Republican State Senators HOLD UP Opening of PARKS ... STATE WIDE

The 30-member Senate Republican conference is poised to vote en masse against the bill that would keep state parks open and also has issues with a measure that would boost the charter cap from 200 to 460, GOP sources confirm.

The Republicans are still discussing their strategy behind closed doors, but one legislative source said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if they all emerge to vote “no” on the parks bill – at the very least – due to concerns about increased taxes and fees.

Senate Democratic spokesman Austin Shafran rejected the GOP claim that the parks/e-waste recycling bill includes new taxes, noting the proposed increases in civil and criminal fines for environmental conservation law violations are for crimes that already exist (estimated revenue generation: $1 million), and the same goes for the restructuring of fees for hazardous waste generation (estimated revenue generation: $2 million).

Full Story

Siena Poll: Nearly Three-Quarters of New Yorkers Reject Republican Control of Senate

Buried in the cross tabs of this morning's poll from Siena College is yet more evidence that 2010 could be a bad year for Republican incumbents.

When asked if the election for State Senate were held today would you vote to re-elect your incumbent Senator or would you prefer someone else?, 49% of respondents expressed a desire to throw out their incumbent Senator - the highest number ever in a Sienna poll.

Among upstate voters - the Republican base - 53% want to see someone new represent them.

When asked would you prefer to see the Democrats win a larger majority, would you prefer to see the Republicans win control of the Senate, or would you prefer to see the Senate continue to be closely divided between Republicans and Democrats? a plurality of respondents - 36% - wanted to expand the Democratic Majority in 2010.

Most significantly, almost three quarters of respondents outright rejected Republican control of the Senate

For those paying close attention, you'll recognize this as yet another in a string of polls, studies and retirements, the sum total of which all point to one conclusion: Across the political spectrum, New Yorkers keenly remember what 44 years of Republican rule did for the state, and they're not ready to return to power the same party whose tax-and-spend (and borrow) approach drove our state to fiscal crisis.

For those who need a refresher course:

• A study of voter enrollment data conducted by NYPIRG in April revealed that Democrats saw enrollment gains in 51 of 62 Senate Districts, and that Democrats held an outright registration advantage in 45 districts.
• A poll by Quinnipiac in May showed results similar to those revealed by Siena today. Quinnipiac found anti-incumbent sentiment at its highest point in the poll's history, with Republican base voters showing the highest levels of dissatisfaction.
• Republicans suffered three high-profile retirements in recent months: Leibell, Volker, and Morahan.
• Former Republican Majority Leader Joe Bruno was convicted on two felony corruption counts.
• And the shallowness of the Republican political bench was revealed very publicly in a New York Times story in which potential GOP Senate candidates revealed that they declined to run due to a lack of confidence in the Republican leadership.

Middle-class families and our small businesses can’t afford to do business the way Republicans have done business. That is why they continue to reject GOP and are ready to grow the Democratic Majority in 2010.

From NYS DEMS

Ex-police chief gives ticket upstate presence, integrity

Andrew M. Cuomo has looked westward for his running mate on the Democratic gubernatorial ticket, tapping the mayor of the state's third-largest city — a non-career politician who just happens to be good at politics.

Robert J. Duffy, mayor of Rochester since 2006 and the city's former police chief, was selected by Cuomo as the candidate for lieutenant governor and approved Wednesday at the Democratic State Convention in Rye Brook. He brings to the Cuomo effort a badly needed upstate presence, as well as a reputation as a tough-as-nails cop and urban innovator.

Full Story

Oswego County Democratic Committee makes Endorsements

Oswego Democratic Committee endorsed Brian S. McGrath on Thursday for the 122nd Assembly. Publicly, the Lowville attorney is still considering his candidacy. But committee Chairman Michael K. Kunzwiler said he’s talked to Mr. McGrath and is sure he’s running.

“He’s very impressive,” the chairman said of the would-be candidate. “He’s very articulate and seems to get along with everyone great.”

The committee also endorsed County judge, David Roman; county clerk, Sue Sweet; state Sen. Darrel Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, for the 48th Senate District, Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, for the 23rd Congressional District, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice for state attorney general, Thomas P. DiNapoli for state comptroller and U.S. Sens. Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand for New York’s two Senate seats.

Senate Honors Muriel Allerton as 2010 Woman of Distinction

Sen. Aubertine: Former Fulton Mayor’s five decades of service make her stand out for state honor

ALBANY (May 25, 2010)—State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today welcomed former Fulton Mayor Muriel Allerton to the state capital, where she was honored as a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction for years of exemplary service to her community.

