table in either capacity. If anyone knows, please let me know.

We left amicably. Senator Klein still insisting there has been real improvement under mayoral control in spite of everything that has been said and the test scores that were released. I also asked him if he would be willing to do the radio show, he said he would have his people get back to mine.