Senate Republicans Already Breaking Their Promise
By Josh Cherwin on 03/01/2011 @ 01:50 PM
New Yorkers want to see real change in Albany; but it's only a few months into the new year and we're seeing the same broken promises from Senate Republicans.
Prior to the 2010 elections, every Republican candidate for State Senate made a promise to work with Democrats to clean up Albany. Less than two months into the start of the new legislative session, those same Republicans are breaking their promise, abandoning the reforms Albany needs and the public expects. Today former Mayor Ed Koch called on Albany legislators to act on their promise and pass a bill for independent redistricting. Members of the NY State Senate Democratic Conference joined him in this effort. The Albany Times Union was there to cover the story. Here's an excerpt from the Capital Confidential blog "Koch: Skelos is reneging on redistricting promise"
...Koch said he had just met with Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Long Island, who said he would not back a bill currently wending its way through the Senate because he believes changes to the redistricting process — currently handled by representatives of both legislative houses, and resulting in districts often derided as gerrymandered — require amendments to the state’s constitution.
“We now know where stand, which ain’t too good,” Koch said. “The reason he gives is it’s not constitutional to do this…this is, of course, not acceptable to us. We believe it is simply an effort to derail the operation.”
At its most rapid, a constitutional amendment could not be in place until 2013 — after lines are drawn for the five election cycles starting with 2012.
The former mayor, now 86, traveled the state during the last election cycle to rally support for candidates who agreed to sign on to independent redistricting and other reform measures. Skelos and all members of the Republican conference, publicly, signed onto his pledge.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month submitted a bill to the legislature that would take redistricting out of the hands of legislative leaders, and vowed to veto any lines drawn under the current system.
Cuomo’s bill was introduced in the Assembly by Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan. The sponsor of a similar measure, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, said Silver has “at least expressed an interest in changing the procedure…he’s said he will not stand in the way of reform.”
He expressed that commitment before Cuomo’s State of the State PowerPoint presentation. Koch had once labeled Silver the biggest enemy of reform, but said this when asked: “He’s come a long way. He may be the leader of reform.”
Skelos has blocked Democrats trying to co-sponsor Cuomo’s measure in the Senate. Senate Democrats attacked the Republicans who bounced them from the majority last year as hypocrites. There are more Democrats than Republicans in New York, and Democrats charged that Republicans are clinging to their control of the redistricting to draw lines that will allow them to continue in the majority.
Senate Minority Leader John Sampson said Skelos’ reversal was the “height of hypocrisy” and showed “selective amnesia.” Sen. Mike Gianaris, D-Queens and the sponsor of a bill similar to Cuomo’s, said the Republicans’ new position was “shameful” and a “disgrace.”
“Not since the first President Bush told us to read his lips have we seen a more dramatic turnaround on a campaign promise,” Gianaris said.
Koch’s group, New York Uprising, committed to funding 100,000 robocalls and patch-through calls targeting those standing in the way of the bill. A release on that is after the jump.
Below is a clip of Senator Mike Gianaris at the Koch Press Conference on Independent Redistricting 3/1/2011
Freshman Senators Promote Albany Reforms
By Mike Connery on 01/11/2011 @ 10:50 AM
Four of our freshman Senators, including new DSCC Chair Mike Gianaris, appeared last week on State of Politics with Liz Benjamin. Check out the video as they discuss positive changes in the Democratic conference and promote much-needed Albany reforms.Daily Campaign Roundup: Cross Endorsements For Gianaris And Espaillat
By Mike Connery on 09/01/2010 @ 02:45 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Assemblymen Mike Gianaris and Adriano Espaillat endorse each other in their respective State Senate campaigns. Sen. David Valesky passes expansion of historic rehabilitation tax credit. Robin Wilt and her campaign are profiled by City Hall News.
- Mike Gianaris and Adriano Espaillat receive eachother's endorsement- Espaillat and Gianaris have cross-endorsed one another in their respective bids to become State Senators. Gianaris is running unopposed for the 12th SD seat being vacated by retiring Queens Sen. George Onorato. Espaillat is running in the 31st SD that Sen. Eric Schneiderman is giving up to run for state attorney general.