“Muriel came to Central New York close to 50 years ago and over that time has certainly made her presence known,” said Sen. Aubertine. “She truly is a woman of distinction and a pioneer in this community as the first woman mayor of Fulton. She stands out in the ways she has given of herself to so many in the Fulton area as a volunteer, as an advocate, and as a friend.”

“Anyone who knows Muriel, knows well how deep her compassion, loyalty and commitment run,” the Senator added. “She is the type of person who makes friends for life shopping at the corner store and can convey a wealth of experience in the advice she gives. It’s an honor to recognize Muriel today in Albany as a 2010 Woman of Distinction.”

Born in 1919 in Guttenberg, N.J., Muriel took a job at Cooper Union in New York City during World War II and attended New York University at night, where she worked as editor of the school newspaper. There she met her husband Joe, with whom she moved from Westchester to Fulton in 1963 when he took a job at the former Nestle factory.

In Oswego County, she worked as a free-lance journalist and joined striking reporters in 1981 to form the Daily Messenger to “give the community another voice” and the paper lasted four years. When asked to fill in for a few days as the mayor’s secretary in Fulton, she ended up working in that post for 9 ½ years where she learned about the city and got involved in the campaigns of friends, before being asked to run for mayor herself in 1987.

At age 67, she was elected the first woman mayor of Fulton—at that time, the only woman mayor in Central New York and one of just six in the state—and served two terms. Throughout 50 years of voluntary community service, she helped form the Fulton Soup Kitchen, the Fulton Historical Society, worked with the Red Cross, the United Way, and the Salvation Army.

At age 90, not even a hip replacement has slowed her down as she continues to be an active member of the Professional Journalists and Communicators, formerly the Oswego County Press Club, the Fulton Community Revitalization Corporation, Neighborhood Watch and the Fulton Empire Zone Board.

-30-

Siena Poll: Cuomo Maintains Huge Lead

On the eve of the state conventions for both parties, Democrats have large leads over their potential Republican opponents for all statewide offices, except Attorney General.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, now officially a candidate for governor, maintains huge, nearly identical, leads over all three potential Republican opponents. In a three-way Republican primary for the nomination Rick Lazio has 13-point lead over Carl Paladino and a 15-point lead over Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy.

Full Poll Here.

Siena Poll: Cuomo Maintains Huge Lead

Andrew Cuomo ...The Plan

The Plan from Andrew Cuomo on Vimeo.

Andrew Cuomo New York Governor Run Now Official

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo declared Saturday he is running for governor of the state once led by his iconic father, after a coy stealth candidacy smiled upon by the White House and conducted as he burnished a national reputation as a fighter of corruption.

The Democrat announced his long-anticipated campaign online early in the day, then delivered a speech in the afternoon outside a courthouse in Manhattan named after "Boss" Tweed, a figure from New York City's most corrupt days a century ago.

"The chronic dysfunction of Albany metastasized into the corruption of Albany ... and it was a bipartisan affliction," said the 52-year-old son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo. "Albany's antics today could make Boss Tweed blush."

Full Story

Chicken BBQ this Sunday

The Hannibal Democratic Committee is having a Chicken BBQ this Sunday, starting at 12:00 (noon) at the American legion on Rochester Street in Hannibal.

More jobs created this year than during George W. Bush's presidency

If the economy produces jobs over the next eight months at the same pace as it did over the past four months, the nation will have created more jobs in 2010 alone than it did over the entire eight years of George W. Bush's presidency.

That comparison comes with many footnotes and asterisks. But it shows how the economic debate between the parties could look very different over time -- perhaps by November, more likely by 2012. More important, the comparison underscores the urgency of repairing an American job-creation machine that was sputtering long before the 2008 financial meltdown.

First, the numbers: From February 2001, Bush's first full month in office, through January 2009, his last, total U.S. nonfarm employment grew from 132.5 million to 133.5 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's an increase, obviously, of just 1 million. From January through April of this year, the economy created 573,000 jobs. Over a full year, that projects to 1.72 million jobs. Job-creation numbers are notoriously volatile, so the actual result could run above or below that estimate. But Obama administration economists are increasingly optimistic that job growth this year will exceed expectations. Few of them will be surprised if more jobs are created in 2010 than over Bush's two terms.

Full Story

Olbermann: Palin An 'IDIOT' And Coward For Mocking Maddow, MSNBC (VIDEO)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 14, 2010 — Congressman Bill Owens announced today his appointment to two House Agriculture subcommittees. While serving with his colleagues on the federal panel influential in decisions critical to the farming community, Owens will sit on the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research as well as the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture.

