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: Democrats Continue to Roll
By Mike Connery on 06/17/2010 @ 02:45 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Monroe County Democratic Candidate Robin Wilt officially kicks off her campaign; Democratic senators announce legislative progress; Republican's forced to defend Golden's cowardice and Lazio's ties to Bernie Madoff
- Robin Wilt announces candidacy for State Senate – Democrat Robin Wilt is receiving a lot of attention as she announced her campaign against Republican incumbent Joe Robach in Greece County (SD 56). Wilt is running to reform the way Albany works, lower property taxes, and create jobs. "I am tired of a system of legislative horse trading where standing on one's principles is derided as naïve and impractical," she said.
- Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins announces passage of legislation that will end voter coercion and intimidation practices – The Yonkers Insider ran a press release from Sen. Stewart-Cousins detailing the Deceptive Practices and Voter Suppression Prevention Act, a bill she recently helped pushed through the Senate. Read more about it here.
- Sen. Darrel Aubertine praised for education efforts – Education Reform Now, a Brooklyn-based public education advocate, sent mailers lauding Sen. Aubertine for supporting legislation that increases the number of charter schools statewide.
- Sen. Eric Schneidmernan wants another vote on microstamping – Sen. Schneiderman, co-sponsor of the microstamping legislation, is fighting to bring it back to the Senate floor for another vote. "I think the public outrage over essentially voting to protect gun criminals - shooters and murderers - because of some mythical harm that might be done to legitimate gun owners is just not flying," said Sen. Schneiderman.
- Martin Golden skipped microstamping vote in favor of more important “business”- Martin Golden told Liz Benjamin of Capital Tonight yesterday that he skipped out on the microstamping vote because he “had important business to take care of.” He added, however, that had he stayed on the floor and fulfilled his obligations as a senator, he would have voted against the bill.
- GOP Gubernational hopeful Rick Lazio tied to Bernie Madoff – Rick Lazio has more dysfunction and corruption to answer for today, as it was reported that he accepted thousands of dollars from ponzi-schemer Bernie Madoff, and his family, back in the the 1990s. At the time, Lazio was a congressman on the banking committee- responsible for oversight of the SEC, and ostensibly, of funds such as Madoff’s.