Gianaris noted that Espaillat has been a lead co-sponsor of his independent redistricting bill, while Espaillat also praised Gianaris, whose "commitment to independent redistricting speaks to his commitment to reform Albany so as to ensure that New York has a State Government that is fair, transparent, effective and responsible." - Sen. Dave Valesky passes expansion of rehabilitation tax credit - Legislation sponsored by Sen. Valesky that expands the Historic Preservation Tax Credit was signed into law. The expansion allows banks and insurance companies to claim the tax credit, which will have a positive effect on commercial development efforts of historic structures across the state.
“Continued economic development is integral to the growth and expansion of our Upstate communities,” said Sen. Valesky. “By allowing banks and insurance companies to utilize the HRTC, we are creating more incentive for companies to invest in larger projects in Upstate New York, which will spur economic growth and development.” - Robin Wilt has winning strategy against her opponent- Robin Wilt, running against 20-year Albany insider Joe Robach, was profiled by City Hall News. The article describes how Wilt was first pulled into politics by Progressive Democrats for America and their activist work in opposition to George W. Bush’s war in Iraq and controversial wiretapping program. Today, however, her concerns are focused on her Senate district. “I’m disturbed when I see the talent that leaves this area,” Wilt said. “I’m concerned that, despite the fact that we have a lot of good institutions of higher learning, we can’t claim that power because of the lack of economic opportunity.”
Daily Campaign Roundup: More Endorsements For Democratic Candidates
By Mike Connery on 08/18/2010 @ 02:43 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Mike Gianaris endorsed by United Federation of Teachers and Teamsters. Mike DiSanto gains the support of Planned Parenthood of New York City. Susan Savage slams her opponent for misusing state funds -- to complain about wasteful state spending. SRCC pours money into defeating one of its own.
- Mike Gianaris scores major endorsements from United Federation of Teachers and Teamsters - Mike Gianaris received big endorsements from The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the international Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 16. The UFT has a membership of approximately 200,000 education professionals. Joint Council 16 encompasses 30 Teamster local unions in New York City and has about 120,000 members. “I am honored to have the support of the working men and women represented by these organizations,” said Gianaris in a statement. “I look forward to continuing my advocacy for working people in the State Senate, as we strive to create more jobs, improve our schools and reform state government.”
- Mike Disanto endorsed by Planned Parenthood of NYC - Mike DiSanto, running against Albany politician Martin Golden in SD-22, received the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood of New York City. “I thank Planned Parenthood for entrusting me with the task of defending women's reproductive rights. For more than 90 years, Planned Parenthood of New York City has been a beacon of hope for women, and today, I am committed to the next generation of women,” DiSanto said. “The State that started the Women's Rights Movement has failed to provide women with adequate protections and advance women's rights into the 21st century. My opponent is wrong on women's rights, just as he is wrong on so many issues. Reform and progress on public policy is clearly absent from my opponent's agenda.”
- Susan Savage slams her opponent for wasting state funds to complain about wasteful state spending - Susan Savage criticized a mailer that her opponent, 34-year Albany politician Hugh Farley, sent using state funds. The mailer ironically talks about how the state is in money trouble. "This is an outrageous example of what’s wrong with Albany and why voters should fire a 34 year politician who is out of touch, out of ideas and electorally, out of time,” said Savage campaign strategist Doug Forand. “In his letter, Mr. Farley states ‘During difficult economic times, families and businesses tighten their belts and make needed and sensible changes to their spending habits. Government should do the same.’ We couldn’t agree more, and the first place to start would be with his self-promoting, taxpayer-funded mailings.”
Savage says he was using taxpayer dollars on the last possible day he can use his Senate funds before the Sept. 14 Conservative primary between a write-in (Savage) and himself. - SRCC decides to dump money into messy internal battle -The GOP continues to eat its own. The City Hall News reports that the SRCC is pouring money into the SD-40 primary, where Republican Assembly Member Greg Ball is taking on party favorite Mary Beth Murphy. The SRCC spent $55,922 in shared expenditures over the past month on top of $32,608 already spent. Murphy and Ball are involved in a bloody and divisive primary fight. Whoever comes out of the fight will have to face Mike Kaplowitz, who has secured the Democratic nomination and been running a strong campaign in the district for months now.
