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.Senator-Elect Gianaris Named New DSCC Chair
By Mike Connery on 12/28/2010 @ 10:50 AM
In case you missed it amidst all the holiday hoopla, Senate Majority Conference Leader John Sampson announced last week that he has appointed Senator-Elect Michael Gianaris as the new Chair of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. You can read the official announcement here.
Senator-Elect Gianaris appeared on Capital Tonight with Liz Benjamin recently to discuss his appointment and his plans for a leaner, meaner DSCC to help retake the majority in 2011.
Meet Your New Senator: Gustavo Rivera
By Mike Connery on 12/09/2010 @ 10:50 AM
Gustavo Rivera: Every Vote Must Be Counted
By Mike Connery on 11/23/2010 @ 02:50 PM
Leader Sampson on Capital Tonight
By Mike Connery on 11/19/2010 @ 10:50 AM
Meet Your New Senator: David Carlucci
By Mike Connery on 11/09/2010 @ 03:50 PM
On November 2nd, 29-year-old reform candidate David Carlucci surprised New York's political establishment when he captured the seat of the late Senator Thomas Morahan. Meet the new state senator from Rockland County.Senator-Elect Gianaris on the Vote Counting
By Mike Connery on 11/09/2010 @ 03:50 PM
No More Republican Bull - Volunteer!
By Mike Connery on 10/29/2010 @ 02:34 PM
For 44 years Republicans wrecked our state. Now they say they've changed. We're pretty sure we know what you call that . . . Watch our final TV ad and then volunteer to help a campaign near you.Your Volunteer Hours Can Make the Difference!
Only 4 more days until the election. Have you signed up to volunteer yet? Every hour you give will increase the votes for your favorite candidate, so sign up today.
Find out which candidates are near you using our Battleground Map.
New York City
Phone banks for many State Senate races
Email will.volunteer@gmail.com
Tony Avella SD-11
Campaign HQ: (718) 747-2137
Email tonyavellafornewyork@gmail.com.
Upstate, Hudson Valley, and Long Island
Cindy Appleton, 59th Senate District
Campaign HQ (585) 615-2986
Email cynthiaappleton2010@gmail.com
Didi Barrett, 41st Senate District
Hyde Park HQ (845) 233-5577
Email didi@didiforsenate.com
Francesca Carlow, 6th Senate District
Campaign HQ (516) 749-1850
Email vote4francesca@gmail.com
David Carlucci SD-38
Campaign HG: 845.634.0686
Email sandi@carlucci2010.com
Brian X. Foley, 3rd Senate District
Central Islip HQ (631) 234-3340
Email info@brianxfoley.com
Carol Gordon, 8th Senate District
Massapequa HQ (516) 777-0738
Email info@carolagordonforsenate.com
Kathleen Joy, 50th Senate District
Syracuse HQ (315) 476-2010
Email joyforsenate@gmail.com
Mike Kaplowitz SD-40
Campaign HQ: 845-228-9830
Click here to volunteer
Pam Mackesey, 53rd Senate District
Tompkins County HQ (607) 319-4596
Email gotv@pamforsenate.net
Jennifer Maertz, 1st Senate District
Middle Island HQ (631) 775-8560
Email jennifermaertzfornysenate@gmail.com
Susan Savage, 44th Senate District
Schenectady HQ (518) 382-9412
Email susansavageforsenate@gmail.com
Mary Wilmot, 55th Senate District
Rochester HQ (585) 340-6901
Email steve@marywilmot2010.com
Robin Wilt, 56th Senate District
Rochester HQ (585) 286-1289
Email campaign@wiltforsenate.com
Joanne Yepsen, 43rd Senate District
Saratoga Springs HQ (518) 587-9409
Email chandler@yepsenforsenate.com
Meet the Women Ready to Reform Albany
By Mike Connery on 10/18/2010 @ 10:05 AM
Republicans had 44 years to turn New York around. They failed and New York is the worse for it. Meet 12 women candidates who are ready to bring real change and relief to New York.We can't change Albany until we change the people that we send to Albany.
No One Cares Less Than Frank Padavan
By Mike Connery on 10/14/2010 @ 12:05 PM
Women for Tony Avella launched a new video today, highlighting Frank Padavan's atrocious record on women's issues and featuring women from the district calling for the election of Tony Avella.Hitting a similar theme today, Planned Parenthood takes political protection to a new level. The group is distributing condoms at bars in the 11th Senate District warning voters to protect themselves from incumbent Frank Padavan.
