Tom Libous Defends his Pal(adino)
By Mike Connery on 07/12/2010 @ 04:28 PM
Jon Campbell writes today for Gannett about SRCC chair Tom Libous’ appearance over the weekend with Tea Party-backed gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino in Broome County.
In the article, Libous takes offense with our depiction of him as a cash-starved deal-maker willing to break with his own party for dirty campaign funds. He tells Campbell that his appearance at the event was simply motivated by his shared beliefs with Paladino:
"They're criticizing me for being joined by a gentleman that wants to cut taxes, reduce spending and create jobs in New York state," Libous said. "Is there a problem with that?"
Leaving aside the fact that Carl Paladino is no gentleman, we sure do have a problem with this statement. A brief look at Libous' record of fiscal mismanagement reveals a career completely at odds with the values he claims to hold.
According to the legislative tracking system StateWatch, Libous has voted “yes” for over 500 separate tax and fee increases since 1990. What did that cost to New York state taxpayers? $29.2 billion.
And under the less than watchful eye of Tom Libous, the former Republican Majority amassed massive state debt to fund their special interest projects. How much debt? Between 1997 and 2008 the state’s debt grew a whopping 57 percent.
Fiscal conservative, Libous is not. So why would Paladino want to associate with a tax-and-borrow Republican like Libous? And why is Tom Libous up in Broome County meeting with disgraced candidate Carl Paladino?
Political opportunism - plain and simple.
After failing to secure the Republican line, and having his bigotry publicly exposed, Paladino is grasping at straws to remain credible. Meanwhile, Libous knows his SRCC is in trouble. Without the special interest funds that once flowed freely to the SRCC, Libous is willing to cozy up to anyone with deep pockets - no matter how odious their personal politics (remember he also met with turncoat Steve Levy to discuss using $4 million of Levy's funds).
In a bid for Paladino's cash, Libous is willing to give lip service to the Tea Party line on taxes and spending. His record tells us something different though.
Daily Campaign Roundup: SRCC and Libous Reach New Low
By Mike Connery on 07/12/2010 @ 12:46 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. SRCC chair Tom Libous forced to defend his appearance with Carl Paladino. Sen. Darrel Aubertine protecting senior citizens from fraud. Sen. Bill Stachowksi creates program to help prevent and recognize concussions.
- SRCC chair Tom Libous forced to answer questions as he appears with Carl Paladino - Gannett notes thatGOP dealmaking and dysfunction was out in full force this weekend as Libous appeared at Tea Party-funded event at in Endwell with GOP gubernatorial hopeful Carl Paladino -- while reiterating that he supports GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio. Pressed to defend his appearance, he replied: "They're criticizing me for being joined by a gentleman that wants to cut taxes, reduce spending and create jobs in New York state. Is there a problem with that?" Libous conveniently left out that Paladino is also actively working to subvert the GOP and their candidates, which one would think should be a problem to a chair of the SRCC.
- Liedka on his way out? We've reported in the past about Andrew Russo, the concert-pianist who is backed by the cash-starved SRCC in SD 49. Fundraising numbers for his primary opponent Danny Liedka were reported today, and the news isn't good (for Liedka, that is). According to the Auburn Pub, Liedka raised $48k and has just $5k cash-on-hand. Russo is reported to have raised 4 times that number, meaning that Libous' hand-picked candidate - a virtual unknown in local politics - will be the likely challenger to Dave Valesky in November.
- Sen. Darrel Aubertine warns seniors of insurance Medicare scammers - Sen. Aubertine is urging North Country senior citizens to listen to the New York State Insurance Department’s warning about scammers trying to profit from Medicare rebates. They are advising senior citizens not to give out personal information to anyone claiming they can deliver or speed up $250 rebates for Medicare Part D now available through federal health care reforms. “Too often we see con artists trying to take advantage of our senior citizens by stealing personal information,” Sen. Aubertine said. “Our seniors need to be aware that in other states there have been reports of people asking for personal information or an upfront fee to expedite these rebate checks. It’s important to remember never to give out bank account information, social security numbers or any other personal information. I want to thank the state Insurance Department for its efforts and local media for helping get the word out.”
- Sen. Bill Stachowski creates program to help In prevention and recognition of concussions - In an effort led by Sen. Stachowski , the Senate passed legislation to establish the Head Injury Awareness and Prevention Act. The measure creates several programs that will improve early intervention and response of coaches and parents by educating them on the proper evaluation and management of concussions. “Thousands of school aged children in New York State are brought to the emergency room each year with concussions,” said Sen. Stachowski, the bill’s sponsor. “Because many concussions happen while students are playing sports on school teams, in gym class, and even accidentally in the classroom, it is extremely important to have properly trained individuals on hand who can correctly evaluate the signs and symptoms of a concussion. Coaches, teachers, administrators, parents, guardians, and students themselves should be educated in recognizing these symptoms. This legislation will do just that by establishing the New York State Head Injury Awareness and Prevention Program.
Daily Campaign Roundup: Calcattera, Democrats Fighting For Long Island
By Mike Connery on 07/09/2010 @ 03:46 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Long Island to be battleground in November elections. Democratic Candidate Regina Calcaterra praised by local media. Press questions SRCC chair Tom Libous' ties to Steve Levy and Carl Paladino.
