Voter Enrollment Data Shows New Yorkers Reject Republicans
By Mike Connery on 04/09/2010 @ 06:26 PM
Liz Benjamin of the Daily News and Jon Campbell of Gannett's Albany Bureau both report on an analysis of voter registration data that is great news for those who want to reform Albany and reverse 44 years of dysfunction and corrupt deals.
According to an analysis by Bill Mahoney of NYPIRG, 51 of the 62 Senate Districts in New York saw an increase in the ratio of registered Democrats to registered Republicans, and 45 districts now have a higher number of registered Democrats than Republicans.
That has created shifts in the voter-enrollment picture in legislative districts, said NYPIRG spokesman Bill Mahoney.
As a result, Republican senators — Sen. James Alesi, R-Perinton, and three from Long Island — now represent four of the five districts that used to have Republican majority. Those districts now have a majority Democratic enrollment.
In Alesi's district, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by 3,201.
The fifth district that switched to a Democratic majority is a seat already controlled by Democratic Sen. Brian Foley of Suffolk County.
Since the rise of the Tea Party, we've already heard a lot about how voters are moving to the right, and we're just around the corner from a Republican resurgence. As the data shows, here in New York, this is more hype than reality.
"It is an intriguing picture, because most of the stories that we have heard for the past year and a half were that voters are migrating to the right," Mahoney said.
"But these numbers indicate that is not as absolute a fact as a lot of people think it is."
The fact is, New York voters rejected Republicans in 2008, and continue to reject them today. New York voters won't soon forget the Republican's 44 year rule of deficits, dysfunction and corrupt deals drove our state to the brink.
Voters are fed up with Albany - poll after poll confirms it. Democrats are taking strides to reform the system - most recently the obviously broken budget process. But change takes time. Democrats have only controlled the Senate for a brief 16 months. It's going to take a lot longer to undue almost a half century of damage inflicted by Senate Republicans. Based on the voter enrollment data from NYPIRG, it seems like voters are willing to give Democrats the time - and strength in numbers - needed to enact reform.
Calcaterra Hits LaValle on Taxes
By Mike Connery on 04/07/2010 @ 04:30 PM
Behind the paywall at Newsday, Regina Calcaterra is hitting incumbent Ken LaValle over property taxes in Suffolk County:
State Sen. Ken LaValle is again running from his record, complaining about a lack of tax relief provided by lawmakers in Albany after voting against $291 million in property tax rebates for seniors.
LaValle today sent out a mass email that accused Senate leaders of doing nothing to pass a state budget. Little more than a week ago, LaValle voted against a proposal that would have provided the much-needed relief for seniors.
"After more than 30 years of voting for late budgets filled with gimmicks, one-shots, more spending and higher taxes and fees, Sen. LaValle is a couple of decades too late with his complaints," said Regina Calcaterra, D-New Suffolk, a candidate for state Senate from the First Senatorial District.
"Sen. Lavalle's Senate record during that time includes voting more than 500 times to increase taxes, fees or borrowing," Calcaterra said. "In fact, during Sen. LaValle's tenure, property taxes in Suffolk County have increased by more than 550 percent.
"For him to accuse others of blocking tax relief would be comical, were his budget votes in Albany for more than 30 years not so detrimental to residents of Eastern Suffolk County and all of New York," Calcaterra said.
"While acknowledging budget proposals so far are not perfect, Calcaterra said these problems are the result of decades of failed legislative leadership on budget issues. She is proposing significant reforms in financial reporting by state agencies and authorities, cuts in wasteful spending and greater efforts to restore fair share to Long Island taxpayers."
Republicans have presided over 44 years of corrupt deals, deficits and dysfunction. New Yorkers face one of the highest state and local tax rates in the nation, but Long Island residents in particular have suffered a heavy burden. Republicans like LaValle won't be able to run from that record this year.
The Budget Hypocrisy of Tom Libous
By Mike Connery on 04/07/2010 @ 02:26 PM
When it comes to the budget, the record of Senate Republicans is littered with tax hikes and out of control spending. Over the course of twenty years the Party of Joe Bruno delivered an on-time budget only twice – not to mention that they practically invented the accounting gimmicks that helped set our state on the path to financial ruin.
