Early this week a USA Today Gallup poll of "most likely voters" showed McCain had a lead of 49 to 45%, while the Gallup tracking poll of "registered voters showed Obama with a 9 point lead over McCain.
"I told them that there's going to be local control. That was the caveat that I had before I ran and they respect that. And I'm anticipating their support, despite that,"You can expect both campaigns to be funded with outside money as well as people from outside the area to assist with work duties that is reality for both of the campaigns. Dave Renzi will control his own campaign but there are many duties that require assistance of several people.
In the interim, my administration will confront the following issues: addressing the size of the state work force; further cuts to agency spending and generating proposals for public and private partnerships for our State assets.The expected General Funds deficit of $6.4 billion is roughly equivalent to the personal services portion of the General Fund. The state spends another $3 billion on employee health and pension benefits, putting annual employee costs at $9.4 billion.
The fact is we confront harsh times. Let me be honest, this situation will get worse before it gets better.
Now government will do what families have done when their incomes have fallen: we will cut spending. Government will learn to do more with less.
It is time for New York and other governments to cut up our credit cards. The era of buy now, pay later and later is over. The faster we address this crisis, the faster and stronger we will emerge from it. That is the path to a better and more prosperous New York.Reactions from leaders:
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Democrat: “The Governor plans to turn this around. He’s set a course toward financial stability. It’s not an easy course. There will be pain and it will take time. It took us years to get here and it will take us years to get back. Delay only increases the degree of difficulty.”
Assemblyman James Tedisco, R-Schenectady: “Now that the Governor has brought this fiscal crisis to the public’s attention, the hard work – and the tough choices – must begin. More than ever, we need this Governor to lead and make the tough choices. If making those choices and standing up to the special interests results in his being a one-term Governor, then he would likely go down in history as the person who righted New York’s ship of state and we would owe him a debt of gratitude.”
E.J McMahon, of New York’s Empire Center,
The state funds portion of the budget has grown about 75 percent in the last 10 years, and by about 45 percent in the last five.
“What we need to do now is undo that (excessive spending), because the $5 billion budget gap that was being projected in May, which the Governor no doubt will announce today is worse, that gap was entirely due, almost entirely due, to projected increases in base-line spending.”More on McMahon
City Comptroller William C. Thompson praised Bloomberg for setting aside surplus resources as a hedge against the deteriorating economy and softening housing market.Actually preparing for a downturn and positioning to ride the storm out is unique for a politician. Local government officials who rely heavily on sales tax revenue, should take note!
Another Drewism or Darrelism, the famous red herring, "The intent of the bill was to stop taxpayer dollars from subsidizing high end housing in places like Long Island," that is strange, a quick check yesterday found there are no residential projects within Empire Zones in Long Island!When they took the majority, House Democrats proclaimed that "bills should generally come to the floor under a procedure that allows open, full and fair debate consisting of a full amendment process that grants the Minority the right to offer its alternatives." Why not on drilling?
Congressman McHugh introduced the HEATR Act in June to assist residents with their home heating costs this winter. The legislation would provide up to a $500 tax credit for individuals and families facing more than $1500 in home heating costs during the winter season, with a maximum of one credit per housing unit. For homeowners and renters with home heating expenses below $1500, the bill would provide one-third of the total cost of heating in a tax credit. Individual tax filers making under $50,000 would be eligible for the credit as well as joint filers making under $100,000. Above those income levels, the credit would phase out at $60,000 and $110,000 respectively. Additionally, the credit can only be used for fuel costs, which include propane, heating oil, kerosene, wood, and wood pellets, among others.The plan returns as much as 1/3 of your heat cost.
Bloomberg, who has often railed against partisan gridlock, said he thinks the two-party system is "healthy," whereas single-party control of government is not. He delivered his usual praise of the Senate GOP for helping the cityThe left wing liberal blog The Albany Project TAP reports Shelly Silver would prefer a GOP controlled Senate, while Silver is smarted enough never to utter his preference, his actions speak louder than words.
