Senate Class of 2010 Getting Positive Reaction
By Mike Connery on 05/27/2010 @ 01:01 PM
After their introduction to the New York Democratic political scene yesterday at the state convention, the members Senate Democrats Class of 2010 are receiving positive attention in the progressive blogosphere and from the state political press. Here's a sampling of the coverage thus far:
- The Albany Project loved the launch video, particularly the introduction by former City Councilman Tony Avella, who is challenging Frank Padavan in SD-11.
- Rochester Turning also loved the video, and was excited about the campaigns of Robin Wilt and Mary Wimot.
- Jimmy Vielkind chatted with Mary Wilmot and Susan Savage about their respective races.
- Celeste Katz posted our video, and provided coverage to all of our candidates.
- Finally, our candidates received a shout-out on the State of Politics blog.
If you haven't met the Class of 2010 yourself, be sure to check out the video and use our new battleground map to connect with their campaigns.
Change Albany Now: Senate Class of 2010
By Mike Connery on 05/26/2010 @ 05:01 PM
Earlier today at the State Party Convention, Senator Sampson introduced the Democratic Party, and all of New York, to the Senate Class of 2010. You can read his full remarks here (video coming soon).
As Senator Sampson noted in his address, these are the women and men in whom we are investing our hopes for the future. They are challenging Republican incumbents across New York State - from Monroe County all the way out to the tip of Long Island. They are running to Change Albany Now. But they need your help.
They need your help to get our candidates on the ballot. They need your help to staff the phone banks and stuff the mailers. They need your help to knock on doors and rally Democrats around this state.
And with your help, they'll win in November and bring real change to Albany.
Meet the Democratic Senate Class of 2010, and listen to their vision for a reformed New York. Then go out into your districts, recruit your friends and family, and help make that vision a reality.
Republicans Give Their Own Party a Vote of No Confidence
By Mike Connery on 05/05/2010 @ 10:00 AM
An article in today's New York Times paints a dim picture of Republican prospects up and down the ticket this cycle.
With the Republican State Convention approaching, the party is plagued by infighting, short of money and struggling to assemble a competitive slate of statewide candidates for the fall, leaving many party leaders worried that they are poorly positioned to exploit what might be the most favorable political climate for New York Republicans in years.
At the top of the ticket, the GOP's most viable candidate is all but invisible, eclipsed by Paladino's racist emails, and a media-grabbing challenge by a former Democrat with a history of anti-immigrant rhetoric. High profile candidates have taken a pass at challenging Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and a Republican has yet to announce for the AG race.
The situation has party leaders and potential candidates all expressing dismay at the state of the party's political bench, all the way down to the State Senate:
“I’m just disappointed at the inability to attract top-level candidates in some of the statewide and Congressional and State Senate races,” said Henry F. Wojtaszek, a former chairman of the Niagara County party who lost a bid for state chairman to Mr. Cox last fall.
...
Elizabeth N. Feld, former mayor of the Westchester village of Larchmont, ran a spirited race in 2008 against the local Democratic state senator, but decided against a rematch this year.
“A lot of Republicans who might have run for office this year said, ‘I don’t have faith in this leadership,’ ” Ms. Feld said.
This is another piece in a string of bad news for Senate Republicans' political prospects. Unmentioned in the piece are the retirements of two Republican Senators - Dale Volker and Vincent Leibell. In both races, it looks as if a bruising primary season is in store for Republican candidates. A recent Quinnipiac Poll showed greater dissatisfaction and anti-incumbent sentiment among Republican base voters than among Democrats, and a NYPIRG study of voter enrollment data showing gains for Democrats in 51 of the Senate's 62 districts.
By contrast, Senate Democrats already have challengers announced in half a dozen races, and will bring the fight to many more Republican incumbents this cycle.
Quick Hits from the Campaign Trail: Another Repub Bites the Dust, Ritchie's Resume
By Mike Connery on 04/30/2010 @ 01:16 PM
The latest news from our conference, candidates, and campaigns.
- The Democratic Rural Conference kicks-off today.
- Dale Volker is retiring. Another Republican bites the dust.
- The Buffalo News likes some of the Democrat's Sunshine reforms.
- José Peralta is demanding that all GOP Gubernatorial candidates declare that they will never impose Arizona-style immigration laws on New York.
- Joe Addabbo is promoting green savings to local businesses and community leaders.
- Is this Patty Ritchie's resume? If so, would you vote for her?
- Eric Adams is promoting veteran friendly campuses.
- Didi Barrett continues to blog at The Albany Project.
- Finally, Greg Ball has . . . well, you know.
Quick Hits from the Campaign Trail: Yepsen Announces, Arizona's Immigration Law Hits New Yorkers
By Mike Connery on 04/29/2010 @ 11:01 AM
The latest news from our conference, candidates, and campaigns.
- At 2pm today, Joanne Yepsen will announce her candidacy for the 43rd Senate District, challenging Joe Bruno heir Roy McDonald. The Troy Record and Albany Times Union have already covered the announcement.
- More information is coming out on Republican Sullivan County Legislator Dave Sager, who wants to switch his party affiliation to Democrat and challenge incumbent Republican John Bonacic.