That's why it was surprising to see Republican Senator Tom Libous attacking Democrats over the weekend for delays in what is widely acknowledged as the most difficult and complex budget process in decades. After twenty-two years in the State Senate, there is little in Tom Libous' record – or that of the GOP as a whole -that is in any way reflective of a concern for fiscal responsibility.
In 1988, when Tom Libous was first elected to serve the people New York, our state’s budget was $39 Billion. Under his less-than-watchful eyes, spending ballooned by 197% over the next two decades. By 2008, when New Yorkers had finally had enough and threw out Joe Bruno and some his other cronies, the budget had nearly tripled to a whopping $116 billion.
Out of control spending and late budgets represent only one side of the ledger. In addition to letting spending go virtually unchecked, Tom Libous and the Senate Republicans literally balanced the state's checkbook on the backs of everyday New Yorkers, creating the unbearable tax burden that now threatens to bankrupt so many in this state.
Between 1990 and 2008, Tom Libous voted for a whopping 504 new state taxes and fees, reaching into the the pocket books of hard-working New Yorkers and robbing them of $29.2 billion. We in this state pay almost twice the national average in property taxes and face the highest state and local tax burden in the nation thanks in no small part to Tom Libous and the rest of his Republican buddies.
That's no record to be proud of and it sheds an interesting light on Libous' newfound fiscal hawkishness. It would be one thing if Libous and the rest of the Bruno Republicans in the Senate spent even a fraction of the time they exhaust attacking Democrats on actually working to find real bi-partisan solutions to the economic crisis we face. Instead, it has become clear that they have chosen political rhetoric over substantive results.
Since the beginning of the budget process, Libous and Senate Republicans have demonstrated a tremendous talent for shouting "No!" but have shown very little concern for solving the challenges facing New York today. They still have not even submitted a budget proposal of their own and recently voted unanimously to reject a tough but fair budget resolution proposed by the Democratic Majority.
The Democratic budget is not perfect – our financial situation calls for very tough choices – but it is a significant step towards putting New York back on the fiscally responsible track. It provides real property tax relief for seniors and homeowners, rejects over $1 billion in new taxes, and holds spending under the rate of inflation for only the third time in thirty years.
New Yorkers have already put up with forty-four years of Republican deals, deficits and dysfunction in Albany. Its time for Tom Libous to stop slinging mud and help clean up the mess he created.
Steve Saland Has a Challenge in Didi Barrett
By Mike Connery on 04/07/2010 @ 02:26 PM
Earlier today, Didi Barrett announced that she will challenge 19 year incumbent Steve Saland in the 41st Senate District. If you're not following her campaign already, you can find her website here, friend her on Facebook, and donate to the campaign via Act Blue.
This is great news Columbia and Dutchess County residents. Saland's tenure has been a nightmare of bloated budgets and crushing tax increases. In his 19 years in office, Saland:
- Indulged in out of control spending for over a decade. Between 1996 and 2008, the state budget doubled from $62 billion to $121 billion.
- Drove New York’s finances to the brink when he supported $25 billion in risky fiscal gimmicks like sweeps and “one-shots.”
- Voted for 378 tax and fee increases or extensions since gaining office, taking almost $18 billion out of the pocket books of hard working New Yorkers.
- Helped to create the heaviest state and local tax burden in the nation.
Columbia and Dutchess County voters need a change. Here's what Didi Barrett had to say during her announcement:
Too many people have lost faith in our State Government. This is not the New York -- the Empire State -- we all thought we knew.
Until we fundamentally change the way business is done in Albany we will not be able to turn our economy around. We cannot truly help Main Street until we fix State Street.
We need a hands-on jobs program -- and the training and incentives to insure that these jobs go to locla residents. It's time to employ the old carrot and stick approach: Incentives to attract and expand local business, as well as accountability that good jobs will be created right here when taxpayer funds are involved. Companies that outsource jobs overseas should lose their tax breaks. It's just that simple.
There are real opportunities for sustainable growth in renewable energy, the agriculture economy, and cultural tourism that protect our environment and tap into the best of our region's assets.
I spoke with young farmers, who literally want to put down roots, cultivate our prime soils and feed our region and its growing appetite for locally grown products. But unless they inherit a farm, they cannot afford to buy land here. We need to support and encourage these young entrepreneurs.