So despite spending all these thousands of dollars on the whole gamut of Democratic politicians, committees, and clubs all around the state, Sheldon Silver has not given a single dime to a Democratic Senate Candidate
Shelly simply does not want the Democrats to take the Senate. Ever.
The new governor not only failed to contribute anything to the Senate Democrats, but had actively avoided their fund-raising events in an effort to distance himself from Spitzer's now-infamous "steamroller" approach in dealing with the Legislature.
Their attention would be better directed at shoring up and strengthening fund-raising activities in the conference."
As of July 15, the Senate Democrats had $1.5 million on hand, compared with the Senate Republicans' $5.9 million.
These prominent Democrats will always deny these claims publicly, but their actions speak for themselves and they happen to be right on with their thoughts on this topic.
The sources said the fund will focus on several races around the state, but the main emphasis will be helping Republicans retain a majority in the Senate.
"Everything Rudy does this year is geared toward helping Republicans nationally and statewide, similar to the last three cycles, where he campaigned tirelessly on behalf of many candidates," the source said.
"What would the State Senate look like...we talked about the fact that the leaders would come from New York City...what are some of the issues that you believe would rise to the top of their priority list."His response focused on state aid for education, which would undoubtedly shift toward New York City and anyone who wanted to debate that to the contrary should look no further than Campaign for Fiscal Equality or CFE. Advocates in New York City resent more funding for upstate schools.
"Meanwhile the state Senate Majority used all their chits to drive a boatload of money to politically well-healed downstate suburban districts. Sadly many upstate Senators barely lifted a finger to add additional foundation aid for their own districts.”There is a bit of disappointment in Senator Skelos' answer, time constraints in an interview are difficult, but he did not go far enough in his answer. There is such a difference between the Senate Democratic Minority conference and the Republican conference in governing New York State and there is a real need for a system of check and balance in governing. Pay close attention; read or listen to what the Senate Democrats say such as their leader Malcolm Smith.
Former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno is all set to ride off into the sunset today as he announces his retirement.“Tomorrow marks the end of an era that has been defined by Joe Bruno’s lifetime of public service and commitment to our Capital District. To say that Joe Bruno will be missed, that his energetic advocacy on behalf of our community was appreciated, that his optimistic, courageous and iconic leadership was one of a kind, are all understatements. There will only be one Joe Bruno - what he accomplished, the manner in which he shaped state government and his legacy in the State Senate are truly remarkable. When it counted the most, our Capital District could always count on Joe Bruno. Even when he faced off against a ruthless Chief Executive bent on misusing state government, Joe Bruno stood his ground and never backed down or wavered. All around our region, from the Rensselaer Rail Station, to SPAC, to the millions in funding he secured for countless community-based non-profit organizations, Joe Bruno’s legacy will forever be remembered, appreciated and respected. We all wish Joe nothing but the very best as he embarks on the next chapter in an inspirational life that has yielded true dividends for the people of New York State. I am not alone in saying thank you, Joe Bruno, for your service, friendship and principled leadership.”
TO REQUEST A BILL OUT OF COMMITTEE (FORM NO. 63)It seems Senator Aubertine should be able to clear up this controversy pretty easily by either he or Drew producing a copy of the form 63 that is supposed to be retained by his office.
To request a bill out of Committee, the Member must complete and sign Form No. 63, which may be obtained from Senate Desk Operations (Rm. 323 Mezz., Cap.). Attached to the form should be a copy of the bill and a copy of the sponsor's memo. Since many of the Standing Committees require two sets of this package, it is suggested that three copies of Form No. 63 be obtained for each bill, with one copy being retained on file in the Member's office.
To which Senator Little response is"To claim that they did not know, or that if Senator Little had known, things would be different, is disingenuous," Mr. Mangione said.
"He never filled out the request to have the bill put out," Mrs. Little said again. "Other senators do it. We do it. People talk to you all the time about bills they want to get through."BUT then Mr Mangione brings in an entirely different reasoning.
Mr. Mangione said because the Assembly passed a companion YMCA bill, the Senate version was automatically forwarded to the Senate Rules Committee.
