Andrew Cuomo: This Election is About Our Values
By Mike Connery on 10/14/2010 @ 12:03 PM
In this new video from the Brian Foley campaign, Andrew Cuomo endorses Senator Foley and calls for local voters to rise above the politics of hate on display at a recent local Tea Party rally by Zeldin supporters.Zeldin's Supporters Disrupt Women for Foley Rally
By Mike Connery on 10/11/2010 @ 05:03 PM
Lee Zeldin's supporters showed their true colors at a Women for Foley rally this weekend. Protesters waved a South Carolina secessionist flag and signs supporting Arizona's harsh anti-immigrant laws. One protester was caught on film making an obscene gesture towards Foley supporters.
You stay classy Zeldin supporters.
Behind the paywall at Newsday, Dan Janison also covered the antics of Zeldin supporters, and City Hall News has a follow-up today, including a statement from the Brian Foley campaign:
“Yesterday’s insulting display by Zeldin supporters shows once again that my opponent does not share the values of Long Islanders. It is disgraceful and offensive that a flag of division and hatred is the symbol of Lee Zeldin’s campaign,” Foley said in a statement. “Outside interests from other regions of the country who are bankrolling this campaign of fear, lies and distortions are not welcome in our community and I am confident that Long Islanders will reject Zeldin’s extremist agenda.”
The Zeldin campaign has yet to issue a statement. What are they waiting for?
Daily Campaign Roundup: Endorsements Continue To Pile Up
By Mike Connery on 07/23/2010 @ 04:46 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Numerous Democrats endorsed by Human Rights Campaign New York. Tony Avella received major union endorsement. Republican incumbent Stephen Saland spends $19,000 on dinner.
- Human Rights Campaign New York endorses Democratic candidates for State Senate - The Human Rights Campaign New York endorsed numerous Democratic challengers and incumbents who are all supporters of marriage equality and whose election will "put New York on a path to fairness and equality for same-sex couples in the state." They endorsed incumbent Senators Brian Foley, Craig Johnson, Tom Duane, and Dave Valesky -- and Democratic candidates Dave Mejias, Tony Avella, and Regina Calcaterra. Not a single Republican was endorsed by the group.
- Democratic Candidate Tony Avella endorsed by major retail union - Tony Avella, running against 38-year Republican incumbent Frank Padavan, was endorsed Thursday by a massive retail union yesterday. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which represents 100,000 workers across the United States and Canada, gave Avella the nod Thursday, calling him “an independent voice for working New Yorkers and taxpayers.” “He’s exactly the kind of reformer we desperately need in Albany right now,” said Stuart Applebaum, the union’s president.
- Republican senator Stephen Saland spends $19,000 on dinner - Showing just how out of touch he really is, Saland attended a $19,000 black-tie dinner for his re-election campaign that was thrown by a politically connected couple in April at their Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, estate. The $19,000 dinner was listed as an in-kind donation to Saland's campaign. That means it was for services rendered for a political function, but not a direct monetary contribution. "There's a lot of trust with the reporting by the campaigns," said Dick Dadey, executive director of Citizens Union, a good-government group. "There's very little if any verification."
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.
Daily Campaign Roundup: Democrats' Fundraising and Petitioning Numbers Continue To Impress
By Mike Connery on 07/16/2010 @ 03:19 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Newsday profiles Democratic confidence and strength. Joanne Yepsen outraises her opponent by three-to-one margin. Didi Barrett raises over $160,000, collects over 3,700 signatures. Sens. David Valesky, Darrel Aubertine and William Stachowski outraise opponents, post impressive fundraising numbers.
- Newsday: On and off L.I., state Senate Dems tout petition and fund totals - Dan Janison, of Newsday, wrote a piece on how Senate Democrats are "blowing our political horns" with our impressive fundraising and petition totals. He specifically mentioned the strength of two Long Island campaigns: Sen. Brian Foley's campaign, which has over $240,000 cash on hand and who filed 4,073 Democratic signatures with the Suffolk County Board of Elections -four times the amount required to qualify for the ballot; and Regina Calcaterra, who raised over $260,000 since announcing her candidacy this year and now has nearly $180,000 in cash on hand to help her unseat 34-year Republican incumbent Ken LaValle. He also mentioned the fundraising prowess of Susan Savage. Savage raised $75,000 over the past six months - almost doubling the haul of her opponent, 34-year Republican incumbent Hugh Farley.
