Typical Downstate Agenda: Correctional Officers Take Note

In the special session this week downstate Democratic Senator Martin Connor calls on the Senate to close upstate prisons in order to help balance the budget.

Their agenda is clear, Senator Marty Connor and the majority of Democrats in the Senate who are from New York City, want to balance the budget on the backs of hard working Northern New York folks.

Connor, who is in a heated primary with Dan Squadron, appears to be a marginal member in his own party. Squadron has gained the Working Families Line along with the endorsements of Senator Schumer and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

So where is Darrel Aubertine to defend the prison jobs? Darrel Aubertine should have had no hesitation in a comeback if he was fighting for us in the Senate.

Darrel's web site states:

"Since being elected to the Assembly, Darrel has ensured that we have a voice at the table"

"And, Darrel knows that we need good jobs in our region, for today and for future generations. ...-- saving real jobs, and helping real families. "

Where is that voice? Is Aubertine not concerned about the correctional facilities in Northern New York? At no time during the session did he respond.




More on the Democrat's Senate Agenda.
Watch this video, pay close attention beginning at the 39 second mark where he talks about "new Senate leadership," he is referring to Democratic control of the Senate and then, "bring the money back to New York City and take care of our school funding..."



After you watch these videos, do you think the North Country will be better off with a Democrat controlled State Senate?

Message To Senator Aubertine

You keep preaching about partisan politics getting in the way of your actions while some contend it is your inaction that has resulted in the home rule debacle.

• You speak after session is over, instead of applying pressure leading into or during the session. 
• You issue "prepared statements" instead of holding a press conference and dealing with the issue directly.
• You seldom if ever speak on the Senate floor on behalf of the 48th district issues.
• You claim partisan politics is to blame, yet, you sat in the Assembly majority for 5 years and did NOTHING to promote equal treatment for constituents of majority or minority members. 
  

So here is the deal to get this issue off your back;

1. You have a press conference and discuss the issue of home rule legislation yourself, not Drew or anyone else, yourself!
2. You produce the memos you have written to move this legislation forward.

Deal or No Deal?

Renzi Mailer in SD 48

A new mailer is out in SD 48, and it features a nice family shot of David, Jessica, the children and family dog. Special mention is given to Jessica's blog.

Jessica is an asset to Dave in the campaign for the 48th Senate District, she is intelligent and articulate and able to campaign and represent Dave well in one part of the district while he is campaigning in another part of the district. They have emphasized family values and are demonstrating it while she participates in the campaign.

Morning Musings

Fresh Air Possible For DANC
Robert Juravich has announced his retirement from his $123,279.00 a year executive director's position in the alpha male dominated Development Authority of the North Country (DANC) organization.

A memo to the board: hire fresh new blood for the next executive director, do not hire from within. The organization needs to move away from the ego driven organization it is now to one that is responsive and accountable to the public.

SD 7
Craig Johnson, first term Senator, 7th district and moral caucus partner of Darrel Aubertine, is in some tough sledding for his Senate race. He lost the Independence Party line to his opponent Barbara Donno, he is knocked off the Working Families Party line for invalid signatures and now Golisano bails on him.

SD 48
Darrel Aubertine continues his whine about being politically mistreated and a reporter continues to take the hook, line and sinker. Yet, Aubertine and staff continue to fail to produce those memos as proof that he was on top of the job of passing the 4 home rule bills when the time was appropriate. The Aubertine hypocrisy: 5 YEARS in the Assembly and he did nothing to change partisan politics with regard to treatment of minority members and their constituents in the Assembly.

Meanwhile, David Renzi, instead of complaining, is focused on what good he will do for Northern and Central New York with his economic announcement found on Newzjunky. 

Feel the Pain - Budget Cuts
The North Country with its heavy population of prisons is likely to feel some impact from the Governor's cuts, prisons are one of the priority cuts on the hit list of the Governor.


VEEP Pick Humor

Presidential Homecomings

McCain on Obama



Obama on McCain

McCain Version Of Texting

Obama is announcing his Veep choice via text message and John McCain freely admits his technological shortcomings.

 

Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner

Morning Musings

Tax Increase:
It would be interesting to watch a political campaign based on the premise of taxing and spending more, not quite sure if anyone has been successful with that campaign theme. The Working Families Party, which has endorsed Senator Darrel Aubertine and Addie Jenne Russell, is proposing just that kind of theme. Read here.

The tax increase is opposed by Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg. Critics have said it would drive wealthy New Yorkers from the state and inflict further harm to the economy. Mr. Skelos is supporting a cap on property taxes that would prevent bills from rising by more than 4% each year, which the Senate approved earlier this month.

Is a cut really a cut?
Not when leaders, such as Democrat Sheldon Silver have tucked so much of your money away they can cover any potential pain inflicted by the recent cuts to pork member items. Read Your Pork Is Safe, Silver Tells Pols. This is enough to make your blood boil, Silver has been socking away your hard earned money for years in anticipation of such a down turn as New York State is experiencing now.

 Another Democrat who attended the meeting said Silver told the group the house could manage up to $100 million in pork-barrel cuts.

"He said he budgeted for this eventuality," the lawmaker said.

This type of governing mentality has to go if New York is ever going to turn itself around. Not a single candidate for office should endorse this type of mismanagement. Where do the candidates for the 118th Assembly District stand on an issue like this?

Governor David Paterson is winning big!
He has been on a steady path of cutting spending since he became Governor. He cut Client #9's budget right out of the gate, then ordered a state agency cut of 3.35% and now this round of cuts, which will result in $2 million less in spending over a couple of years. He is headed in the right direction and showing true leadership. Read here

Silver Screws Property Tax Payers
Democrat Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's insistence on raising taxes was the cause of death for the school property tax cap. Read here 

Indeed, so crushing has New York's tax load become - and so hot an issue - that this year a liberal governor from Harlem, David Paterson, and a state Senate usually beholden to labor's pro-tax demands finally agreed to act.

Paterson proposed capping future hikes at either 4 percent or 120 percent of inflation, whichever is lower. The Senate's already on board.

Silver, unfortunately, is on board with the teachers union, which calls the important shots in the Assembly - and which violently rejects the cap.

There are many reasons for the Senate to remain in GOP control, but one main reason is;

A CHECK AND BALANCE TO SHELDON SILVER'S STYLE OF GOVERNING

Millions

Bon Jovi Says "Raise Your Hands" - A Must See

Spokesman Pays Price For Boss

Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith made a very egregious error the other day at a golf outing. He had the audacity to tell lobbyist to buck up for the campaign as if it were an initial stock offering and this was the only way to gain access.

"He said we should get in early because then it doesn't cost as much. The longer you wait to get in, he said, the more it will cost you and if you don't get in at all, then it will be painful after November, after the Democrats win the majority," the lobbyist continued.

Someone is paying the price for his error and it is not him.

Communications Director Curtis Taylor - FIRED!

Smith describes his loose lips as a "bad joke," but must be Smith is guilty of more than a just stupid mistake, if not an illegal one at that, or he would not have fired someone for a "bad joke."