Slowly but surely, my campaign for Rensselaer County Legislature moves ahead. This week, I was pleased to learn I have received the endorsement of the Troy Area Labor Council. I was interviewed by about a dozen people, representatives of a number of unions ranging from the New York State United Teachers to the Bricklayers. They asked interesting and probing questions regarding my views of labor in general, and health care reform, the Employee Free Choice Act, and much more in particular.
The largest public employees union in New York - CSEA - announced today that they will support Gillibrand for Senate in the 2010 elections.
CSEA President Danny Donohue said Senator Gillibrand established a strong working relationship with CSEA during her years in the House of Representatives and she has continued to impress with her hard work and fresh ideas. Donohue made the announcement during a meeting of CSEA's 122 member statewide Board of Directors today.
"Senator Gillibrand is an important ally for CSEA members and other working people," Donohue said. "She understands the pressures that our members experience on and off the job and she has consistently worked with us. At a time when our state and nation face extraordinary challenges, we need extraordinary individuals representing New Yorkers in the US Senate."
"We are proud to make this announcement now and without any reservation because we know Senator Gillibrand will continue to serve New Yorkers well.
"I am honored to receive the endorsement of CSEA and the 300,000 members-hardworking New Yorkers in every part of our state. We have a lot of work to do together to move forward on President Obama's agenda to get America's economy working again, create good-paying jobs and repair our nation's broken health care system," Gillibrand said.
CSEA joins a growing number of New York unions that have lined up behind Gillibrand's campaign, including New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1500 (UFCW), New York State Pipe Trades Association, New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), National Federation of Federal Employees, New York State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and Office and Professional Employees Union.
I am actually a member of CSEA. I just received my membership card in the mail a few days ago. So this endorsement is excellent on many levels.
The strong labor backing Gillibrand has received will help her, not only in a primary, but also in the general election. As Gillibrand's profile grows and she becomes more widely known, it will be tough for anyone to put up a strong fight against her. That goes for Democrats and Republicans.
She is a very strong representative who knows that listening to her constituents, being open (her sunlight initiatives are a rarity in Washington D.C.) and showing leadership is key to winning over New Yorkers who are looking for her to replace Hillary Clinton. She has shown the ability to do all of that and has even shown an ability to embrace the progressive movement and netroots and fight for the same causes we have been battling for.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand received more support from the organized labor community today when two unions announced that they have endorsed Gillibrand for Senate.
The New York State Pipe Trades Association and the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153 backed Gillibrand in her bid for election next year.
Both unions, along with past unions that have backed Gillibrand, have mentioned her work on key labor issues, including the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), fair pay for women and other important issues.
Working men and women from across New York are touting Senator Gillibrand's solid commitment to the Employee Free Choice Act, paycheck fairness for women, along with her efforts to provide health care for 9/11 rescue workers.
"We are proud to endorse Senator Gillibrand for her election in 2010," said Richard Roberts, President of the NY State Pipe Trades Association, which represents plumbers, steamfitters, and sprinklerfitters across the state. "Throughout her time in Congress, Senator Gillibrand has gone to the mat for working families in New York State, showing incredible commitment to the issues we care most about. In particular, we are proud of her leadership on efforts to provide health care to the rescue workers at the world Trade Center and pass the Employee Free Choice Act."
"Kirsten Gillibrand is the kind of Senator our thousands of members can be proud of," said Larry Bulman, Secretary-Treasurer, NY State Pipe Trades Association. "In just four short months on the job, she has demonstrated her commitment to the issues that matter most to our members."
"Kirsten Gillibrand has established herself as a strong advocate for working people," said James Cahill, International Representative for the NY State Pipe Trades Association. "She will work with President Obama to fix this economy and ensure good-paying jobs in New York."
"Kirsten is a true champion for all of us in New York and across America who have been working harder for less and getting squeezed by the fall of this economy," said Mike Goodwin, President of the OPEIU, which has 125,000 members nationwide and 25,000 members in both the private and public sectors in New York City, including New York hotels, the New York Stock Exchange, health insurance companies, manufacturing companies, universities, security companies and teachers in the Archdiocese of New York."
"She knows what's at stake for us," continued Kistler. "She's brought new life to EFCA and is fighting for paycheck fairness and better wages for all of us. She's brought a tenacity to the job that we are confident will help rebuild this economy with the good-paying jobs and affordable health care we need."
"I am honored to have the endorsements of OPEIU and the Pipe Trades Association," said Senator Gillibrand. "It is time we have an economy that works for all our workers, and I am proud to partner with working families to help President Obama create jobs and fix this economy."
Since she first joined Congress, Gillibrand has been a proud original co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act. She also co-sponsored legislation to increase the minimum wage, and has been an outspoken advocate for comprehensive health care reform to provide affordable, quality care to every man, woman, and child. Senator Gillibrand has earned a near perfect career rating from the AFL-CIO.
More endorsements for Gillibrand will only strengthen her for a primary challenge, which is still likely to occur. How strong that challenge is, however, remains to be seen. While Rep. Carolyn Maloney is said to be a potential challenger, other names aren't being touted as serious contenders for the job.
These endorsements are crucial for Gillibrand and they highlight her work as a senator and as a member of the House of Representatives. She has made workers a priority and that is reflected in these endorsements.
Nationally, the newspaper business is in a depression, due mostly to the Great Recession's impact on advertising and partly to stupid decisions made by newspaper chains large and small.
But many newspapers are still profitable, if less so than before, on an operating basis, and some of them see the current crisis as an opportunity to screw their employees.
This diary will be about one such profitable newspaper -- the Albany Times Union, the major daily for the Capital District, owned by the billionaire Hearst family.
In early April, the TU unilaterally canceled its contract with the Newspaper Guild, which represents about 240 people in the newsroom, the sales staff, and elsewhere.
The Guild is fighting back, taking out ads and billboards encouraging people to cancel their TU subscriptions.
I've been a regular commenter on Capital Confidential, the political blog of the Albany Times Union, since it began about four years ago (no links, for reasons laid out below).
CapCon features posts by the TU's Capitol bureau journalists on what's happening on their beats and a daily aggregation of statewide political news, with comments by people like me underneath. It has been a lively place for partisan commenters -- during the Sweeney/Gillibrand contest in 2006, some posts attracted 100-plus comments.
It's a quieter place now, even though the current race in NY-20 has generated lots of comments, many by me.
That election has not yet been decided, but I'm not commenting at CapCon anymore, about Tedisco/Murphy or anything else, because last week the Hearst billionaires who own the TU unilaterally canceled their contract with the Newspaper Guild, which represents about 240 people in the newsroom, the sales staff, and elsewhere.
SEIU launched a new TV spot in the NY-20 race today. I guess it shouldn't surprise anyone that they are working the Obama endorsement as well. Not sure of the points on the buy, but I have a feeling that plenty of people in the district will be seeing this ad as well as the DNC's "Obama Supports Murphy" ad over the final weekend of the race.
Or, at least that what he is threatening. After failing to wrest concessions from the public sector unions that represent most state employees, Paterson says he's going to put almost 9,000 jobs on the chopping block.
Citing a $16.2 billion budget deficit that appears to be growing larger by the day, Gov. David Paterson this afternoon said his administration will eliminate 8,900 jobs, starting this summer.
"This is not a decision that has been reached lightly," said a letter that went out minutes ago from Paterson's state operations director Dennis Whalen.
"However, given the fact that savings through labor concessions were not achieved, Governor Paterson was forced to make this difficult decision for the good of the entire state."
Budget Division spokesman Jeffrey Gordon said the job cuts will probably start in July and they apply to "full-time equivalents," which means some of the target might be reached by attrition.
In his message to agency heads, Whalen said they will be providing updates and bulletins over the next few weeks.
Still unknown was where most of the cuts may fall, by geography and by agency.
That's pretty damn harsh, especially given that huge chunk of change we just got from the feds, funds that were supposed keep states from having to lay off staff in the middle of a severe recession.
Dennis Whalen's full letter is in the extended entry.
UPDATE: Malcolm Smith's office just released this statement:
These are difficult times and no segment of the state is immune to the harsh reality of the fiscal crisis. We urge the union leadership who represent the public sector workforce to step up and renegotiate a fair agreement that is consistent with the principle of shared sacrifice all New Yorkers must accept during times of economic distress. Public employees are among the most vital contributors to our workforce, but at the same time, they must also be our partners as we strive to change the structure of our state's budget and get New York's economy back on track.
The number of U.S. workers continuing to claim jobless benefits notched a fresh record in the second week of February, Labor Department data showed on Thursday, while new claims for aid were the highest since 1982.
The number of people remaining on the benefits roll after drawing an initial week of assistance increased by 114,000 to a 5.112 million in the week ended Feb. 14, the most recent week for which data is available. The so-called continued claims topped every estimate in a Reuters poll of 15 economists, which had a consensus forecast of 5.00 million.
Initial claims for state unemployment insurance benefits increased to a seasonally adjusted 667,000 in the week ended Feb. 21 from a revised 631,000 the prior week, the Labor Department said. It was the highest reading since October 1982, when claims reached 695,000.
The year-long U.S. recession has savaged the labor market and sent the unemployment rate soaring, with some economists fearing it will pierce 9 percent in 2009 from 7.6 percent in January and mount further next year.
It would seem that the first skirmish in the looming battle over the Employee Free Choice Act is finally over. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee just voted to send the nomination of Hilda Solis for Secretary of Labor to the full Senate for a vote. Only bootlicking scrub Pat Roberts and certifiably batsh*t insane whackado Tom Coburn voted no.
Rep. Hilda Solis edged closer Wednesday to winning confirmation as the nation's next labor secretary, after more than a month of delays over questions about her husband's unpaid taxes and her work for a pro-union group.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee cleared her nomination in a voice vote with only two Republicans voting against her. The action sends the nomination to the full Senate for a final vote likely this week.
...
Republicans had already stalled her confirmation for weeks after raising questions about her role as a board member and treasurer of American Rights at Work, a nonprofit group working to pass a bill to make it easier for workers to form unions.
The wrangling over Solis' ties to organized labor is seen as a precursor to a bitter fight to come over the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as "card check" - a bill organized labor is pushing that would make it easier for workers to form unions. Business groups and most Republicans adamantly oppose the measure.
Next up is what will certainly be a rough, if not extremely entertaining, fight on the Senate floor. Expect to see GOP senators go the full freakin' wingnut over Solis and EFCA. Also expect to see the utter contempt that these folks have for working people and their concerns on full, ugly display.
1199 S.E.I.U. United Healthcare Workers East and the Greater New York Hospital Association have launched a ferocious ad campaign against Governor Paterson's proposed cut. The Times had the story yesterday:
At a time when Gov. David A. Paterson can ill afford more negative attention, the state's most powerful health care interests are mounting a multimillion-dollar media campaign that excoriates the governor and his plans to cut funding for hospitals and other health care facilities.
In television commercials that will begin broadcasting statewide on Monday, nurses and patients take a personal swipe at the governor, imploring, "Why are you doing this?" At one point, a nurse says, "I can't believe Governor Paterson is the one making this proposal." Then a man, blind and in a wheelchair, asks the governor, who is legally blind, "Why are you doing this to me?"
I haven't yet seen one of the ads, but they do look to be rather brutal. The Governor's folks are not taking this lying down, however. They have scheduled a 2pm news conference to address and rebut the ads.
The Director of State Operations Dennis Whalen, Deputy Secretary for Health and Human Services Joe Baker and State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines will be appearing to make the Governor's case and you can watch it live online at this link.
This could be quite interesting. I'll be watching.
It seems the cable nets are all "Miracle on the Hudson" all the time this morning. Perhaps, they should be. I mean, it is indeed an amazing story. But, given all the coverage from every possible angle this morning, there seems to be a rather glaring omission. Over at FDL, Emptywheel sets us straight
They're calling it a miracle--the successful landing of a US Airways jet in the Hudson and subsequent rescue of all 155 passengers. They're detailing the heroism of all involved, starting with the pilot and including cabin crew, ferry crews, and first responders. What they're not telling you is that just about every single one of these heroes is a union member.
There's the pilot:
What might have been a catastrophe in New York - one that evoked the feel if not the scale of the Sept. 11 attack - was averted by a pilot's quick thinking and deft maneuvers,
[snip]
On board, the pilot, Chesley B. Sullenberger III, 57, unable to get back to La Guardia, had made a command decision to avoid densely populated areas and try for the Hudson,
[snip]
When all were out, the pilot walked up and down the aisle twice to make sure the plane was empty, officials said.
One passenger, Elizabeth McHugh, 64, of Charlotte, seated on the aisle near the rear, said flight attendants shouted more instructions: feet flat on the floor, heads down, cover your heads.
They are members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Yesterday's accident should remind all of us that flight attendants are first and foremost safety professionals--they should not be treated like cocktail waitresses.
There are the air traffic controllers:
The pilot radioed air traffic controllers on Long Island that his plane had sustained a "double bird strike."
They're represented by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Someday, they'll rename National Airport for the work these men and women do to keep us safe in the air.
There are the ferry crews:
As the first ferry nudged up alongside, witnesses said, some passengers were able to leap onto the decks. Others were helped aboard by ferry crews.
They're represented by the Seafarers International Union. They provide safety training to their members so they're prepared for events like yesterday's accident.
There are the cops and firemen:
Helicopters brought wet-suited police divers, who dropped into the water to help with the rescues.
It's pretty sad that, given the 'round the clock coverage on all the cable news channels, the computer animations, the endless explanations of terms like "double bird strike", the talking head experts -- all of that stuff -- that the one angle that is consistently overlooked is the fact that this "miracle" was brought to you by union members.
I think we'd do well to remember that. Or, as Marcy says:
Bob Corker and Richard Shelby like to claim that union labor is a failed business model.
But I haven't heard much about Bob Corker and Richard Shelby saving 155 people's
lives
Not only has freshman Rep Eric Massa signed on as a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, an absolutely vital piece of legislation for American workers, he just released this vigorously unapologetic statement announcing his support:
SYRACUSE, NY - This afternoon, Congressman Eric Massa announced his co-sponsorship of the Employee Free Choice Act, the most critical labor legislation since Davis-Bacon. Having campaigned for four years in support of American Workers, Congressman Massa today took the bold step of publicly declaring his intention to vote for the Employee Free Choice Act. Rep. Massa's announcement came during a speech to the UAW Region 9's Triennial Convention in Syracuse.
"This critical legislation is not anti-business, it is pro-American, period," said Congressman Massa. "The American Labor movement represents, and in fact is, the only remaining force left to help move our country in a new direction toward fair trade and away from destructive open door free trade. I stand, proudly, with my fellow Americans to support the transformation of the domestic automobile industry into the 21st century and I reject the outrageously false attacks that claim living wages, pension security, access to quality affordable health care, safety and dignity in the workplace, are somehow un-American."
...
Addressing the UAW audience, Rep. Massa asked, "How many of you make $74 per hour right now?" The audience's answer was silence. "Opponents of organized labor like Senator Corker and Senator Shelby want to make up false 'facts' and 'statistics' like this to try and break the union, but we won't let that happen. These same critics also say that the Employee Free Choice Act will abrogate the ability of workers to have a secret ballot, but we know this is false. I believe it is now time to level the playing field, overcome employer intimidation, and work with business hand in hand to defend what generations of Americans have put in place - the American Dream."
Skittish employers slashed 533,000 jobs in November, the most in 34 years, catapulting the unemployment rate to 6.7 percent, dramatic proof the country is careening deeper into recession.
The new figures, released by the Labor Department Friday, showed the crucial employment market deteriorating at an alarmingly rapid clip, and handed Americans some more grim news right before the holidays.
As companies throttled back hiring, the unemployment rate bolted from 6.5 percent in October to 6.7 percent last month, a 15-year high.
Job losses were widespread, hitting factories, construction companies, financial firms, retailers, leisure and hospitality, and others industries. The few places where gains were logged included the government, education and health services.
The loss of 533,000 payroll jobs was much deeper than the 320,000 job cuts economists were forecasting. The rise in the unemployment rate, however, wasn't as steep as the 6.8 percent rate they were expecting. Taken together, though, the employment picture was dismal.
The job reductions were the most since a whopping 602,000 positions were slashed in December 1974, when the country was in a severe recession.
Job losses in September and October also turned out to be much worse. Employers cut 403,000 jobs in September, versus 284,000 previously estimated. Another 320,000 were chopped in October, compared with an initial estimate of 240,000.
Employers are slashing costs to the bone as they try to cope with sagging appetites from customers in the U.S. and in other countries, which are struggling with their own economic troubles.
The carnage - including the worst financial crisis since the 1930s - is hitting a wide range of companies.
Batten down the hatches, folks. This one is going to be bad.
Brian Foley was joined by over 50 members of four local unions yesterday for door-to-door canvassing in Brookhaven. The campaign has received a huge push from organized labor over the last week thanks to seven endorsements of Foley by local unions.
This Saturday, September 27th, over 50 members from four unions amassed in Brookhaven to walk door to door with Brian X. Foley, talking to voters about Foley's record of changing government and fighting for the working families of Suffolk County. Members of CWA Locals 1104 and 1108, SEIU Local 32BJ, and RWDSU volunteered their Saturday afternoon to join together and walk in the Shirley and Mastic Beach neighborhoods.
"We're proud to walk with Brian X. Foley today, because working people in Brookhaven and Islip deserve more than they're getting thanks to Caesar Trunzo's 36 years of failed economic policies," said Anthony Eramo, CWA Local 1104 Shop Steward. "Trunzo has been in the pocket of special interests for far too long. He's in Albany working for the HMOs and lobbyists; not for the people of this District. We're dedicated to a strong future for middle-class families on Long Island - that's why we're for Brian."
The first labor walk follows on the heels of an exciting week for the Foley campaign. Foley was endorsed this week by seven labor unions. CWA District 1, CWA Local 1108, UFCW Local 1500, RWDSU, UAW Region 9A, SEIU 32BJ, and New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council all threw their support behind Brian X. Foley's campaign. This powerful show of support from labor unions illustrates the strength of Foley's appeal to working families and the momentum of his campaign in Islip and Brookhaven.
In addition a recent public poll by the Siena Research Institute showed that Foley and 36 year incumbent Caesar Trunzo are in a statistical dead heat going into the final 5 weeks of the campaign. This was just the first of three labor walks for Foley. Members will also join Foley to walk the District in October and on Election Day weekend.
"I am honored to be joined by our friends from labor as we go door to door talking to voters about the change we'll bring to Albany," said Foley. Our Coalition for Change is passionate about ending Senator Trunzo's failed policies as part of the Albany status quo. Together, we will win this election and bring the same integrity and common sense approach to government that we used to turn Brookhaven around."
This will be important for Foley moving forward. He is running against a candidate who can't even appear in his own TV ads yet seems to have some level of support remaining in the district. Having unions hit the streets on his behalf will be important for Foley heading into the last month of the campaign.
This is a really good sign. SD-3 challenger, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley, has picked up the backing of 7 unions in his bid to unseat perpetual incumbent Caesar Trunzo (R-FL). From an emailed release:
Strength in Numbers:
Seven Unions Throw Their Weight Behind Foley
Leaders of seven labor unions announced their support for State Senate candidate Brian X. Foley today. CWA District 1, CWA Local 1108, UFCW Local 1500, RWDSU, UAW Region 9A, SEIU 32BJ, and New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council each endorsed Foley.
In a District where the Republican machine has courted organized labor for generations, these seven endorsements are a dramatic illustration of Foley's momentum across Islip and Brookhaven. Foley's opponent, 36-year incumbent Caesar Trunzo, has been a fixture of the Albany status-quo for the better part of four decades.
"Brian X. Foley has always put the needs of working men and women first," said Peter Ward, President of the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council. "He knows that a strong community needs quality jobs that pay workers a living wage and provides respect and dignity. Foley is a leader we can truly believe in: he promises job growth, and he delivers. Foley will provide the leadership we need in Albany to ensure that economic development programs designed to spur job growth, actually create good jobs for our community. We enthusiastically endorse Brian X. Foley."
"I am honored to have the support of hard-working men and women who make up the bedrock of our economy," said Foley. "Together, we will build a stronger, more prosperous Long Island and take our communities into a brighter future."
The seven endorsements signal the unions' confidence that Foley will be a force for change in the State Capital. "The endorsements underscore union confidence in Foley's commitment to change in Albany," said Shirley Aldebol, Local 32BJ's Long Island District Leader and member of the Long Island Federation of Labor. "Corporate interests should not be allowed to trump the interests of working people."
"Many politicians talk about creating jobs, but few can point to real accomplishments like Brian can," said Bob Morrow, Executive Vice President of CWA Local 1108. "In the past 6 months alone, he created hundreds of union jobs in Brookhaven. His Veteran Jobs and Education Fair drew hundreds of veterans from across Long Island. Working families can be confident that when he's in office, Brian X. Foley will put their interests on the top of his agenda."
President Bruce W. Both of UFCW Local 1500 added, "As Town Supervisor, Brian Foley has always supported UFCW local 1500 and the UFCW/RWDSU International Union in their campaign to hold Wal-Mart accountable for its irresponsible business practices that hurt workers and taxpayers. He has also been a proponent of smart, responsible development that is not done purely for benefit of developers, but considers the needs of the community as well. As a Senator, Brian Foley will put the needs of Main Street first, not the greed of Wall Street."
I can tell you that after spending some time out on Long Island with the campaign last week and another announcement like this one, it really feels as if Foley is definitely building some momentum here.
The Siena poll out later today may be able to give us a somewhat better picture as to where this race is at the moment, maybe not. I mean, this was the same outfit that told us a couple of weeks ago that McCain was trailing Obama by a mere 5 points in New York, which is, to be frank, absurd.
But I really like what I see in this race. Foley is a great candidate, he's got a great staff and now we are seeing some institutional muscle get behind the campaign.
Uncle Joe's pals at SEIU/1199 have endorsed Hiram Monserrate, the City Councilman running to replace John Sabini in SD-13. From an emailed press release:
1199 SEIU ENDORSES COUNCIL MEMBER HIRAM MONSERRATE FOR STATE SENATE
Union Backs Monserrate In His Bid For The 13th State Senate District
(New York, NY) 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East today announced their endorsement of Democratic candidate Hiram Monserrate in the September primary for the 13th State Senate district. Monserrate is making his 2nd bid for the Senate seat currently held by Senator John Sabini.
Monserrate's public service in the City Council and his long history of working to improve police and community relations exemplify the kind of dedication and resolve needed to serve as an elected leader in Albany.
"1199 is proud to endorse Hiram Monserrate for State Senate. As a Council Member, community activist and lifelong Queens resident, Hiram has first-hand knowledge and experience in advocating for the needs of the community," said George Gresham, President of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. "He has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of working families in his district. Hiram's leadership on immigration and living wage legislation demonstrate his deep commitment to progressive values and we're confident he'll continue to fight for issues critical to working families."
1199 SEIU plans to direct mail, phone-bank and go door-to-door to its thousands of members and retirees in the 13th Senate district.
"I am proud to receive the support of 1199 in my candidacy for the New York State Senate," said Council Member Monserrate. "I am pleased to receive the support of an organization that represents workers providing care for the most vulnerable members of our society. 1199 has historically challenged our state to tackle the most pressing issues confronting the State of New York and I look forward to working with them in the State Senate."
Does this mean that SEIU is breaking up with longtime BFF Joe Bruno? Doubtful. I'll start paying attention when they endorse a Dem state Senate challenger to a GOP incumbent. Though that may not be entirely beyond the bounds of the possible, I'm not exactly holding my breath.
The big news today at the Take Back America Conference will be announced at 12:30 press conference. What is being announced is being described as the "largest progressive mobilization in history." I'll have details later today, but Ben Smith is tossing around numbers like these:
At the Take Back America conference in D.C. today, an array of groups are going to tally their commitment to voter registration and mobilization -- field -- programs this cycle, the sort of stuff America Coming Together did in 2004, but which Democratic money types now hope can be done in a way that bulids existing organizations.
The total (embargoed for 6:00 a.m., which is why this post is going up now) exceeds $425 million:
AFL-CIO: $53.4 million
AFL-CIO affiliates: $200 million
Change to Win affiliates: $100+ million
MoveOn: $30 million
Acorn: $35 million
Rock the Vote- $5 million plus
La Raza: $4-6 million
This doesn't include what's expected to be massive media spending against McCain by the Campaign to Defend America and other outlets.
It looks to be a pretty big deal and I'm curious to know how much effort will be put into the states, specifically states such as ours.
The hits keep comin'. This morning's New York Sun reports that the federal investigation into Joe Bruno's business dealings has extended to a Smith Barney broker with serious Labor connections in Albany.
Federal investigators are examining the activities of a broker at a local Smith Barney office in Albany in connection with their probe of the Senate Republican majority leader, Joseph Bruno, according to a source.
Investigators, who are looking into Mr. Bruno's work for a Connecticut investment firm that manages millions of dollars of pension fund money for labor unions and contractors, are examining the records of financial advisers who acted as middlemen between the firm and the funds. The activities of the Smith Barney broker in Albany, Mark Caropreso, are a subject of interest of investigators, the source said.
Mr. Caropreso declined to comment.
The broker's father is Anthony Caropreso, a major figure in Albany's labor community - director of labor relations for the Eastern Contractors Association, a trade association of general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and service firms.
The younger Mr. Caropreso is on the board of directors for the association, according to the group's Web site.
Liz is reporting that the Working Families Party may be about to throw their support to Dan Squadron, who is running a primary campaign against my state Senator, Marty Connor.
A source who was on hand last night at the Working Families Party Coordinating Council said the organization voted to endorse Dan Squadron, a political neophyte and former aide to Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is mounting a primary challenge to veteran Democratic Sen. Marty Connor.
The next step is a meeting of the party's executive council, which is scheduled to get together on March 14 at the Crowne Plaza in Albany.
According to my source, several unions represented by the labor-backed party stuck up for Connor last night, but the local South Brooklyn club and ACORN had the majority of votes in the room and wanted Squadron.
While this is certainly good news for Squadron, it's truly terrible news for the man who WFP backed in the 2006 primary against Connor, Ken Diamondstone, who has also been making noise about taking another run at Connor this year. In fact, if WFP backs Squadron, it may keep Diamondstone out of the race altogether.
Diamondstone said he is "seriously considering" getting into the race and that the WFP's support "is and has been very important" to him. He said he has been assured the party has not made a final decision on an endorsement, adding:
" I would welcome their support this time around. Failing that, I would certainly need to evaluate what the loss of support by WFP would mean for our campaign. But I'll determine that should that occur."
I don't know Diamonstone personally, but I have met Squadron a few times and have had the chance to speak with him at length a few times. I'll just say that I can easily see why a healthy portion of the WFP membership would be interested in backing him. Dan is very bright and has an excellent grasp of reform issues and of how state government actually works here. He's exactly the kind of smart, young progressive that are now coming out to run for state Senate knowing that they'll be able to go to Albany and actually, ya know, do stuff and make an impact. I say all of this because I truly believe it and not because Dan once said that the Albany Project was The greatest blog (I've done an interview with, so far).
In a District where the Republican machine has courted organized labor for generations, these seven endorsements are a dramatic illustration of Foley's momentum across Islip and Brookhaven. Foley's opponent, 36-year incumbent Caesar Trunzo, has been a fixture of the Albany status-quo for the better part of four decades.
