'Gathering storm'

by: Michael Bouldin

Mon Mar 08, 2010 at 09:57:17 AM EST

In [...] New York, where various state legislators have been embroiled in scandals, a new Marist College poll indicates that just 16 percent of voters believe the state Senate is doing an excellent or good job, while 82 percent rated it as fair or poor.

In the state Assembly, which hasn't been in the same throes of scandal and chaos as the state Senate, the numbers aren't much different: 17 percent said the Assembly is doing an excellent or good job, while 80 percent said the job was fair or poor.

"There's a cavalcade of problems coming out of Albany, huge stalemates, dysfunction and corruption issues," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

Miringoff said while state lawmakers are inevitably linked to the general dissatisfaction with and distrust of the federal government, most of the displeasure in the Empire State has been homegrown. Back-to-back scandals in the governor's office certainly haven't helped.

"The big media centers in New York are usually New York City and D.C. You have to really work at it in Albany to punch through, but they have," said Miringoff. "It's a real mess out there."

By contrast, the most spectacular collapse in public approval in living memory, that of George Bush's presidency, bottomed out at 33% approve, 66% disapprove the week he left office. Little wonder there's a fundraising feeding frenzy.

Why should I give the NY Dems any of my money?

by: Steaming Pile

Mon Dec 07, 2009 at 23:11:51 PM EST

I blew it.  I could have asked the poor hapless phone bank guy why the New York Democrats, after capturing the State Senate for the first time in forty years, let Pedro Espada steal it by blackmailing the Democratic caucus.  I might have also asked why it is that Democrats cannot do with 60 members what Republicans manage to get done with 55, but that's not anybody's fault in Albany.

Just a reminder:

by: NYBri

Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 12:17:57 PM EDT

Be sure to sign and send along.

It's at FireMonserrate.com

FireMonserrate.com is up and accepting Signatures

by: NYBri

Fri Oct 16, 2009 at 16:24:57 PM EDT

As I said in my previous diary, there is now a petition calling for the resignation or removal, if necessary of Senator Hiram Monserrate from YOUR New York State Senate.

It's at FireMonserrate.com

We are looking to collect as many signatures as possible, from Democrats, Republicans and Independents. We will deliver them to Senator Monserrate's office as well as the Majority and Minority Leadership in Albany.

So far, four Senators have issued statements agreeing with our position that the New York State Senate is no place for people who have been convicted of a serious domestic violence crime:

Senator Liz Krueger
Senator Dave Valesky
Senator Brian Foley
Senator Darrel Aubertine

Please join our effort and spread the word. There is no room for this behavior on the part of our elected officials.

To contact us and lend a hand:
firemonserrate@gmail.com

Full text of the petition after the fold:

NY Voters Angry at Senate, Vow to Remember in 2010

by: jmcbride

Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 13:48:29 PM EDT

By a large majority, the poll says voters will remember this fiasco when they go to the polls in November 2010.  Incumbent senators, thinking they will seek reelection, must be hoping that number will drop off significantly.  Obviously, some senators are in much more trouble than others.

I'm working on a conference for bloggers, grassroots organizers, potential candidates and staffers to organize for the 2010 November elections. Most likely it will be in Albany on September 26.  We need more and better Democrats at all levels of government, but now is the time to work on the New York State Senate.  Please be in touch with me if you can help and or have relevant thoughts to share.