| Neil Breslin on Property Taxes In the Recent Senate Session
The New York State Senate has been called back in for an August session, which means all of our eyes should be on the most recent actions of our State Senators during this election year. That's the easiest way to hold officials accountable, whether you support them or not, and the retrospective voters will certainly be watching closesly. Senator Breslin most recently has been recieving wide coverage of this quote in opposition to recently Republican Senate-approved tax cap bill put forth by Governor Paterson.
"Just to say a tax cap without any consideration of the most important part senior citizens on fixed incomes, a circuit breaker. It's pandering when we do nothing for them," said Democratic Albany Senator Neil Breslin.
Emphasis added.
In the lead-up to Senator Breslin's opposition, Newsday made this connection:
Six State Senate Democrats plan on Friday to blast Gov. David A. Paterson's proposed 4 percent cap on yearly increases in school property taxes minutes before a special session in Albany to vote on the matter.
The senators - Antoine Thompson of Buffalo, Neil Breslin of Albany, Ruth Hassell-Thompson of the Bronx (left), Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Westchester, Liz Krueger of Manhattan and Kevin Parker of Brooklyn - "will explain why the so-called 'tax cap' would have the same devastating effect on public education in New York that similar legislation had in other states," according to a media advisory.
There's plenty of irony here.
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Of the six, only Thompson and Stewart-Cousins came to the Senate after Paterson relinquished his job as Democratic leader to run for lieutenant governor on a ticket with Eliot Spitzer. And Parker is facing a tough re-election fight.
Senator Breslin is also facing a tougher-than-it-looks primary. His two challengers are recieving very little coverage in the mainstream media, despite a particularly strong ground game coming from the Weiss campaign. It's certainly a possibility that Neil made that vote more about looking tough during a political season than as part of a pattern, especially when one considers this coverage from public broadcasters:
That put a number of Democratic Senators who oppose the property tax cap in an awkward position. Senator Neil Breslin, a Democrat of Albany, says the measure amounts to "pandering", and says schools in his district can't survive with the limitations. He says the City of Albany has to support 10 charter schools, and one rural district he represents has skyrocketing bus transportation costs.
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Senator Breslin and some other Democratic Senators who oppose the cap did vote in favor of a Republican bill to help schools cope with costs, by reducing expensive state rules and helping districts share services.
Emphasis added.
A little insight: I'm from the Helderbergs, a place Neil doesn't come to unless he's got a tough election to win. I can tell when he's talking about my own alma mater. The costs certainly are skyrocketing, and we'll look at what Breslin has actually done to address skyrocketing energy costs across the state...if anything. Furthermore, the "shared services" debate is one that is all but decided against in the hills and a few suburban towns in Albany County, though that issue has been the focus of more localized outlets.
Back to the issue, Breslin seems to have been against even going back to work no matter which way he voted. Even the New York Daily News picked up on that a few days ago in Elizabeth Benjamin's Daily Politics:
Senate Democrats' Answer To Economic Crisis
C'mon now. Albany in August is not THAT bad, people.
The Senate Democrats are offering to do their part to address the state's fiscal crisis by not returning to work this Friday for a special session called by Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos to pass mandate relief for local governments and a property tax cap.
Citing the high cost of gas and per diem payments, the Democrats say it would be "wasteful" for the Senate to come back to the Capitol twice in one month, noting Gov. David Paterson recently called on both houses of the Legislature to return for an emergency economic session on Aug. 19.
"Needless spending shouldn't be our first course of action when dealing with a fiscal crisis," said Sen. Neil Breslin, an Albany-area Democrat. "There is no reason to take two days for something that requires only one. It's wasteful to call back the Legislature twice to speak on the same topic."
Emphasis added.
Even the Senator's official web site offers offers this under the headline Senate Democrats Ask Senate Republicans to Cal of "Wasteful" Second Day of Session:
Breslin urged Republican Senators last week to only attend Governor David A. Paterson's special "economic session" scheduled for August 19. This week Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith has joined Breslin in calling for the one day of session.
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Senator Breslin added: "The Democratic conference has been hard at work weighing our options and forming a plan to deal with the state's fiscal crisis. This week lawmakers will be running over the numbers again and again as we look to balance the needs of our constituents with the needs of the state."
I believe this is a good time to note that Senator Breslin lives in Delmar, a suburban hamlet in the Town of Bethlehem about a fifteen minute drive away from the Senate chambers. Yes, he is speaking of the overall costs of convening the Senate together; but are we seeing any alternative from the Senator, like maybe meeting for a full week to tackle other issues while the legislature is in town to get more bang for our buck? Or perhaps enforcing penalties on legislators who commute in luxury sport utility vehicles and eight cylinder beemers?
Personally, I also believe this is not the time for Senate Democrats to be seen as wanting to do less work when we are only a couple seats away from a Majority in the Senate. Even Breslin himself has said that such a majority is needed, and he seems confident it is on the way:
Reporters asked Senator Neil Breslin when he expects that New Yorkers will see some real relief if this current bill dies in the assembly.
He responded, "Hopefully, it will happen in the next few months and, if not, it'll happen at the beginning of the next session when there'll be a different composition to the state senate."
For a retrospective voter, hitching on other past statements from Breslin will have them building lists of past statements that do not fit their voting patterns. Senator Breslin supporting the draft, not supporting New York City congestion pricing, his backing of the Albany Convention Center mix-ups, and even more controversial nuggest such as his campaigning tactis...
Breslin filed a lawsuit to keep the Republicans' first choice, Theodore Gustave Hartman, on the ballot. The state Court of Appeals refused to hear Breslin's appeal of decisions made by a state Supreme Court justice and the Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court that had ruled in Conners' favor.
[Hiss opponent Mike] Conners said Breslin might have filed the lawsuit, not to knock him off the ballot, but rather, to stall any possible debates between the two candidate.
...or Breslin's connection to certain law firms...
ALBANY, May 08, 2008 (Albany Times Union - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- -- State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli expanded his statewide crackdown on pension abuse Wednesday, saying he stripped three more lawyers of their retirement system membership and took away credits from two others including Public Service Commissioner Maureen Harris
At the same time, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is looking at what one person close to the investigation said were "firm-wide practices" at Albany's Girvin & Ferlazzo law firm, where Harris, and another lawyer stripped of pension credits, M. Cornelia Cahill, worked.
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Two state lawmakers are connected to the firm.
State Sen. Craig Johnson, D-Port Washington and Assemblyman Marc Alessi, D-Shoreham are both "of counsel" there. While details vary, that status means a lawyer typically isn't a partner or even employee of the firm, but may share office space or get benefits such as malpractice insurance. In some instances, "of counsel" lawyers may get a cut of business they bring to a given firm.
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State Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Delmar, had earlier been of counsel at Girvin & Ferlazzo but said he left the firm about a year ago, well before the pension issue erupted.
Breslin is now of counsel at the Hiscock & Barclay firm where Cahill is a partner.
Emphasis added.
...may eventually reveal a long list of reasons why progressive retrospective Democratic voters may wishto vote aginst Neil Breslin in the primary.
Senator Breslin's Past Record for Retrospective Voters
One of the biggest issue the retrospective voter may have with Breslin's 12 years in the Senate is his percieved constant excuse that he cannot do much of anything because of his status in the minority. One of the best resources for the retrospective voter is Project Vote Smart's Neil Breslin page, where you can check his voting record, his positions on issues and ratings from interest groups as well as some campaign finance information from years past.
Some of the highlights? In the Issues Position page at Project Vote Smart, also called a "Political Courage Test", these are a couple of answers provided by Senator Breslin:
Legislative Priorities
Please explain in a total of 75 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
No Answer
Project Vote Smart also gives a few interesting ratings from prominent interest groups in that page, and goes a nice distance back into his 12 years as Senator. Here are my highlights a progressive Democrat; you can check them all out at the link above:
2004 Based on voting records and a questionnaire in 2004, NARAL Pro-Choice New York considers the position of Senator Breslin to be 0.
2003-2006 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to New York State Right to Life Committee's position, Senator Breslin received a rating of 25.
1999-2002 Senator Breslin supported the interests of the New York State Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 1999-2002.