- Democratic Candidate Joanne Yepsen outraises her opponent by more than three to one margin - Joanne Yepsen announced 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. "We raised money the old fashioned way," said Yepsen. "We have connected with our supporters on a grassroots level, collecting many small checks -- they add up quickly."
- Democratic Candidate Didi Barrett raises over $160,000, gathers over 3,700 signatures - Didi Barrett reported yesterday that she raised over $160,000 since declaring her candidacy just three months ago. The number far surpasses the amount of cash her opponent, a 30-year Albany insider, had on hand when Barrett entered the race. The campaign also collected 3,700 signatures -- almost four times the required amount to get on the ballot. Signatures were collected from every town in the district, evidence of the incredibly large and diverse group of supporters of Barrett’s campaign.“We’re very happy,” said Marian Rivman, Barrett’s communications director. “There’s been a wonderful response to Didi, and the numbers have exceeded our expectations—especially given that she’s a first time candidate.”
- Sen. David Valesky posts impressive fundraising totals - While his Republican challengers are mired in a costly primary battle, Sen. Valesky has continued to hum along. Valesky raised $200,000 over the past six months, and has $465,580 in his campaign coffers.
- Sen. Darrel Aubertine outraises his opponent - Sen. Aubertine outpaced his Republican challenger's fundraising total by about $24,000 during the first six months of the year. Sen. Aubertine raised over $87,000 in the period, and now has over $159,000 in cash on hand - or about $110,000 more than his opponent.
- Sen. William Stachowski has over $287,000 in cash on hand, gathers over 3,000 signatures - Sen. Stachowski announced that he now has over $287,000 in cash on hand, after raising nearly $142,000 over the past six months. He also submitted 3,447 signatures for his ballot peition, well over the required amount to gain ballot access. "Voters in my district are coming to appreciate the importance of qualified, independent representation," he said.
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.”
Daily Campaign Roundup: RNC Cash Can't Stop Didi Barrett
By Mike Connery on 07/02/2010 @ 12:46 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Democratic Candidate Didi Barrett's campaign catches the attention of RNC and Michael Steele. Democratic Candidate Kathleen Joy opens new campaign headquarters. Sen. Brian Foley opens up funding for schools.
- Democratic Candidate Didi Barrett's campaign scares Michael Steele and RNC into dumping cash in her district - Barrett is running against Republican Stephen Saland. The national GOP has recently announced it will be funneling cash for local elections directly to county leaders in New York. One of the first areas to receive RNC dollars will be Dutchess county, which entails 80% of SD-41, where Barrett is running against Republican Stephen Saland. The GOP is definitely on the defensive and Barrett's campaign definitely has them scared. She summed it up best herself: "Clearly our message of creating jobs and reforming Albany is resonating with voters – the GOP is running scared – and they’re going to pour money into this district to try and hold this seat and influence your vote."
- Democratic Candidate Kathleen Joy opens new campaign headquarters - Joy, running against 18-year Republican incumbent John DeFrancisco, opened the doors to her new campaign headquarters inside the State Tower Building. Surrounded by supporters and local elected officials, she emphasized the need for a new perspective for her district. “For decades, my Senate District, which includes much of Onondaga County, suffered from politics as usual in Albany. Important decisions, like the budget, were done behind closed doors. That’s not the way to get things done. Democrats have made progress, but we have to continue to reform the way we do business in Albany,” she said.
- Senator Brian Foley increases school district access to reserve funds - Senator Foley sponsored legislation, which passed the Senate this week, that will increase the ability of school districts to access their reserve funds. Under the legislation, the total savings for the 653 eligible school districts in New York would be $486.1 million. The total savings for eligible districts within the third senate district would be $45.7 million, with an average savings among districts being $3.8 million."As legislators, we must do everything we can to protect public education and to ensure that our students receive the best possible education without allowing taxes to be raised to the point that families are driven out of our state," Foley said. "By providing districts with another avenue through which to use reserve funds to offset or eliminate tax increases and staffing cuts, both of the goals will be accomplished."