"Serving on these two subcommittees is a big reason why being named to the Agriculture panel was such a top priority for me," Owens said. "Our farmers are a tremendous part of our local and national economies, and this helps place Upstate New York in a great position to meet the unique needs our agriculture communities have."

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research oversees all agriculture matters relating to agriculture credit, soil, water, and resource conservation, the small watershed program, energy and bio-based energy production, rural electrification, and agricultural research.

This panel is critical to the needs of Upstate New York farmers as they currently face a credit crunch. Congressman Owens is currently working with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack's office to address the financial challenges that many farms face as a result of the recession by ensuring access to credit through the USDA Farm Service Agency's loan guarantees and direct loans.

In April, Owens met with North Country Agriculture lenders in Lowville to discuss the coordination of these lending efforts.

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture oversees all matters relating to plant pesticides, fruits and vegetables, honey and bees, marketing and promotion orders, quarantine, adulteration of seeds, and organic agriculture.

In his first few months in office, Owens has fought tirelessly for local agriculture interests. In January, he pressed U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to protect Upstate dairy from the negative effects a U.S.-New Zealand trade agreement would have on the industry. Owens also fought to keep the Market Access Program (MAP) funded at its highest level to help local dairy farmers and wine producers continue to play a large role in local economic development.

In addition to the House Committee on Agriculture, Congressman Owens also serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Aubertine UTV Bill Passes Senate

Bill redefines ATV in state law to make side-by-side vehicles legal up to 1,500lbs

ALBANY (May 12, 2010)—The New York State Senate today passed by a 52-9 vote legislation sponsored by Sen. Aubertine (S.4277) that would allow all-terrain vehicle riders to legally register and ride utility trail vehicles on trail systems throughout the state.

“Allowing riders to legally register side-by-sides and other UTVs here in New York State gives many families and older riders new opportunities to use our trail systems and enjoy the outdoors with a passenger,” Sen. Aubertine said. “This legislation will increase revenue for the state through new registrations, help our economy with increased sales, and help law enforcement deal with the growing popularity of these vehicles. Many riders have them on the trails now and register them in other states because they want to comply with the law in some way. This bill gives them that opportunity.”

Law enforcement officials and riders from across the state, including Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, have asked Sen. Aubertine to carry this legislation. It would limit ATVs to 70 inches wide and increase the dry weight limit for ATVs from 1,000 lbs to 1,500 lbs, making side-by-sides and other utility terrain vehicles used on farms and for work purposes legal for registration with the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Like other ATVs, these vehicles would remain limited for use on trails and private property.

This increased weight limit for these slower vehicles would increase revenues brought in by registrations, open up markets for these vehicles and clear up confusion for law enforcement. The New York State Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Association and the New York Farm Bureau support this bill.

“UTVs are popular for work on our farms, with seniors and families,” Sen. Aubertine. “These are larger, but also slower vehicles, designed for off-road use that should be legal to register when other states, including Pennsylvania register these vehicles.”

-30-

Full Rep State Senator Bruno sentencing transcript

SharpeBrunoSentencing

NYS Senator Darrel Aubertine comments on Power for Jobs - 5/4/10

Senate Acts Quickly to Pass New ‘Power for Jobs’ Program

New program builds on past success retaining jobs to create new jobs and economic growth

ALBANY (May 5, 2010)—The New York State Senate, following the recommendation of Energy and Telecommunications Committee on Monday, moved immediately to pass legislation 58-3 last night sponsored by Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine to create a permanent ‘Power for Jobs’ program that will streamline and improve the state’s low cost power for economic development efforts.

“By passing legislation today that is based on the recommendations of employers and economic development experts, in advance of the May 15 deadline and with bipartisan support, we are demonstrating the Senate’s commitment to preserving and creating jobs statewide,” said Sen. Aubertine, vice chair of the Senate Energy & Telecommunications Committee. “In this time of budget constraints and economic crisis, this is legislation that will expand an already successful program and foster the economic growth we need to emerge from these difficult times stronger.”

The new Economic Benefit Power Program (S.7573-A) would continue to protect more than 250,000 jobs statewide that are covered by Power for Jobs and include additional power allocations to maximize the program’s potential. It would also make the program permanent, with available seven-year contracts, giving businesses the certainty they need to make long term investments and create jobs.

This bill was crafted with the input of employers and economic development experts around the state through the Powering New York’s Future Initiative, a series of statewide discussions with businesses and other stakeholders used to determine actions the Legislature could undertake to better use the resources of the New York Power Authority to make New York more business-friendly.