Since the Rules Committee trumps the Local Government Committee, Mr. Mangione said, Mr. Aubertine bypassed the "request out" form to focus his efforts on the more important committee. At the time, Sen. Joseph L. Bruno, R-Brunswick, was the Rules Committee chairman; Sen. Malcolm A. Smith, D-Queens, was its ranking minority member.The question is, why did Mangione even respond to the Senator Little part if it does not even concern Senator Little's committee? And the Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith is the ranking minority member on the committee where the alleged hold up is occurring, why is the issue not being taken up with Senator Smith, instead of Senator Little?
Hey! How much do you need? Are those really big players with really huge pockets good for our political system? The DD answer is a resounding, "No." Whether its lefty George Soros, righty Ross Perot or lately the power seeking Tom Golisano the tossing of large campaign contributions as bait is a perversion of the system envisioned by the framers.
The question for New York now is, can Golisano's money buy a more democratic and responsive state Legislature?
If it was meant to be provocative -- it succeeded. The cover of this week's New Yorker features Baack Obama in Muslim garb, with his gun-toting Afro-ed wife, an American flag burning in the fireplace.
It has already drawn laughs -- while being denounced by the Obama campaign, and by John McCain, and many Obama supporters.
The artists says it was merely meant to make fun of rightwing depictions of Obama and his wife.
John Reich's comment "Dissemination of incomplete or erroneous information can erode public confidence, mislead depositors and investors, and cause unintended consequences, including depositor runs and panic stock trades. Rumors and innuendo cause damage to financial institutions that might not occur otherwise and these concerns drive our strict policy of privacy."
John D. Hawke, the U.S. comptroller of the currency (regulator of national banks) from 1998 to 2004, had more pointed words for Schumer in a story in the American Banker newspaper today.
"If Schumer continues to go public with letters raising questions about the condition of individual institutions, he will cause havoc in the banking system," Hawke said.
"Leaking his IndyMac letter to the press was reckless and grossly irresponsible. I don't see how he can be trusted with confidential information in the future. What this incredibly stupid conduct does is put at risk the willingness of regulators to share any information with the [congressional] oversight committees. After this, you'd be crazy to share information with Schumer."
The director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, John Reich, blamed IndyMac's failure on comments made in late June by Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.), who sent a letter to the regulator raising concerns about the bank's solvency. In the following 11 days, spooked depositors withdrew a total of $1.3 billion. Mr. Reich said Sen. Schumer gave the bank a "heart attack."
"Would the institution have failed without the deposit run?" Mr. Reich asked reporters. "We'll never know the answer to that question."
The failure could be felt across the entire banking industry, as the FDIC will likely have to raise insurance assessments for all banks to build up government reserves. "It takes a big chunk out of the FDIC insurance fund," said Chip MacDonald, a banking lawyer at law firm Jones Day. He said that if the FDIC hikes insurance fees, that will add to already-intense pressure on bank profits.
"I do not make a promise that we can reduce it by 2013 because I think it is important for us to make some critical investments right now in America's families," Obama told reporters this week when asked if he'd match McCain's pledge.
Obama plans to raise $100 billion annually by increasing taxes on Americans making more than $250,000 a year, money that would be used to pay for health care and tax cuts for low- and middle-income earners. He has said ending the Iraq war would generate about $80 billion a year, but he's not using that to pay down the deficit either. Instead, he said that money could help pay for more government programs like health care, education, housing and public safety.
Obama has only been in this election for over a year now and they election is only 4 months away, yet he has not and will not produce a proforma budget until later.
"The problem there is that the Democrats have been very critical of President Bush for spending hundreds of billions of dollars on the war without paying for it and running up the deficit," Bixby said. "But in effect what Obama is saying is, `I'm going to spend the same amount of money. I'm just going to spend it on something else.'"
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Obama's economic policy director, Jason Furman, said the campaign will release a formal budget later in the year that explains his spending in greater detail. Furman added that "while we would like to balance the budget, we cannot say exactly when that will happen given the need to make important investments and the large amount of uncertainty in the economy."
Obama paid no origination fee or discount points, as some consumers do to reduce their interest rates.