Daily Campaign Roundup: 'Year of the Woman' Continues
By Mike Connery on 07/19/2010 @ 03:56 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Jimmy Vielkind of Albany Times Union looks into the 'Year of the Woman' and our slate of female candidates. NARAL New York endorses Democratic Senate candidates. Republican candidate Lee Zeldin gets angry and heated at a candidate screening. Democratic fundraising totals dwarf GOP numbers. Democratic Candidate Joanne Yepsen's fundraising haul still garnering press.
- ‘Year of The Woman’ continues –After POLITICO’s piece dubbing 2010 ‘Year of the Woman’ in New York in reference to our crop of female candidates, Jimmy Vielkind of the Albany Times Union chimed in, wondering if “dissatisfaction with state of state cause voters to think gender at polls?” He noted that our crop of 10 women candidates may benefit from the palpable anti-incumbency sentiment.
- NARAL Pro-Choice New York endorses numerous Democratic candidates - NARAL Pro-Choice New York announces their first round of endorsements in the 2010 election and named the following Democratic candidates for State Senate as 100% pro-choice candidates: Regina Calcaterra, Dave Mejias, Carol Gordon, Mike Gianaris, Didi Barrett, Susan Savage, Kathleen Joy, Pam Mackesey, and Robin Wilt. Not a single Republican Senate candidate was endorsed by NARAL.
- Lee Zeldin “turns angry” at candidate screening – Newsday reported that at a screening for a possible endorsement of Lee Zeldin, the Republican candidate running against Democratic Sen. Brian Foley, Zeldin “turned angry” when his military record came up. James LaCarrubba, Brian Foley's top aide, said no one questions Zeldin's service, just his demeanor. "We appreciate his service. But this is a man who wants to represent 300,000 people. And a candidate in a room full of people should be able to control his temper," he said.
- Senate Democrats significantly outraise GOP foes – With all the numbers in, Senate Democrats can now report a combined $25 million in fundraising for re-election efforts over the last 20 months, $10 million more than GOP lawmakers. "I think we'll expand the majority," said Sen. Jeff Klein, the chairman of the DSCC.
- Democratic Candidate Joanne Yepsen’s impressive fundraising haul continues to garner attention - The Saratogian became the latest media outlet to focus on Yepsen’s fundraising numbers. Yepsen announced last week that she has raised more than three times as much as her opponent since she announced her candidacy less than three months ago. Yepsen brought in a total $70,000, and currently has $60,000 cash on hand. Her opponent, Roy McDonald, shockingly announced that his cash on hand actually went down over the past six months. After starting January with $48,000 in the bank, he now has just $44,000.
Empire State Pride Agenda Releases First Round of Endorsements
By Mike Connery on 07/13/2010 @ 02:58 PM
Empire State Pride Agenda has announced their first round of candidate endorsements, and a number of New York Senate Dems candidates made the list, including Regina Calcaterra, Brian Foley, Tony Avella, Mike Gianaris, Mike Kaplowitz, Didi Barrett, and Dave Valesky.
Statement from Empire state Pride Agenda below:
New York, NY, July 13, 2010— The Empire State Pride Agenda, New York’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, has announced today its first round of endorsements for the 2010 Primary and General Elections. The 20 candidates endorsed have either been strong allies of the LGBT community in the New York State Legislature on issues at the top of the Pride Agenda’s public policy agenda, or have pledged their support on such issues including marriage equality for same-sex couples, ending legal discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and increasing funding for LGBT health and human services providers. The complete list of issues that candidates were questioned on can be seen on the Pride Agenda’s candidate questionnaire at:
http://prideagenda.org/Portals/0/campaigns/Pride%20Agenda%20State%20Legislative %20Candidate%20Questionnaire-2010.pdf.
“We view this election as a crucial step toward accomplishing our governmental priorities for New York’s LGBT community,” said Executive Director Ross Levi. “We need—and will only be endorsing—candidates who already are or will be unabashed legislative allies who demonstrate their support for LGBT equality and justice with complete clarity.”
Two Minutes with Mike Gianaris
By Mike Connery on 05/06/2010 @ 10:00 AM
Here's a brief interview with Assemblyman Mike Gianaris, who is running to replace retiring State Senator George Onorato in the 12th Senate District. Gianaris discusses the budget, and how to reform Albany.