New Campaign Video from Susan Savage
By Mike Connery on 10/04/2010 @ 10:11 AM
Susan Savage'scampaign released a new video today talking about her working bridging the partisan divide in Schenectady county and delivering tax cuts to her constituents.Senator Krueger on the State of the Campaign
By Mike Connery on 09/23/2010 @ 03:45 PM
Senator Liz Krueger appeared on Capital Tonight with Liz Benjamin this week, where she discussed Senate Democrats' impressive slate of women candidates and why Carl Paladino will be a boon to Democrats in down ballot races. Watch the video:
Kaplowitz Calls on MIA Greg Ball to Debate
By Mike Connery on 09/18/2010 @ 03:00 PM
Democratic candidate Mike Kaplowitz has challenged his opponent - Tea Party favorite Greg Ball, to seven debates on the issues facing voters in SD-40. Ball, who has been MIA on the trail of late, has yet to respond.
Watch a short video of Mike Kaplowitz issuing his debate challenge and read the letter sent to the Ball campaign below. For more information, follow coverage from Gannet.
Susan Savage: Miracle in Schenectady
By Mike Connery on 09/16/2010 @ 05:00 PM
In the first TV ad of her campaign, Susan Savage highlights her work in the county legislature and her success in revitalizing the economy in Schenectady.
Avella: I’m Running to Take on the MTA
By Mike Connery on 09/13/2010 @ 04:00 PM
The MTA is holding public hearings this evening to discuss another round of fare hikes and proposed route cuts. Although the MTA has already implemented service cuts and layoffs, the authority says the hikes are necessary to close its budget gap, but hard working New Yorkers are feeling the burden of higher fares and decreased service in their daily lives.
Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign advocates participation in these hearings, saying “you can’t win it if you’re not in it.” Tony Avella, for one, is stepping forward to take on the MTA to fight for the rights of commuters and New Yorkers. Watch Avella’s statement on the MTA and why he’s running for state senate:
Video: New York Senate Dems at the State Democratic Convention
By Mike Connery on 06/09/2010 @ 05:26 PM
For those who couldn't be with us in Rye, NY, here's John Sampson's address to the State Party Convention, and the introduction of our 2010 slate of candidates.
The State Senate will be the most competitive electoral battleground in New York this cycle, and these women and men are the candidates we are relying on to bring real reform to Albany.
Convention Preview: Regina Calcaterra on Why She's Running
By Mike Connery on 05/26/2010 @ 01:01 AM
New York Senate Dems are in Rye this week for the State Party Convention. Tomorrow we'll unveil a slate of candidates that are ready to challenge incumbents and bring real change to Albany.
As a quick teaser to our announcement, here's video of Regina Calcaterra, the Democratic challenger to incumbent Ken LaValle in Suffolk County. Regina addresses the crowd at a New York Senate Dems reception, and talks about why she was compelled to run in 2010.
Be sure to watch through to the end to hear Regina's great knock on LaValle, and check back tomorrow to see our full slate of announced candidates.
Video: Darrel Aubertine on the Budget, Power for Jobs, and Property Tax Relief
By Mike Connery on 04/29/2010 @ 12:26 PM
Here's Darrel Aubertine explaining the importance of the Power for Jobs program, the state of budget negotiations, and why Democrats' call for property tax relief makes sense in the overall scheme of the state's finances. (hat tip to Oswego Democrat)
Quick Hits from the Trail: Skelos's Conflict of Interest, Klein's Legislation, Stewart-Cousins Responds
By Mike Connery on 04/27/2010 @ 11:01 AM
The latest news from the Democratic conference, candidates and campaigns:
- Andrea Stewart-Cousins responds to an attack by Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone.
- Senator Auburtine wants to make the Power for Jobs program permanent.
- 10 new Sunshine laws sponsored by Democrats were signed into law yesterday.
- Republican Leader Dean Skelos' Long Island law firm has a lobbying arm that raked in $284k last year, making it the third fasted growing lobby in the state. Conflict of interest anyone?
- Some of the grassroots are lining up behind Senator Breslin. Here's a positive post on the Senator by a blogger at The Albany Project.
- Senator Jeff Klein passed a bill to protect homeowners from loan modification scams. Watch him talk about the need for the bill in this video:
