Republican leader Dean Skelos is already plotting his course for 2010 and hoping that the so-called anti-incumbent wave that swept certain areas of New York will help his conference retake the New York State Senate.
There were also Republican successes, albeit slightly less high-profile, in Monroe, Erie and Onondaga counties, Skelos noted, all of which are home to marginal Democrats who have been in the GOP crosshairs in the past.
"If you're Bill Stachowski, Dave Valesky, Darrel Aubertine, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Craig Johnson or Brian Foley, I think you have some cause for concern," Skelos told me yesterday.
"We've had people approaching us and asking to run against Democratic incumbents whereas in the past we've had to go out and seek candidates to run," the senator continued. "Even some candidates who maybe fell a little short, we're going to look at all of them. Some of them ran terrific campaigns and perhaps are ready to go for the Senate."
So if we go by what Skelos is saying, his targets are clear: SD-3, SD-7, SD-35, SD-48, SD-49 and SD-58.
Without challengers, it will be tough to gauge just how vulnerable those six seats are. Keep in mind that Skelos gave us Barbara Donno in SD-7 last year, so it's not as if Skelos has a good record to work with. He was, after all, the leader when the Republicans lost the majority last year.
New State Senator Brian X. Foley's office sent over this piece about the MTA yesterday. It describes how we got to this place with the MTA, especially as it regards the massive amount of outstanding debt it's carrying. Well worth a read.
How we got here
When the new Senate Majority took office in January, we inherited an economic nightmare the likes of which hadn't been seen since the Great Depression. A part of this economic crisis was the fiscal mess the MTA was embroiled in.
The former Senate Majority - led partly by the current Minority Leader Dean Skelos - tripled the MTA debt, going on a borrowing binge for loans that would balloon into a fiscal disaster for our state. The Republican Leadership put the MTA on a path of financial ruin by sending its outstanding debt and debt service fees out of control.
In 1996 the, the total outstanding debt held by the MTA was $8.6 billion. By 2008 MTA's debt had risen to $24 billion, triggering debt service in the amount of $1.5 billion per year. To put it in perspective, in addition to all its obligations, the MTA was paying $125 million each month for debt service alone.
This failed policy didn't simply place the MTA's financial standing in a perilous position, it took away the authority's ability to borrow capital down the road and fix its financial books.
The Republican leadership used the Metro Card as a credit card and did everything in their power to bankrupt this critically important component of our economy.
By the time Democratic Majority took over the Senate in 2009, we had a transportation authority on life support and hemorrhaging.
Moving forward
The Senate Majority has put forth a plan that reduces a proposed increase in fares and payroll taxes. The proposed fare increase is reduced by 50% (from an 8% increase to a 4%) and the payroll tax increase is reduced by 25% (from 33 cents per $100 in payroll to 25 cents per $100 in payroll).
In addition, the plan mandates the MTA to open its books and take part in a thorough forensic audit. It will also requires the state to make a substantial commitment to Long Island's highways and bridges; infrastructure in need of immediate attention.
The Senate Majority's plan is a starting point in negotiations with the Governor and the Assembly that will lead to continued operations from the MTA and make the transportation authority more transparent and efficient.
We've already seen a substantial decrease in the amount of payroll tax proposed. This indicates that our negotiations are leading us toward the right direction.
Part of why it's so important that we move in the right direction on our MTA policy is the impact its payroll tax provision could have on our schools. As negotiations on the current proposal continue, we want to safeguard our schools, just like we did when we prevented devastating mid-year cuts and brought in more than $150 million in education aid as part of the stimulus money that averted serious education cuts to Long Island schools.
While they have no problem criticizing and being the party of "No," the Republican minority has not offered up a plan of their own, despite the fact that they were the architects of this crisis!
A real solution to this problem requires taking part in constructive dialogue that moves us forward towards a solvent MTA that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of Long Island's men and women who rely on the MTA to earn a living.
Brian Foley is going to be the next senator in the 3rd Senate District. Sen. Caesar Trunzo's time as a state senator is over. It is time for retirement.
To make sure that happens tomorrow, Foley received some help over the weekend from two of the most powerful Democrats in New York.
The Foley for Senate campaign continues its momentum towards victory, following an electrifying weekend that included two Get Out the Vote Rallies featuring Governor David Paterson and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Over 600 people attended the events. The campaign is surging in the final days as voters throw their support behind Brian X. Foley, who is seeking to retire 36-year incumbent Senator Caesar Trunzo.
On Sunday, Governor Paterson endorsed Foley for Senate during a Rally for Change event in Brentwood. Paterson pointed to Foley's record of fiscal responsibility and urged voters to support Foley to bring the change Albany needs in these weary times.
Saturday's rally was headlined by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo who called on voters to elect Foley to the Senate. "I'm supporting Brian Foley because he will bring the same integrity and common-sense approach to Albany that he has used to turn around Brookhaven," said Cuomo.
Following both rallies, volunteers took part in a "Caravan for Change" that went through the 3rd Senate District, stopping at 10 busy locations where Foley and volunteers talked to hundreds of voters and reminded them to vote on Tuesday.
"Voters want change," said Foley, whose campaign is riding a strong wave of momentum into Election Day. "Our message of fighting for family interests not special interests is connecting with voters. We're going to work tirelessly until 9pm on election night to bring the change to Albany that working families in Suffolk need."
Foley is a likely pickup for us tomorrow, but rallies and GOTV efforts like these will keep people energized and perhaps get undecided voters energized to vote for change.
The new Siena Polls are hot off the presses an things look pretty good for Dems across the state. In fact, if these numbers are correct and the election wre held today, the GOP would lose it's Senate majority.
The biggest numbers to pop out is the lead Brian Foley has over Caesar Trunzo (R-FL) and the huge comeback by incumbent Dem Bill Stachowski. Foley leads Trunzo by a whopping 22 points and Stachowski has turned a 13 point deficit into a 4 point lead.
A rundown:
3rd SD - Suffolk County - Caesar Trunzo (R, incumbent) vs. Brian Foley (D)
Foley has a 56-34 percent lead over Trunzo. Trunzo led 46-40 percent in the previous Siena New York Poll. While Foley has picked up a little more support among Democrats, he has cut Trunzo's lead among Republican voters to 53-39 percent, down dramatically from 71-16 percent. Additionally, Foley has opened up a 63-27 percent lead among independent voters, up from 43-40 percent previously.
Foley has expanded a two-point lead in Brookhaven to a 12-point lead, and reversed 12-point deficit in Islip and turned it into 30-point lead. Where Trunzo had a nine-point lead among voters 55-years of age and older, Foley now leads with those voters 52-40 percent. Foley leads by 13 points with men and 30 points with women. The only demographic group in which Trunzo leads is among Republicans.
If Foley leads by even 10 points in Trunzo's Islip backyard, this thing is over. The poll shows a 30 point lead. And before the GOoPs start screaming about the poll sample, look at the Obama/McCain numbers. They are essentially dead even. It's not like they are only polling Dems.
6th SD - Nassau County - Kemp Hannon (R, incumbent) vs. Kristen McElroy (D)
Hannon has a commanding 56-30 percent lead, in a district that is virtually evenly enrolled between Republicans and Democrats. Hannon has the support of 80 percent of Republicans and picks up the support of nearly one-third of Democrats. McElroy only wins among Democrats 55-32 percent, while only attracting support from 10 percent of Republicans. Hannon leads among independent voters 56-21 percent.
McElroy leads among young voters and those in the Council District 1 section of the Hempstead portion of the Senate district. However, Hannon has much bigger leads in the remainder of the district and has better than 60 percent among voters who are at least 35-years old.
Ouch. Got some work to do here.
15th SD - Queens County - Serph Maltese (R, incumbent) vs. Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D)
Addabbo currently has a slim 45-43 percent lead over Maltese. In the September Siena poll, the two were tied at 42 percent, in this district that has an overwhelmingly Democratic enrollment edge. Maltese has the support of more than three-quarters of Republicans and one-quarter of Democrats. Addabbo leads 61-27 percent among Democrats and picks up the support of 20 percent of Republicans. Maltese leads among independent voters 51-31 percent. Maltese leads by four points with men, while Addabbo has a seven-point lead with women. Addabbo leads in the southern part of the district and Maltese leads in the north.
Maltese is viewed favorably by 45 percent of voters and unfavorably by 33 percent of voters, down from a 48-16 percent favorable rating previously. Addabbo's favorable rating is 42-30 percent, and was previously 38-20 percent.
Obama leads McCain in this district 57-32 percent, up from 49-31 percent.
48th SD - Oswego/Jefferson/St. Lawrence - Darrel Aubertine (D, incumbent) vs. David Renzi (R)
Aubertine, who had a 51-31 percent lead over Renzi in the last poll, has seen that lead drop to 49-38 percent. Aubertine has the support of nearly three-quarters of Democrats and more than one-third of Republicans in this district with a heavy Republican enrollment edge. Renzi leads 57-35 percent with Republicans, up from 41-37 percent previously, and only gets 13 percent of Democrats. Aubertine is winning among independent voters 49-34 percent, up from 41-37 percent previously. While Renzi has erased a 20-point Aubertine lead in Oswego County, and now leads there 44-37 percent, Aubertine has widened his leads in Jefferson (25 points, up from 16) and St. Lawrence (30 points, up from 27) Counties.
Aubertine is viewed favorably by 54 percent of voters and unfavorably by 31 percent of voters, down from 58-21 percent previously. Renzi has a 40-35 percent favorability rating; previously it was 34-15 percent.
Aubertine is going to fine.
58th SD - Erie County - William Stachowski (D, incumbent) vs. Dennis Delano (R)
Stachowski now has a 47-43 percent lead over Delano, after trailing 49-36 percent in the previous Siena poll in this district where Democrats have a better than two-to-one enrollment edge. Stachowski has increased his lead among Democrats to 62-30 percent (up from 51-34 percent). Delano maintains a 63-25 percent lead among Republicans (virtually unchanged from 64-23 percent) and has seen his lead among independent voters fall to 54-36 percent, down from 67-19 percent.
Whereas Delano led in all three sections of the district previously, Stachowski now leads 47-37 percent in Buffalo/Lackawanna, 48-45 percent in Cheektowaga, and 47-44 percent in the southern suburbs. Stachowski has a 12-point lead with men, while Delano has a two-point lead with women. Delano has a significant lead with Protestants. Stachowski leads with Catholics, and has a big lead among younger voters.
Stachowski has a 50-31 percent favorable rating. It had been 39-14 percent. Delano's favorable rating, 53-33 percent, is down from 63-15 percent. Delano continues to have a positive favorable rating with voters of every party, while Stachowski has increased his favorability among Democrats but lost ground with independent voters and saw his favorability among Republicans drop from 35-12 percent to 29-50 percent.
More than half of voters would like to see the Senate controlled by Democrats, and Obama has opened 55-37 percent lead over McCain, up from 45-41 percent previously.
"Senator Stachowski has turned this race around. In four weeks he has erased a 13-point deficit and turned it into a tight four-point lead. Where Delano previously had a much better favorable rating with voters, the two are now viewed by voters in virtually the same light. We will have to wait until Election Day to see if Stachowski continues his momentum to win re-election, or if Delano can turn this race back around again and defeat a 27-year incumbent in this overwhelmingly Democratic district," Greenberg said.
Stach is back. That's what a comeback looks like. I guess the more folks learn about Delano, the less they like what they see. Also, this one of those races that an Obama wave could seriously affect. If that wave reaches Buffalo, Stachowski could end up blowing Delano right out of the water.
61st SD - Erie and Genesee Counties - Michael Ranzenhofer (R) vs. Joseph Mesi (D)
Ranzenhofer has a 47-42 percent lead over Mesi, who had a slimmer 40-38 percent lead in the previous Siena poll, in this district where Republicans have a very small enrollment edge over Democrats. Ranzenhofer leads among Republicans 69-25 percent, up from 59-21 percent. Mesi leads among Democrats 62-29 percent, closer than the previous 63-19 percent. Mesi leads among independent voters 42-37 percent, although Ranzenhofer closed the gap from 43-28 percent. Mesi leads in Tonawanda by seven points (down from 10). Ranzenhofer leads in the Clarence/Newstead/Genesee County portions of the district by 15 points (up from two points), and in Amherst by three points (up a tick from two points).
Ranzenhofer has a 47-26 percent favorable rating, compared to 35-12 percent previously. Mesi's favorable rating is 46-37 percent, compared to 45-18 percent in the previous Siena poll.
While the race has shifted seven points from Mesi to Ranzenhofer, a reverse trend occurred on the question of who voters support to control the Senate. Previously, voters supported Republican control by a 44-38 percent margin, while now a slim plurality, 43-41 percent, support Democratic control. The presidential race also flipped, with McCain's 45-40 percent lead now becoming a 51-42 percent lead for Obama.
"This district is close in enrollment between Republicans and Democrats. The voters are close in their view on which party should control the Senate. The voters have switched their support from McCain to Obama over the last few weeks. And a small Mesi lead has turned into a slightly wider Ranzenhofer lead. Which party's voters turn out in larger numbers on Tuesday may well determine the outcome of this race. Either way, it figures to be a late night as the votes get counted in this race," Greenberg said.
This one may very well come down to Obama's GOTV operation as well. If his voters show in force, I think Mesi wins this thing. Mesi likes to remind folks that he is undefeated. If the Obama wave does indeed materialize in the manner that it appears to be, he'll be able to call himself undefeated still. Give him a hand.
The fact that Caesar Trunzo (R-FL) hasn't spoken a word into the record of the New York State Senate in over two years has become, rightly, an issue in the tight race in SD-3. When Azi asked GOP spokesman Joe Conway about this, his answer didn't make a whole lot of sense:
When asked for comment, Joe Conway, director of communications for the New York State Senate Republican Campaign Committee, didn't dispute the idea that Trunzo hasn't spoken on the floor of the State Senate for two years. But he attacked Foley for attacking.
In an email, he said, "When Brian Foley isn't raising taxes on his constituents, he engages in desperate negative attacks like this. In contrast, Caesar Trunzo has been hard at work cutting taxes, creating jobs, and ensuring quality schools and health care for his constituents."
OK, so he has been a non entity on the floor of the Senate. He hasn't even spoken in over two freaking years, but he's "hard at work" doing a bunch of things that actually haven't come to pass. Taxes have not been cut, at least not the taxes that most concern the residents of the 3rd SD, namely property taxes. Those have gone up. Considerably. There's not a lot of job creation out in Suffolk County at the moment either. Trunzo's record on health care is an abomination and he's one of the top recipients of HMO money in the state.
And besides, does Trunzo work so hard in some sort of other "secret" Senate? If he's not speaking for years at a time in the job we pay him quite well to perform, where exactly is he doing all of this hard work?
How can a man who hasn't uttered an official word in years be said to be "hard at work" doing anything? That's a serious question.
The folks of the 3rd SD desperately need an advocate, someone who really is "hard at work" fighting on their behalf, and they need that advocate now more than ever. Caesar Trunzo is long past being able to do that effectively.
If you believe in supporting working families and making sure that your family and others that you know remain healthy, Sen. Caesar Trunzo is not who you should vote for on Tuesday.
Brian Foley's campaign makes a compelling argument as to why that should be the case. While Trunzo is being funded by insurance companies, his Senate record shows that he has not voted in the best interests of those who want more and better health care.
While he has raked in big bucks from his friends in the health insurance field, Trunzo's failed leadership is resulting in millions of people lacking adequate health coverage. Trunzo, who is running on the slogan, "don't fix what's not broken", has a record that's resulted in our healthcare system being broken. Whenever there are legislative battles pitting insurance companies against every-day consumers struggling to pay their healthcare premiums, Trunzo's is a vote the insurance companies can and do count on.
Senator Trunzo voted against women and in favor of HMO's when he voted "No" on the Women's Health and Wellness Bill. The legislation sought to make insurance companies cover mammograms for women over 40.
Despite the fact that Long Islanders face the highest rate of breast cancer in the United States, Senator Trunzo chose to side with insurance companies over prevention, the best defense against breast cancer. In addition to mammograms, the bill would have forced HMO's to cover cervical cancer screenings.
Senator Trunzo and his colleagues killed major legislation that would have held HMO's legally liable for the consequences of their decisions. Under the bill, patients who suffer pain, injuries, and even death because of the denial of care or delays in approving care would have the right to place the blame on the insurer, just as a patient would sue a physician for medical malpractice. Thanks to Trunzo's inaction, the bill died on the Senate Calendar.
"Senator Trunzo takes $66,000 from the healthcare industry; then protects the industry from having to care for sick New Yorkers," said Ibrahim Khan, Communications Director for the Foley for Senate campaign. "I think voters can connect the dots. Trunzo's failed policies of the past demonstrate that he's either unwilling or unable to stand up for us when it matters most."
Trunzo's voting pattern demonstrates his commitment to making sure his buddies in Big Business are always taken care of, even if it means his constituents can't go to the doctor's when they're sick. In a shocking vote, Trunzo voted against making Walmart and other large employers provide healthcare benefits to their employees. This, despite that fact that most of these corporations have multi-million dollar budgets and all of them employ at least 50 people.
Trunzo seems to be your typical Republican. He's in bed with the insurance companies and votes against measures that would improve health care instead of trying to diminish it.
The folks in SD-3 have a clear choice on Tuesday: Vote for Trunzo, the status quo, or vote for Brian Foley, someone who will bring real change and real leadership to the district and to Albany.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo endorsed Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley today. From the campaign release:
Farmingville, NY - Attorney General Andrew Cuomo today endorsed Brian X. Foley for State Senate in his race against 36-year incumbent Caesar Trunzo. Cuomo's endorsement comes on the heels of other positive developments in Foley's campaign including endorsements from Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Hillary Clinton and Governor David Paterson.
"I'm supporting Brian X. Foley for Senate because he will be a senator who puts working families' interests over special interests," said Attorney General Cuomo. "In these uncertain times, we need Brian's integrity and common-sense approach to government in Albany. He turned around Brookhaven, and I look forward to working with him to turn around our great State."
Thanks to endorsements like Cuomo's and wide-ranging support from voters, the Foley for Senate campaign is picking up crucial momentum heading into Election Day. Voters are concerned with Caesar Trunzo's record of supporting special interests over the needs of Suffolk families. Trunzo has voted against making insurance companies cover mammograms and cervical cancer screenings, despite Long Island having the highest rate of breast cancer in the country. He has crowned himself the King of Pork Barrel spending, bragging about using his pork barrel slush fund to secure support from voters, even as New York faces record budget deficits and the country confronts an economic crisis.
"We need a fighter who will stand up to special interests' influence," said Foley. "I am running for Senate so we can change the broken system in Albany and make our government work for working families right here in Suffolk County."
Yesterday, Foley also picked up the endorsement of Islip Supervisor, Phil Nolan. This i significant because Foley's power base is in Brookhaven while Trunzo's is very much centered in Islip. Such visible support from the other of the district's twin cities is a very good sign.
UPDATE: Andrew Cuomo is going to headline a "Rally for Change" for Brian Foley on Saturday:
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to Headline Rally for Change with Brian X. Foley
Date: Saturday November 1, 2008
Time:
10:30 am
Location:
95 East Main St.
Patchogue, NY 11772
Who:
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
Supervisor Brian X. Foley
Congressman Tim Bishop
Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo will join State Senate Candidate Brian X. Foley, Congressman Tim Bishop, Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington and hundreds of local voters at a Rally for Change on Main St. Patchogue.
A trio of Democrats get the NYS Senate endorsement of the NY Times, with a metaphor for one of the incumbents (Trunzo) that neatly compares him to the comatose statue commememorating pork that he truly has been.
. Mr. Foley has managed to restore the town's good name after decades of rotten Republican rule. The incumbent, Caesar Trunzo, was elected in the Nixon era. His core argument for re-election has boiled down to his pride in being a major conduit for pork. Long ago, he became a living monument to the inertia in Albany. We endorse Brian Foley.
[Padavan's] views on women's reproductive rights and immigration are backward, even dangerous. James Gennaro, a member of City Council, offers a passionate contrast, not only on those issues but on the environment. He has been fighting to protect New York City's reservoirs. We endorse James Gennaro.
Mr. Addabbo, a member of City Council, has said that if Democrats take over, they will not force the same Draconian rules on Republicans that now exist to punish Democrats. That is a good start. We endorse Mr. Addabbo.
That, plus a call for real campaign finance reform and an independent redistricting commission... well, its an endorsement editorial to warm my goo-goo heart. Check it out.
That Caesar Trunzo and the Senate GOP has been pretty good to the Wizards of Wall St should go without saying. What really should be more of an issue this year is just how good those same folks have been to their champions in the New York State Senate. The Brian Foley campaign seems to get that.
Caesar Trunzo (Hearts) Wall St Trunzo and Senate Republicans give Wall Street Billions, Take in $1 million in campaign cash
Senate Republicans in Albany have worked overtime since 2000 to help Wall Street banks, brokerage firms, and other financial institutions secure billions in special tax breaks and to weaken state oversight and regulation of banks.
And in return, Wall Street interests have made over a million dollars in campaign contributions to the central Senate Republican Campaign Committees. To date, Senate Republicans have spent $921,651 of that money on 36-year incumbent Caesar Trunzo's reelection campaign.
"Caesar Trunzo and the Senate Republicans have been working for Wall Street, and they've been paid handsomely," said Foley, who's locked in a statistical dead heat with Trunzo. "It's the same old Albany story - Wall Street got the special deals, and Trunzo and the Senate Republicans got the money."
...
A review of 26 key votes in the State Senate reveals that:
* Senate Republicans passed special-interest tax cuts and subsidies for Wall Street banks, securities firms, and insurance companies that added up to more than $3.4 billion over the last decade. Caesar Trunzo voted "Yes" on each of these giveaways. (7 key votes)
* On top of that, Senate Republicans passed laws to give big Wall Street banks and finance companies over two-and-a-half billion dollars in special every-year property tax cuts. Caesar Trunzo voted "Yes" on each measure. (6 key votes)
* And Senate Republicans voted thirteen separate times to protect their friends on Wall Street from the strong regulation that could have prevented the crisis we're in. Caesar Trunzo voted "Yes" on each measure. (13 key votes)
In return, Senate Republicans received $1,082,499.00 in campaign contributions from Wall Street banks and big financial companies since 2000. $921,651of that money trickled down to Trunzo's campaign through the Republican Senate Campaign Committee.
"Caesar Trunzo gave Wall Street banks a two-and-a-half billion dollar property tax cut when families right here in Suffolk County got massive property tax increases," said Foley. Trunzo and the Senate Republicans gave over three billion dollars in state subsidies to Wall Street while regular families saw health care, energy, and food prices go up and up."
While Trunzo was saying "Yes!" to every handout request and favor asked by his Wall Street pals, he was voting "No" on protecting the health of Suffolk families. Trunzo voted "No" on making insurance companies cover mammograms for Women, despite the fact that Long Island has the highest rate of breast cancer in the country. Trunzo even voted to allow chemical companies to conceal cancer causing sprays on our lawns and parks.
It's a compelling case to be made against Trunzo, but it's also a case that can be made against pretty much the entire GOP caucus in the Senate.
Newsday announced its state senate endorsements today. With the exception of Sen. Craig Johnson, they backed every Republican on Long Island. Yes, they even backed Sen. Caesar Trunzo.
This is how Newsday justified their endorsement of Trunzo:
This is the one everyone has been watching. It pits state Sen. Caesar Trunzo (R-Brentwood), a Senate veteran, against an accomplished Democratic challenger, Brookhaven Supervisor Brian X. Foley of Blue Point. Surprisingly, it's not an easy choice.
It's clear that Foley, 50, stuck in a cobra-and-mongoose struggle with a GOP majority on his town board, wants this seat badly. In fact, he says he's been preparing for this run for 15 years. And it's equally clear that, even though his administration made positive changes in the town in the two years before Republicans narrowly won back control of the town board, Foley is more suited to a legislative role than an executive one.
Trunzo, 82, has kept being re-elected because he delivers for his district. But his nearly four decades in Albany have given him a jaded perspective on what it's possible to accomplish there. More than once during a joint appearance by Trunzo and Foley before this board, Trunzo responded to an idea of Foley's by referring to it as a dream. Ouch!
So the choice is between an incumbent who sees getting things done in Albany as a lost cause - the sad thing is, too often he's probably right - and a challenger with a lot of ideas - some of them insufficiently detailed - but an inflated estimate of what a single senator can do.
In the end, it comes down to this: On balance, we think a GOP-controlled Senate will probably be better able to protect Long Island interests in this current fiscal crisis. So we endorse Trunzo.
What an ill-conceived rationale for supporting a man who has delivered nothing but member items to the 3rd Senate District. I don't blame Newsday for thinking that way. We have used member items as the measure of how one "delivers" for their respective district. It's an insane way of judging one's job performance, but that is how our 62 state senators will be judged until the system (and mindset) changes.
But the argument that a GOP senate would better protect Long Island's interests tells me that Newsday believes in maintaining the status quo. The Democrat and Chronicle only endorsed two candidates - both Democrats - and said that they refused to endorse anyone else because the incumbents failed to reform Albany and the challengers didn't prove they would be much better. That, to me, was a remarkable endorsement announcement and showed some guts. Newsday showed today that they didn't put too much thought into these endorsements. They just approved the incumbents for re-election and moved on.