2006 Senator Breslin supported the interests of the Business Council of New York State, Inc. C percent in 2006.
1997 Senator Breslin supported the interests of the New York Civil Liberties Union 55 percent in 1997.
2006 Senator Breslin supported the interests of the Conservative Party of New York State 56 percent in 2006.
2005 Senator Breslin supported the interests of the Conservative Party of New York State 60 percent in 2005.
1998 Senator Breslin supported the interests of the Christian Coalition of New York 82 percent in 1998.
1998 Senator Breslin supported the interests of the Conservative Union 70
percent in 1998.
While the recent nay on the property tax vote will be fresh in all voters mind, the retrospective voter might find Neil Breslin's support of former Governor Spitzer's plan to allow illegal immigrants access to a driver's license interesting. Actually, he was one of those calling out opponents of this unpopular plan in a similar way to the destroyed, arrogrant former Governor, using very similar language as he is with the tax-cap issue today:
Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Bethlehem, said he sided with Spitzer despite opposition from his constituents because he believes extending driving privileges is the right thing to do, and Spitzer's opponents are "pandering to people's emotions."
Emphasis added.
Those of us who keep tabs on specific issues may remember a few key votes of our own. Since energy is such a huge issue and very big strength of one of his opponents, David Weiss, this piece in a retrospective voter's arsenal may also be of use to the prospective voter who supports such a challenger, an April 2006 piece titled Breslin joins Senate Republicans to block a Pataki veto override regarding wind power:
Veto battle over surcharges looms
ALBANY -- One of the first veto battles of this year's legislative session may start today as observers predict Gov. George Pataki will nix a proposal to shift control of some $200 million worth of utility surcharges from a state agency to the Legislature.
The looming fight over who controls money from the System Benefit Charge and Renewable Portfolio Standard fees that consumers pay on their electric bills also has created a rift among Democrats in the Assembly and Senate.
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The money goes for energy-efficiency projects and alternative energy projects such as wind turbines. It's currently administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
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Lawmakers, led by Assembly Democrats, have long complained they have no say in how the money is spent. This year, they passed a law that would fold the money into the state's general fund.
On the other hand, Senate Minority Leader David Paterson, D-Manhattan, who is running for lieutenant governor with Eliot Spitzer, opposes shifting the money to the general fund. Some have suggested that's because Paterson next year could be in the executive branch that currently controls the fund. Regardless, he seems to have support from other Senate Democrats, which would leave the Senate unable to muster the two-thirds vote needed for an override. Among those backing Paterson is state Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Albany.
This presents a rather interesting contrast between Breslin's support of his former Minority Leader and his current Governor. Speaking of conference leaders, retrospective Democratic voters who are particularly anti-Republican as well might find Senator Breslin's recent summary of the 2008 session curious:
"The trauma of losing a governor and losing a majority leader of 14 years is enough for one session," said Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Delmar.
This is a quote that certain segments of the hardcore retrospective voting corps, one that might be summarized as "the Anti-Breslin vote," is sure to jump on and remind fellow voters of. It suggest a do-nothing mentality that let's party politics get in the way of progress, and cozies up to a disgraced former Governor and the leader of the opposition. It is, for all intents and purposes, the retrospective voter's money-quote in the primary, no matter which challenger they support.
Indeed, there is a contingent of voters who are thoroughly opposed to the Breslin camp. Electoral evidence exists in the form of the 2004 challenge by Democratic Albany County Comproller Mike Conners, albiet on the Republican Party line. The fact that Neil is one of three brothers in county-wide posistions of power (as the County's State Senator, he is brother to County Executive Mike Breslin and County Judge Tom Breslin) places the name in strong connection to the Albany County Democratic machine. As such, there is surely an ant-establishment vote that will go to the polls against any Breslin in any election.
This makes it easy for the retrospective voter to connect Senator Breslin to the controverisal Albany Convention Center project, which I'm hearing will cost billions, being headed by brother Executive Breslin and Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings. The Breslins have also been very close to one Republican Town Supervisor in the Hilltowns of Albany County in connection with a controversy over shared services. And residents of Colonie who fit into this constituency may wonder why Neil Breslin wasn't able to do more about town's deficit. This is representative of just one of many ultra-local issues on which Breslin may be held to account on primary day.