Democrats Help New Yorkers While GOP Helps Themselves
By Mike Connery on 06/28/2010 @ 11:45 AM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Regina Calcaterra fights for higher quality and lower tuition at SUNY schools. Tony Avella stands with Queens residents in protesting MTA service cuts. Democrat Edward O'Shea to run against Republican incumbent Michael Nozzolio. Steve Levy and Senate GOP still desperately plotting. Sens. Aubertine and Johnson passing comprehensive legislation that will help New Yorkers across the state.
- Democratic Candidate Regina Calcaterra assails opponent’s support of SUNY tuition hikes while fighting reform – Calcaterra criticized her opponent, 34-year Republican incumbent Ken LaValle, for fighting much-needed reforms throughout SUNY while being on record as supporting regular tuition hikes for students and their parents. "Before students and their parents have to pay one more additional dollar in tuition at SUNY, we need to institute major accounting and oversight reform throughout the entire state university system," she said. "Ken LaValle has it exactly backwards. He's fighting reforms even though he's previously said publicly he'd be OK if SUNY increased tuition on a regular basis."
- Democratic Candidate Tony Avella stands with Queens residents in protesting MTA service cuts – Avella is standing with the residents in Queens who are irate over the recent MTA service adjustments that severely effect the country’s service. One of the most controversial changes was with the Q15A, a new alternate route of the Q15 bus meant to pick up riders stranded by the elimination of the Q14. The route has now routed down a residential stretch of 10th Ave. that residents say is too narrow. Avella stood with dozens of Queens residents yesterday in front of one of the Q15A buses in a show of solidarity and support.
- Edward O’Shea to challenge 18-year Republican incumbent Michael Nozzolio in SD-54- O’Shea, the vice chairman of the Wayne County Democratic Committee, announced he is running against Nozzolio - only the third person to do so in the past 18 years. O'Shea is an English professor at the State University of New York at Oswego. "When our main government agency, our legislative body, is not working for us, that's a major problem," he said. "Senator Nozzolio has been in office for 18 years, and if he were a reform-minded person, he would've done something about this already."
- Steve Levy continues desperate political maneuvers, teams up with Senate GOP – Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, who left the Democratic party in a failed effort to win the GOP gubernatorial nomination, is now looking to remain politically relevant by working with incumbent GOP lawmakers, Liz Benjamin of Capital Tonight reports. As she writes: “The point here really isn’t what the party-switching county executive is calling for, but rather that he’s continuing to stand with the Republicans even after their county leaders rejected his effort to run on their line for governor.” Levy’s presence continues to be a potentially divisive issue for Republicans as he has not yet endorsed GOP candidate Rick Lazio, nor has he ruled out running on a third party line.
- Sen. Craig Johnson passes legislation that will improve quality of life for seniors, upgrade New York’s infrastructure- Sen. Johnson was successful in pushing two integral legislative packages through the Senate last week. Sen. Johnson passed a comprehensive legislative package that will expand and increase access to services for seniors on Long Island and across New York. “After a lifetime of hard work and providing for their families, our seniors deserve fundamental protections and services in order to continue to lead healthy and active lives,” he said. “My legislation would expand the opportunity for seniors to get the tax relief for which they are entitled. While more needs to be done, this package will help more seniors stay in their homes and in their communities.”
Sen. Johnson was also responsible for the passage of a comprehensive strategy to build safer roads and highways which will cut costs for municipalities and improve the quality of life for residents throughout the state. “This is a blueprint that will help Long Island and the rest of New York State plan better and plan smarter,” he said said. “I am proud of this legislative package, which will help make Long Island more pedestrian friendly, less congested and more environmentally sustainable.” - Sen, Darrell Aubertine fights to restore crucial agriculture funding and pushes local trade benefits for district – Sen. Aubertine continued to fight for the additional funding and support of local businesses in his district last week. Aubertine first made sure that the most recent budget moved around limited revenue for agriculture programs to better target essential programs, while also restoring key funding the governor’s budget would have omitted. “This budget agreement restores more than $2.5 million in local funding for agriculture and reprioritizes funding to help our state’s number one industry,” Sen. Aubertine said.