Sen. Chuck Schumer has been more than willing to help out New York State Senate Democratic candidates in their pursuit to take over the New York State Senate. Today he stood with Brian Foley and endorsed Foley in his run against Sen. Caesar "Rip Van Winkle" Trunzo.
Senator Chuck Schumer endorsed Brian X. Foley for State Senate citing Foley's commitment to putting working families' interests over special interests. Schumer joined Foley at a Campaign for Change event in Mastic Beach, in front of over 120 voters.
'I am supporting Brian X. Foley for Senate because he will bring the same integrity and common-sense approach to Albany that he used to turnaround Brookhaven" said Schumer. "Brian will put working families' interests over special interests and make government work for the middle-class again."
Foley thanked Schumer for the endorsement saying, "I am honored to have the endorsement of Senator Chuck Schumer. Working together, we will fight for Suffolk County families and fix the broken system in Albany."
Foley pointed out the need to focus on skyrocketing healthcare costs for Suffolk families. He discussed a new report by an independent group - Families USA - which revealed that healthcare premiums jumped 80.7% over the past seven years and median wages just couldn't keep up, rising merely 11% between 2000-2007. Premiums rose at an alarming rate of seven times faster than the average family income.
Foley is the real deal. It's great to see Schumer endorsed him.
Here's some more video of the debate between Caesar Trunzo (R-FL) and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brain Foley. In this clip, Caesar begins by threatening his own constituents, an interesting tactic to say the least. Next, he asserts that all th folks he doles out your money to ar firmly behind him. He then unwittingly admits that member items are simply money that he can "give away" before immediately backtracking and saying that it's really about "helping communities." And then...he just pretty much falls apart. It's petty obvious that he loses his train of thought and doesn't quite know what the hell he's talking about anymore. The clip ends with this gem, delivered in a somewhat confused voice:
I've been doing my job. I enjoy my job. And people really...have...never criticized me for it. They've always been thankful for what I have done. I hear it everyday no matter when...no matter what day it might be.
The New York League of Conservation Voters is about to go up with a new ad in SD-3 that hits Ceasar Trunzo (R-FL) pretty hard on energy security, something the man has done absolutely nothing on since he arrived in Albany back during the Nixon years.
This one is quite a doozy. Here, Caesar Trunzo attempts to share his thoughts on immigration, but what comes out doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I especially love the part where Trunzo speaks about those who "speak hispanic" or about how he has helped many immigrants "become senators."
I've got tons of video from the debate I never thought would happen, the debate between Caesar Trunzo (R-FL) and Brian Foley. In this clip, Caesar claims to have invented the rather controversial Intermodal project and then furiously and clumsily tries to backtrack.
UPDATE: From the Foley campaign:
"I was for it before I was against it"
Trunzo Starts up Intermodal, then Opposes it
"With Election Day around the corner, 36-year incumbent senator Caesar Trunzo is coming out swinging against a proposed intermodal facility that could potentially damage our environment and have a disastrous impact on traffic congestion.
Only one problem: Caesar Trunzo is the one who founded this ill-advised plan.
But don't take our word for it. Here's what Trunzo, himself, had to say about the intermodal facility in a News12 debate that aired on October 21, 2008.
"I created the intermodal. As Chairman of the (Senate) Transportation Committee, I started the whole process....members of the industry had indicated they would like to see rails, instead of trucks."
Of course, now that he's facing a tough reelection and hanging on to his seat for dear life, Trunzo is flip-flopping on this very important local issue, claiming he is now against the project.
Given the rather nasty little civil war amongst the local GOP in the 3rd, this development can't be sitting well with the pro-Caesar crowd. From an emailed release:
Republicans See their Future with Foley
"Republicans for Foley" campaign to take back Albany from special interests
Farmingville, NY - More and more Republicans are supporting Brian X. Foley in his effort to unseat 36-year incumbent senator Caesar Trunzo. The Foley for Senate campaign announced the formation of "Republicans for Foley," a group of voters and grass-roots activists who will work to elect Brian X. Foley.
Like the rest of the electorate, Foley's message of putting working families' interests over special interests is resonating with registered Republicans. Voters see Foley as a fiscal conservative who has a record of cutting taxes and strengthening our middle-class.