COLONIE -- With the demise of a proposed midyear deficit tax in the Senate, town leaders got a crash course in the murkiness of state government.
The day after the Senate refused to vote on Colonie's request for a one-time tax to combat millions in red ink, those who crafted the bill were left puzzled and angry, and those in the best position to explain its defeat said nothing.
"It was totally political," said Sen. Neil Breslin, the Bethlehem Democrat who sponsored the measure to let Colonie collect just shy of $7 million in October to stabilize its finances.
No specific objections to the bill were raised, Breslin said, leading him to believe that its fate in the GOP-run Senate had little to do with its merits. "The Republicans in Colonie asked the Republicans in the state Senate to block it," Breslin said, offering his analysis of what happened. "There wasn't a speck of good government involved in this issue."
Calls to the offices of Republican Sens. Joseph L. Bruno and Hugh Farley were not returned Wednesday.
For the Breslin supporter, it's another example of not being able to get anything done because of a minority position. For a member of the anti-Breslin camp, it's another example of an excuse being made for being a member of the murky state government establishment. While no scientific number exists to prove the estimate, there certainly are consistent anti-incumbent voters in every electoral district.
Some retrospective voters may look back and wonder what Senator Breslin could have done instead. There are very few records of Breslin going out to neighboring Senate Districts (the 46th borders the districts of Senators Farley and Bruno) to give town halls and put actual political pressure on local Republicans in the form of a more informed constituency to grapple with. As mentioned before, he doesn't come out to more remote areas of his own county. And those of us who watch closely haven't seen any real support from Senator Breslin to neighboring State Senate candidates in the year he could finally get into the majority, including a lack of support to SD-51 candidate Don Barber.
When all this is put together, at least the voter who didn't really know of their State Senator's record has a few points to consider before hitting the polls.
Blogger's Note: Putting It All Together To Vote Against Senator Breslin
The most dedicated of retrospective voters won't stop there, however. Some may wish to check out his past campaign contributors. Many will even become active in the primaries; but the campaigns being run by challengers are of more interest to the prospective voter who is looking for change and action in 2008. As such, a similar guide to Senator Breslin's two opponents will follow this diary. And, for the retrospective voter who wishes to see a more positive treatment of Senator Breslin, even I found this recent interview at The Informed Constituent to be very helpful. It's linked to here for balance of what I will admit could be called a fishing expedition of negatives; I prefer to think of it as going back and looking at my State Senator's record now that I have a choice to vote either against him as a retrospective voter or a prospective voter.
Indeed, there are many such prospective voters who see re-electing Senator Breslin as a good prospect, seeing as how a more senior member of the Democratic conference, once close to being minority leader, could soon be a ranking member of a new Democratic majority. And the Breslin name didn't take over by being not well-liked in the first place; it's just that, since then, running against a Breslin has provoked an ire that refelcts the survival of certain machine politics left over from eras past. As such, news of relevance to Senator Breslin's re-election will be included in continuing coverage of SD-46, which I began here in SD-46: Democratic Primary Brewing in Albany County; the major mainstream outlets in this area have yet to put out a major leading headling even acknowledging the primary, usually burying it if anything. The best place for information, future and past, can be found in a handful of independent weekly newspapers, including The Spotlight and Metroland, and here on The Albany Project.
When all is said and done, it is a relevant primary in which many voters will be participating thanks to the intense courting of voters to turn out in the hotly contested primary in New York's 21st Congressional District. Albany County, coterminous with the 46th SD, contains over half the voters in this primary. It deserves to be reported. A larger than normal turnot of voters will go to the polls, and they will have the choice between re-electing Neil Breslin, or for one of his two challengers, Charlie Voelker and David Weiss. That result will be reported, because it could potentially surprise a lot of people. Stay tuned for what could be the biggest surprise of the primary season in Albany County politics.
In closing, I will fully disclose that I consider myself a blend of retrospective and prospective voter and am a volunteer for the Weiss for Senate campaign. Thanks for taking the time to become more informed about what is just one voter's specific and persuasive take on the race. The only thing I truly wish everyone does is go out there on September 9th and make their own decision official; that's good for our State Senate no matter who wins. |