“Employers enrolled in this program and economic development groups have long said that the state’s resource of low cost power from NYPA could do more for our economy,” Sen. Aubertine said. “We went to these businesses, not-for-profit employers and other stakeholders in Buffalo, Niagara, Long Island, Syracuse, Kingston, Oswego and Massena and reached out to organizations across the state, and their input was used to develop this legislation. All too often, here in Albany we pass legislation and ask businesses to back into it and tell us what they think after it’s already law. In this instance, we took this important legislation and brought it to the people and businesses of this state to make sure we got it right.”

Among the organizations which have expressed support for this legislation are the Business Council of New York State, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Manufacturer’s Association of Central New York, Consumers for Affordable and Sustainable Energy, the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, the Metropolitan Development Association, the Center for Economic Growth, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and the Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce.

This bipartisan Senate bill takes a comprehensive approach to using low cost power and the resources of the New York Power Authority to maximize the retention and creation of jobs across New York State. It would build on previously successful programs such as Power for Jobs by incorporating the needs of employers to ensure even better results.

Critically important is that the program will no longer require annual approval of the legislature and provides for a mutual “evergreen” option for the state and businesses to sign one-year extensions to be added to the end of a seven-year deal for job retention and investment. The current programs would remain in place until July 1, 2011, at which point they will be phased out and replaced by the new program.

The legislation also makes an additional 455 megawatts of power available to help create jobs, while limiting the impact on Rural and Domestic Power allocations that subsidize farms, businesses and homeowners in communities receiving hydropower benefits. Those benefits would remain at 2009 levels of up to $70 million for 2011 and 2012, with the cap dropping to $60 million in 2013, $50 million in 2014, and $40 million in 2015, where it would be frozen moving forward.

The new program would be open to businesses (except retail) and non-profits, including current NYPA participants that are in substantial compliance with contractual commitments. Among the criteria for eligibility that will be factored in are:

· the significance of power costs for the employer;

· the extent that benefits will result in new investment and the willingness of applicant to commit to new investments;

· size of applicant’s payroll, jobs created or retained and willingness to commit to job targets;

· risk that facility could close or relocate, causing job loss and the facility’s local economic significance;

· whether the not for profit provides critical services or substantial benefits to community;

· prior energy audits and/or efficiency investments and a willingness to become more efficient;

· consistency with the state’s energy plan, performance under prior NYPA programs, and state and local development plans.

No single criteria, standing alone, would determine if an employer receives benefits, but each shall be weighed in a consistent manner into a comprehensive review of all relevant factors. The bipartisan legislation would expand the existing four-member Economic Development Power Allocation Board to nine members, to determine eligibility and enroll employers in the new program. Energy efficiency also remains central to this legislation, beginning New York Power Authority free energy audits to recipients to improve efficiency and perform weatherization worth at least $10 million annually.

-30-

Wind Mills and Options and Democracy in Oswego County

In the debate, or should I say lack of debate, in the resolution to oppose wind power, it seemed that there were several options that should have been explored. These were clearly compromises, which would have met the demands of the anti-wind people and also allowed Oswego County the opportunity for the economic benefits of wind power.

Yes, there needs to be both local study and local control. There was plenty of opportunity for local control of any wind farm in Oswego County just as we had over the nuclear power plants. The problem is the Republican’s over reaction by closing the door to any possible development is quite simply…dumb.

A better decision could have been made by the legislature if they had taken the advise offered by the members of the Democratic Caucus who asked for a committee, such as the Rules of the County Legislature allow for, to study all the pro’s and con’s and report back to the legislature with factual findings. Democracy is ill served by those who wish to silence any debate.

One option that was ignored was the location of a small wind farm right off the nuclear power plants in Scriba. At present there is a restricted lake area were boats are not allowed. There is already transmission lines for the power, so no new ones need to be built. Another advantage is in the future when the plants are decommissioned there would still be power running in the many power lines that have been built, which run all across Oswego County.

Oswego County has for years been a producer of Power, Onions and Apples. Of course we do not consume all these products here, that's why we have a free market. Is this a solution to the issue?

Could be…but we will never know as the Republican county fathers have just said NO.

Drill Baby Drill Oilspill

Drill Baby Drill !!!

For all those with short memories...Palin on Off Shore Drilling

At VP debate and on the campaign trail in Florida, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) says we have to 'drill, baby, drill' with "safe" and "environmentally friendly" offshore drilling -- ignoring the millions of gallons of oil spills and other environmental damage from drilling because of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike, and the like, as well as pollution from normal operation, and the global warming impacts of drilling and using fossil fuels.