- Long Island a fertile battleground for Democrats this November – Newsday profiled this year’s Senate races yesterday and identified various races across Long Island as being competitive for Democrats this year. Mentioned as the most vulnerable Republicans were 34-year incumbent Ken LaValle, who is being challenged by Regina Calcaterra, and 21-year incumbent Kemp Hannon, who is being challenged by Dave Mejias.
- Democratic Candidate Regina Calcaterra praised by local press – T.J. Clemente, the most recent reporter to profile Calcaterra in her race against 34-year incumbent Ken LaValle, lauded her as a “young gifted fighter with energy and ideals.” He also added: “There are forces at work when she speaks. Every word about this election seems to bring up a passion seen only in individuals with a singularity of purpose.”
- The New York Observer also questions SRCC chair Tom Libous’ ties to political turncoats– We weren’t the only ones to bash SRCC chair Libous’ ties to Steve Levy and Carl Paladino. The New York Observer also found it puzzling, calling it “somewhat odd that Libous would appear alongside Paladino, since Rick Lazio is now the GOP's gubernatorial designee, and Paladino is threatening to run on a third party line.”
How Low Will Tom Libous Go?
By Mike Connery on 07/09/2010 @ 11:28 AM
Tom Libous, chair of the cash-starved, shoe-string SRCC, continues to make strange political bedfellows. Just a few weeks ago, he was making deals with Democrat-turned-Republican gubernatorial hopeful Steve Levy. Today, Libous will appear at a Tea Party event with none other than multi-millionaire turncoat Carl Paladino.
All of this leads us to wonder - how low is Tom Libous willing to go in his desperate bid for more campaign cash?
Carl Paladino's campaign crashed and burned when his proclivity for racist, sexist email forwards was revealed. Now he is attempting to keep his candidacy alive by throwing his millions into petitioning efforts across the state. He's even exploring the possibility of using his cash to create a new ballot line -- creatively dubbed the "Taxed Enough Already" (T.E.A.) Party.
Already politically toxic for bigoted, anti-immigrant statements made during his tenure as Suffolk County Executive, Steve Levy also refuses to give up his failed bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, and may pursue a third party run. What's more, he is now embroiled in a fresh scandal involving improper contracts granted to his wife's business.
As these two - bigots and turncoats both - tear apart the Republican Party for their own ambition, what, exactly do Libous and the Senate Republicans stand to gain by lending their support? How much of Levy's war chest will make its way into SRCC coffers? And how deep will Paladino go into his personal piggy bank to help out the sputtering SRCC?
Tom Libous is sinking to new lows by lending his support to Levy and Paladino. When the campaign finance filings are revealed on Wednesday, we'll see if the SRCC's support of these turncoats is worth the price tag.
Daily Campaign Roundup: Savage Stands With Nurses As SRCC Stands With Paladino
By Mike Connery on 07/08/2010 @ 03:46 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Democratic Candidate Susan Savage pickets with nurses demanding a fair contract. SRCC Chair shows desperation, set to appear with Carl Paladino. Sen. Craig Johnson gets support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
- Democratic Candidate Susan Savage stands with nurses in demanding fair contract – Savage, running against 34-year Republican incumbent Hugh Farley, walked a picket line with nurses in her district who are seeking a new contract. The nurses are asking for, and have so far been denied, a combination of fair wages, health care benefits, and nursing ratios.
- SRCC chair Tom Libous teaming up with Carl Paladino – Libous, chair of the SRCC, will appear at a Tea Party event tomorrow with multi-millionaire turncoat Carl Paladino. Libous and Senate Republicans must be desperate to court Paladino, who is still petitioning to get the GOP gubernatorial nomination (despite having been rejected by the party at their nominating convention) and is using his cash to create his own political party in an apparent attempt to siphon support away from the GOP.
- Sen. Craig Johnson gets support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg – Mayor Bloomberg is lending his name to a fundraiser next Monday to support Sen. Johnson. Mayor Bloomberg had pledged to help legislators who lead on issues of great importance to him. Charter schools are such an issue for the Mayor, and Sen. Johnson has been a fierce proponent of charter schools at the state level.
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:
The Truth About Budget Extenders
By Mike Connery on 04/27/2010 @ 12:18 PM
Yesterday the Democratic Majority Conference passed another round of budget extenders. The extenders are receiving the lion's share of media attention this morning, so it's worth taking some time to know what exactly is included in the extender, and why Republicans who vote against the extenders are not only hypocritical, but also working against the interests of the public, who rely on the jobs and services the extenders provide.
First, a look at what, exactly, the extender's fund:
- $2.57 billion mandated payments to schools for General Aid Payments not associated with the Executive’s delays of school aid payments.
- $2.5 billion for local providers of the Medical Assistance Program including:
- $1.45 billion for payments to Medicaid providers including:
- $900 million for medical services provided by State facilities operated by OMH, OMRDD and OASAS.
- $311 million for nursing home services.
- $261 million for managed care services.