Also, a bill sponsored by Sen. Aubertine that would extend Foreign Trade Zone benefits from Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority's industrial park and port to businesses throughout St. Lawrence County passed the Senate last week. This was a step officials said would be required to argue for the change to the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone Board, who makes the final decision. "We need to give our communities the ability to create and sustain jobs, and this legislation is part of a larger effort to grow the economy of St. Lawrence County," he said. - Sen. Brian Foley hosts forum to educate school administrators about addressing bullying – Sen. Foley hosted a forum for school administrators his school district to inform them on how to best address the issue of bullying within their schools. "Bullying is something that cannot be tolerated among our students, whether it occurs within the four walls of the school or within the limitless walls of the internet after school hours," said Foley. "The goal of today's event is to give school administrators the most up-to-date information about the known dangers and effects of bullying, the legal aspects of it and how administrators can best work with parents to address concerns.”
Foley Ranked #1 Senator on Environment
By Mike Connery on 05/14/2010 @ 01:34 PM
Senator Brian Foley, who yesterday announced new legislation to enforce stricter energy efficiency standards, was ranked as one of the top legislators in the state senate on environmental issues in the latest EPL Voters' Guide.
Democrats Pass Earth Day Environment 2010 Agenda
By Mike Connery on 04/22/2010 @ 01:01 PM
Yesterday, the Senate Democrats passed a package of reforms that will protect our environment and the health of our children. The reforms, sponsored by Senate Dems Daniel Squadron, Antoine Thompson, Liz Kreuger, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Brian Foley, included:
- S3593 / Krueger: Institutes a rechargeable battery producer and retailer sponsored take back program at no costs to consumers.
Two Republicans voted No on the bill: Betty Little and John Flanagan. - S6141B / Squadron: Requires Auto Dealerships to post a Gallons Per Mile Fuel Savings Guide within the dealership that presents information developed by the DEC.
26 Republicans voted No on the bill: Alesi, Bonacic, DeFrancisco, Farley, Flanagan, Fuschillo, Golden, Griffo, Hannon, Owen Johnson, Larkin, Leibell, Libous, Little, Marcellino, Maziarz, McDonald, Nozzolio, Ranzenhofer, Robach, Saland, Seward, Skelos, Volker, Winner, and Young. - S6047A / Thompson: Establishes a comprehensive State-wide electronic equipment reuse and recycling program.
- S4983C / Foley: Limits pesticide exposures for school and daycare aged children by prohibiting certain outdoor, non-essential applications on playgrounds, turf, and athletic or playing fields.
22 Republicans voted No on the bill: Bonacic, DeFrancisco, Farley, Golden, Griffo, Hannon, Owen Johnson, Lanza, Larkin, Leibell, Libous, Little, Marcellino, Maziarz, Nozzolio, Ranzenhofer, Saland, Seward, Skelos, Volker, Winner, and Young. - S3296-G / Thompson: Prohibits the manufacture, distribution and sale of child care products such as pacifiers, bottles and sippy cups that contain Bisphenol.
- S5119 / Stewart-Cousins: Reduces the State’s waste by prohibiting the purchase and use of non-recyclable paper/mailing products.
21 Republicans voted No on the bill: Alesi, Bonacic, DeFrancisco, Farley, Flanagan, Golden, Griffo, Owen Johnson, Larkin, Libous, Little, Maziarz, McDonald, Nozzolio, Ranzenhofer, Saland, Seward, Skelos, Volker, Winner and Young.
Watch a video of the Democrats' press conference on the passage of this legislation package:
Quinnipiac Poll Spells Trouble for Republicans
By Mike Connery on 04/15/2010 @ 04:26 PM
Here's some bad news for Republicans hoping to ride a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment back into the majority in the state Senate. A new poll from Quinnipiac shows that while anti-incumbent sentiment is higher than ever, that dissatisfaction is disproportionately directed towards the NY GOP.
Voters also want 50 - 39 percent to clean house in the State Senate, including voting out their own State Senator. This is the strongest anti-incumbent sentiment ever measure in New York. Democrats want to stick with their Senator 51 - 38 percent. Anti-incumbent feeling is 57 - 30 percent among Republicans and 59 - 32 percent among independent voters.
Combined with the voter enrollment data coming out of NYPIRG earlier this week, this is bad news from some Republicans. Of the five districts in which the voter enrollment shifted to Democrats in the last two years, four of those districts belong to incumbent Republicans: Alesi, Hannon, O. Johnson and Fuschillo. The fifth district that flipped belongs to Brian Foley, where more Democrats on the rolls will help shore up his base of support.
Fewer Republicans on the voter rolls combined with a GOP base and swing electorate upset with Republicans will make for a challenging campaign season for Republicans and could tip the balance towards Democrats in a few races.