- Local teacher Glenn Dannaham is also running to unseat Bonacic.
- Tom Libous took time out of his busy schedule to bash video games. Next week he'll be yelling at kids to get off his lawn.
- Two of the Republicans vying to replace Vincent Leibell - Mary Beth Murphy and Jim Borkowski - get profiled in the Lewisboro Ledger.
- Craig Johnson is calling on those disappointed with the Arizona law to not take out their anger on AriZona Iced Tea, which is actually a Long Island-based company.
- José Peralta, and José Serrano slammed Arizona's new immigration enforcement law:
Weekend Senate Update: Montgomery's Bill; Ball Gets Dropped; Bruno in Chains
By Mike Connery on 04/26/2010 @ 11:01 AM
Senator Joe Addabbo is hosting a hearing on campaign finance reform today from 10 - 1pm. Watch live:
- Velmanette Montgomery introduced legislation that would restore funding to successful community-based rehabilitation programs for low-risk juvenile offenders. The New York Times enthusiastically endorsed the bill in an op-ed this morning.
- Tea Bagger Greg Ball got caught lying to donors and the GOP is not happy.
- Senator Antoine Thompson hosted a jobs fair in Buffalo, and has another one in the works.
- LGBT advocate and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt endorsed the reelection of Democrat Bill Stachowski.
- Assembly Member Rory Lancman (25th Assembly District) announced his endorsement of former City Council Member Tony Avella for the New York State Senate (11th Senate District).
- Finally, the US Department of Justice filed a sentencing memo recommending that convicted felon and ex-Republican Leader Joe Bruno be locked away for more than 8 years. Read the sentencing memo here.
Quick Hits from the Trail: Valesky Gets Endorsed, Three-Way in SD-40
By Mike Connery on 04/22/2010 @ 04:08 PM
A few quick hits from the campaign trail today:
- Yet another Republican - Jim Borkowski - is throwing his hat into the ring to replace Senator Vincent Leibell. That makes this a three-way primary.
- Madison County Democrats met and endorsed the reelection of Senator Dave Valesky.
- The Oswego Tea Party does not like Pattie Ritchie.
- Mike DiSanto announced that he is running to take out Brooklyn's last Republican, Martin Golden.
- More press coverage of Breslin's reelection campaign launch.
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:
Quick Hits from the Trail: Tea Bagger Showdown in SD-40
By Mike Connery on 04/21/2010 @ 02:26 PM
A few quick hits from the campaign trail.
- Tea bag candidate Greg Ball picked up a primary challenger in his bid to replace Vincent Leibell in the 40th Senate District. Somers Town Supervisory Mary Beth Murphy announced that she will challenge Ball for the seat. This should be fun to watch.
- Across the aisle, Democrat Mike Kaplowitz announced his intention to run for the seat. You can read his announcement address on his site. Read press coverage of the announcement on LoHud and Mid Hudson News.
- Finally, don't forget that Didi Barrett will be guest-blogging live on The Albany Project tonight at 7pm.
Poison Party?
By Mike Connery on 04/21/2010 @ 11:10 AM
Helping children is usually about as uncontroversial an issue as you can find in politics. Children are our future. Everyone is for children. Unless you're in the New York GOP.
Yesterday, as part of a package of Earth Day related legislation, the State Senate passed a bill sponsored by Brian Foley that prohibits the use of certain toxic chemicals for pesticide and weed control at schools.
Bill Before New York State Lawmakers Would Ban Use of Pesticides on School Playing Fields
Chemical companies are pressing lawmakers to vote against the bill. They say pesticides are highly regulated and safe to use.
Children are especially susceptible to pesticides because of their small size and still-developing organs, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Rather than a purely chemical approach, the agency recommends schools use Integrated Pest Management, which combines several more organic and less toxic techniques to manage pests and weeds, such as overseeding, mowing grass taller, watering less and applying “compost tea,” a liquefied form of compost.
“Put simply, IPM is a safer, and usually less costly option for effective pest management in a school community,” EPA regulators said.
It's not just safer, though. It could also save schools money in the long term:
Schools would see a slight increase in cost during the first two years of IPM, but after the third year, the price would fall about 25 percent below the costs of chemical lawn treatment, according to a study by Grassroots Environmental Education, a nonprofit public health advocacy group in Nassau County. That group has offered free training to school groundskeepers on ways to care for fields without pesticides.
Keeps kids healthy? Check. Fiscally responsible? Check. So why are 22 GOP Senators opposed to this again?
Quick Hits from the Campaign Trail
By Mike Connery on 04/19/2010 @ 10:31 AM
- The Columbia Spectator reports that Sen. Bill Perkins launched his reelection campaign over the weekend in SD-30.
- Didi Barrett recapped the first week and a half of her campaign to unseat Steve Saland, and announced that she will be guest-blogging on The Albany Project on Wednesday evening.
- And on the other side of the aisle, Senator Vincent Leibell announced his candidacy for Putnam County Executive, leaving an open race in SD-40 with County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz expected to take on Tea Party candidate Greg Ball.
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