- $234 million for long term care services.
- $172 million for hospital inpatient services.
- $137 million for pharmacy services
- $67 million for non-institutional and other spending.
- $30 million for outpatient and emergency room services
- $29 million for clinical services
- $12 million for transportation services
- $7 million for dental services
- $40 million for contracts approved prior to April 1, 2010 where payments must be made during the period from April 1, 2010 to May 2, 2010.
- $40 million for contracts approved in the period from April 1, 2010 to May 2, 2010 where payments must be made during the same period.
As is readily apparent, these are all vital services that New Yorkers rely upon, and represent thousands of jobs that are putting food on the table and a roof over the heads of New York families. Those who support this extender are supporting our troopers, guardsmen, corrections officers, nurses, and social service workers who care for our veterans, the homeless, and mentally disabled.
Which leads me to my next topic. Seventeen Republicans voted against the extender: DeFrancisco, Flanagan, Golden, Hannon, O. Johnson, Larkin, Libous, Marcellino, Maziarz, Nozzolio, Ranzenhofer, Seward, Skelos, Volker, Griffo, Winner and Young. Many of these Republicans have been in office for a decade or more. They had no problem voting for budget extenders when they controlled the chamber.
- 2008: 9 days late/ 2 extenders
- 2004: 133 days late/ 12 extenders
- 2003: 42 days late/ 5 extenders
- 2002: 42 days late/ 8 extenders
- 2001: 125 days late/ 12 extenders
- 2000: 39 days late/ 3 extenders
- 1999: 126 days late/ 19 extenders
- 1998: 14 days late/ 4 extenders
- 1997: 126 days late/ 10 extenders
- 1996: 104 days late/ 14 extenders
- 1995: 68 days late/ 10 extenders
Plainly, Republican opposition to the budget extenders isn't about taking a principled stand. It's about showboating for voters and shirking tough decisions. It's playing politics with people's lives and jobs. New Yorkers deserve more.
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?
Would Senate Republicans Prefer a Government Shutdown?
By Mike Connery on 04/20/2010 @ 01:26 PM
Yesterday the State Senate voted to pass budget extenders that will fund the essential functions of government and protect vital services on which millions of New Yorkers depend. The budget extenders allow the state to continue paying our troopers, guardsmen, corrections officers, nurses, and social service workers who care for our veterans, the homeless, and mentally disabled. They provide funds for Medicaid, Social Security, and Unemployment.
Without these extenders, the state cannot function, and New Yorkers already struggling to make ends meet with take yet another hard hit. This is a big deal, with an immediate impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of the state's residents. So it's worth noting that 16 Republicans - as they have so often since they lost the majority - said 'No' to a functioning government, 'No' to services for their constituents, and 'No' to paying the first responders we rely upon in emergencies by voting against the budget extenders.
Here is the list of Republicans who voted against yesterday's bill. It's a wall of shame if ever there was one:
- John DeFrancisco
- John Flanagan
- Martin Golden
- Joe Griffo
- Kemp Hannon
- William Larkin
- Ken LaValle
- Tom Libous
- Carl Marcellino
- Michael Nozzolio
- Michael Ranzenhofer
- James Seward
- Dean Skelos
- Dale Volker
- George Winner
- Catharine Young
Here's my question. With so many New Yorkers struggling, and the state facing one of the biggest fiscal crises in recent memory, does this gang of 16 really think shutting down parts of the government and letting vital services lapse is a good idea? I wonder if their constituents would agree with their answer.
New York Senate Dems Hits Republicans on Taxes and Budget
By Mike Connery on 04/16/2010 @ 05:26 PM
Yesterday was tax day, and once again hard-working New Yorkers sent too much of their tax dollars to Albany.
While New Yorkers continue to pay more than their fair share, Republicans are sitting on the sidelines, running from decades-long record of taxing, spending and borrowing away the financial stability of our state. To add insult to injury, they are refusing to participate constructively in the current budget process, and trying to blame Democrats for their own mess.
New York Senate Dems are determined to hold Republicans accountable for these actions.
Today we launched a series of robocalls into the districts of 14 Republicans who are ducking and dodging their record on taxes while the people of New York foot the bill. Calls were placed into the districts of Dean Skelos, Steve Saland, Hugh Farley, Roy McDonald, Owen Johnson, Kemp Hannon, John DeFrancisco, Tom Libous, Joe Robach, Michael Ranzenhofer, Ken LaValle, James Alesi, Frank Padavan and Joe Griffo.
Voters in each of those districts received a call informing them of their Senator's record on the budget and taxes, and asking them to call and ask their Senator to work with Democrats to resolve our state's budget crisis.
You can listen to a few of those calls below:
Dean Skelos
Kemp Hannon
Owen Johnson
Senate Republicans bear the brunt of responsibility for landing us in our current fiscal straits. They owe it to their constituents, and to all New Yorkers, to engage in good faith negotiations to help fix their mess.
We're not going to let them run from their record any longer.
Ed Note - We're still in beta and working out the hiccups, and this post was accidentally deleted from our system on Monday April 19th. A new copy was uploaded on Tuesday April 20.
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.