We need to address runaway property taxes not by short-term band-aids, but by creating a tax structure that is fair to seniors and working families and welcoming to the small businesses that are the engine of our economy.
We need a sustainable way of funding education. This is not just about us; this is about our children. We are letting them down. Our system is simply outdated and we need leadership that will start making the tough choices to fix it.
These are not easy tasks. I know that. But I believe we are at a moment in time -- our moment in time. We have a great opportunity to rebuild a broken Albany and live up to our name as the Empire State. We are ready for a New York state government that works for us, the people, not the politicians.
I am running for the New York State Senate to bring your voices to Albany. We are going to run a grassroots campaign. We are going to show a way to move this state forward. We are going to bring change to Albany and bring jobs to New York. I hope you'll come along with us.
Dirty Tricks From Senate Republicans
By Mike Connery on 04/06/2010 @ 11:01 AM
Republicans were just caught red-handed lying to Nassau residents in Craig Johnson's district.
Constituents in Johnson's Nassau County district reported receiving an email around midnight on the first night of Passover last week from "nysobserver@gmail.com" with the subject line: "Property Taxpayers Alert!"
The email purported to highlight "Albany's property tax double-cross," in which the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Johnson that "allows school districts to increase school district spending and property taxes against the will of local voters."
...
The email not originate from everyone's favorite salmon pink weekly, as it turns out.
The "opt-out" link at the bottom of the missive reveals it came from none other than the NYSSRCC. (For the uninitiated, that's short for "New York State Senate Republican Campaign Committee).
Craig Johnson's spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, has it right:
"The Albany Republicans and their stooges know that they have no credibility with the residents of the 7th Senate District, so it's no surprise that they tried to hide their identity," said Johnson spokesman Rich Azzopardi.
"Fortunately, they couldn't mask their hypocrisy and classlessness, no matter how deep they try to hide in the shadows of the Internet."
It's no wonder Republicans would try to hide behind a dirty trick to hit Democrats on taxes. The Republican record on taxes is abysmal and nowhere is that more apparent than in Nassau County.
Between 1985-2009 property taxes rose by 320% in Nassau County. According to the Tax Foundation, Nassau has the 3rd highest property taxes in the nation, with a median property tax bill of $8,306. Voters won't soon forget that record, no matter how hard Republicans try to lie or hide from their history.
Avella Will Take on Padavan
By Mike Connery on 04/05/2010 @ 04:30 PM
Former city council member and mayoral candidate Tony Avella has announced that he will challenge Frank Padavan for control of New York's 11th Senate District in Queens.
“While I may not have always done what’s popular, I have always tried to do what’s right. It’s time we elect a State Senator who will look out for the interests of Queens families,” Avella said. He took the opportunity to point the finger at his opponent. “Frank Padavan has been part of the problem in Albany for 38 years. What we need now is a Senator who wants to be part of the solution. If elected, I’ll change the way Albany does business.”
Avella was flanked by other prominent Queens Democrats, including Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) and Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), who gave Avella their endorsement.
Avella, who represented the Bayside, Douglaston, Whitestone, College Point and North Flushing council district now represented by Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) from 2002-2009, first hinted at a potential challenge to Padavan in early December. Avella, known to be more conservative than most city Democrats, came out in support of same-sex marriage that same month after the State Senate rejected a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New York State. Padavan joined all 30 Republicans in the chamber in voting “no” on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Avella took more steps toward a run in February.
Padavan squeaked back into office last term by the narrowest of margins, beating out Jim Gennaro by just a few hundred votes. Padavan is on the ropes, and Avella could be one of our best shots at picking up an extra seat this cycle.
Here's more on Avella's announcement from the local press:
- Queens Tribune: Avella Sets Sites on Padavan, State Senate
- Queens Courrier: Avella to Challenge Padavan for Senate
- Village Voice: Tony Avella Will Challenge Frank Padavan in State Senate Race
- Your Nabe: Avella Kicks Off Challenge to Padavan for Senate Seat
- City Hall News: The Recalibration of Tony Avella
Tough Budget Choices: Sampson Spars with Skelos
By Mike Connery on 04/02/2010 @ 02:26 PM
Watch John Sampson spar with Dean Skelos over the 2010 - 2011 budget. Democrats made tough but fair choices on the budget, preventing over $1 billion in tax increases and providing $500 million in property tax relief.