"As a lifelong Republican, I am proud to support Brian X. Foley for Senate because I know he will stand up for me and my family," said Ken Chebat, of Patchogue.
When it comes to fighting for working families, there is a clear contrast between Brian X. Foley and Caesar Trunzo. While Foley has stood up for the middle-class, Trunzo has supported increasing tax breaks for Wall Street banks.
Trunzo has crowned himself the king of pork-barrel spending and even boasts about using his member-item slush fund as a way to buy votes. On the Senate floor, Trunzo voted against expanding mammography services and cervical cancer screenings for women, despite Long Island having the highest rate of breast cancer in the country.
As Foley cut taxes on residents in Brookhaven, Trunzo went on a tax binge in the State Senate, voting for 611 separate increases in taxes and fees on working families. In total, Trunzo is responsible for $33.4 billion in tax and fee increases. He's voted on increasing taxes on everything from bike helmets to baby diapers to smoke detectors.
"I'm supporting Brian X. Foley because we need someone in the Senate to work for ordinary people, not special interests," said Jack Geoghan, a Republican voter from Davis Park. "Foley has a record of fighting for the middle-class. We need his strong leadership and smart economic policies in Albany."
Foley, a lifelong resident of Brookhaven, has spent the past 15 years working on behalf of those in his community both as a member of the Suffolk County Legislature and in his current position as Brookhaven Supervisor. He will bring to Albany a proven record of fighting for working families and taking on and defeating special interests.
"We are thrilled with the depth of support Brian X. Foley enjoys from a broad base of voters, including Republicans," said Ibrahim Khan, Communications Director for Foley for Senate. "Supervisor Foley has a record of fiscal responsibility and cutting taxes, a sharp contrast from Senator Trunzo's failed economic policies that have brought us the worst crisis since the Great Depression."
Republicans for Foley will actively campaign in the 3rd Senate District to persuade Republicans, Democrats and independents to support Foley. Their efforts will be particularly helpful with GOP supporters since one out of four Republicans already oppose Trunzo's reelection, according to a recent Siena poll. Instead, voters want Brian X. Foley to bring the same integrity and common-sense approach to politics that he used to turnaround Brookhaven.
New York Senator Calls Foley "a champion of working families and the change we need"
West Sayville, NY - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton endorsed Brian X. Foley today for State Senate in his race against 36-year incumbent Caesar Trunzo. The endorsement by Clinton, a longtime fighter for working families and a star of the Democratic Party, is a major boost to Foley's campaign and adds to his ever growing support and momentum. Senator Clinton has inspired millions of voters across the nation with the strength of her vision for change, and her advocacy on behalf of middle-class families struggling from years of failed economic policies.
"We need Brian X. Foley in Albany fighting for all of us. He is a champion of working families and represents the change we need," stated Senator Clinton. "We need his record of innovative solutions and proven leadership. This year, it's important that we send new Democratic leaders to the State House. I am confident that Brian will be such a leader."
In just two years as the Brookhaven Town Supervisor, Brian X. Foley cut a $15 million deficit, got the town its highest bond rating ever, and saved taxpayers $10 million through innovative economic policies. Because of his hard work, Brookhaven now has the lowest town tax rate in Suffolk County and is the only Town in Long Island to hold the line on taxes this year.
"Foley knows how to roll up his sleeves and start making government work for people again. He turned around a notoriously corrupt town government, putting it in its best fiscal position in decades and restoring voters' faith in Brookhaven Town Hall. The New York State Senate urgently needs Brian's voice of reason and fiscal responsibility. I enthusiastically endorse Brian X. Foley," added Senator Clinton.
Foley thanked Sen. Clinton. "I am deeply honored to receive Senator Clinton's endorsement. I believe that together, we can bring change to Albany - change that will make a real difference in the lives of working families."
West Sayville, NY - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton endorsed Brian X. Foley today for State Senate in his race against 36-year incumbent Caesar Trunzo. The endorsement by Clinton, a longtime fighter for working families and a star of the Democratic Party, is a major boost to Foley's campaign and adds to his ever growing support and momentum. Senator Clinton has inspired millions of voters across the nation with the strength of her vision for change, and her advocacy on behalf of middle-class families struggling from years of failed economic policies.
