The Barber campaign's YouTube page features some great videos of Don in action and gives you an opportunity to learn what Don is all about (if you didn't know already). Here is one of my favorite videos featuring Don:
And I shot this video of Don when he came to Rochester in late September for a press conference with a number of upstate senate candidates:
Like Phillip, this is the race I want to see in our column at the end of the night. If you are in the district, please cast your vote for Don Barber.
There are a few different pieces to a grassroots campaign. One is the canvassing part. Going door-to-door is essential, especially when you can make those crucial neighbor-to-neighbor contacts that really make a difference in campaigns.
Another part is phone banking. Calling voters is a must and while, thanks to technology, phone banking is easier than ever (you can use cell phones or landlines), it can be difficult at times. But the key is to identify your supporters and urge them to vote for you on Election Day.
Don Barber has lived by grassroots principles during this campaign. I know that his campaign has had a dynamic phone banking operation and their canvassing efforts have been just as successful. The number of phone calls they have made are in the thousands.
Today, Barber discussed in a video the phone banking operations and thanked the volunteers for their work:
There hasn't been as much hype with Barber's race in recent weeks. But in watching this race, I know better than to write off Barber. The Barber campaign and its volunteers have worked hard. They have Sen. Jim Seward up against the ropes. Seward isn't just going to roll over Barber. Barber is putting up a real challenge.
If you're in the 51st, please cast your vote for Don Barber tomorrow.
At an hour long Oneonta debate last night, state Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) highlighted how Sen. Seward's deregulation policies and lack of oversight had hurt all New Yorkers. Citing Seward's campaign contributions from insurance interests in Albany, New York and Washington D.C., Barber, (D-Caroline) linked insurance company cash to Seward's decades-long deregulation activities. Seward (R-Milford) denied that the hundreds of thousands he received from insurance interests influenced his policies.
In remarks after the debate Barber stated, "Sen. Seward made the claim that he had no role in regulating insurance. He neglected to say that the state Senate has an enormous influence over everything from health insurance rates to auto insurance rates. These insurance companies don't contribute money without expecting something in return, and they get it from Sen. Seward."
Barber also pointed to Aetna Insurance Political Action Committee spokeswoman Susan Millirick's statement to the Utica Observer-Dispatch on July 26th. Referring to insurance company campaign contributions to politicians, she said "Such contributions are made because insurance companies are highly regulated... He (Seward) plays a distinct role in the laws that regulate our business..."
Seward's claim that he has no influence over insurance legislation belies the facts, Barber said. The Assembly passed bills to control health insurance rates five times from 2001-2005. (A 6852A and A7485) These bills would have required State Insurance Department hearings if health insurers intended to raise rates over 5% in a given year. The companion bill (S 3757-A) never moved out of Seward's Senate Insurance Committee.
"During this period health insurance rates rose exponentially," Barber said. "And insurance company profits rose 93%. I'd say the insurance industry made a good investment when they showered all this cash on Sen. Seward."
In addition, Seward also pushed through dangerous stripped-down health care policies, Freedom Health Insurance Plans, that demand deductibles as high as $10,000 and are "exempted from all state mandates and rules regulating the type and quality of care," according to the Drum Major Institute.
"I can't think of any more blatant act of deregulation than tearing down all the state mandates that improve health insurance. Sen. Seward's legislation destroyed protections it took years to build into these policies. Deregulation is just another word for letting huge corporations take advantage of consumers, and when I'm elected I will do everything in my power to protect New Yorkers' health care, not make them more vulnerable to catastrophic illnesses and the bankruptcies that inevitably follow."
I have been hearing good things out of the Barber campaign in recent days. Come November 4, I would watch this race. There is something brewing in the 51st.
Don Barber had the chance to take on his opponent, Republican Sen. Jim Seward, in a radio debate. Barber took advantage of the golden opportunity.
According to the campaign, the debate will rebroadcast at noon Sunday on WZOZ 103.1FM, WDOS 730AM and WSRK 103.9FM.
Here is the reaction from Barber and his campaign following the debate:
In comments after the debate, Barber said, "Look at the state of our economy even before the Wall Street meltdown. Manufacturing is disappearing, family farms are being sold, minimum wage jobs are multiplying. We have 2.6 million in New York State without health insurance, one in three are without coverage at any given time, and now my opponent is going around touting stripped-down policies that non-partisan groups like the American Cancer Society say won't even pay for life saving treatments. The time is long past for new leadership in our district."
During the debate Barber pressed one of the central points of his candidacy, the corrupting influence of big money in Albany politics. "My opponent has taken over $320,000 from insurance interests. He's the Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee. This creates the appearance of impropriety, and the public loses faith in its representatives."
In a recent report, "The High Cost of Pay to Play," Citizen Action pointed out that Sen. Seward was the New York State Senate's leading recipient of cash from health insurers. Don Barber hasn't received a single dollar from corporate interests in his run for the state Senate, but has instead relied on over 2,000 individual donors to fund his seven-county campaign.
"It's hard to see how Senator Seward can say he's proud of his record when all around us we see the evidence of an economy in deep, long-term decline," said Tarah Rowse, Barber's Campaign Manager. "Don Barber has a plan to build a new economy that will provide the kind of jobs that will attract young people to our area, not send them running off thousands of miles away to find decent employment."
The people of the 51st Senate District have a clear choice. You can go with the same incumbent senator who has catered to the special interests instead of your interests OR you can go with Don Barber, a champion of the middle class and a hardworking man who will take that approach and view to Albany.
The choice is a clear one to me. The people of the 51st Senate District are fortunate to have a candidate like Don Barber. This is a golden opportunity to bring real change to Albany.
State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) accepted Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand's strong endorsement today. Rep. Gillibrand (D-Hudson) has made tax cuts for upstate and North Country families one of her highest priorities. She has also authored legislation that would double the tax credit for child care expenses and make up to $10,000 in college tuition tax deductible.
In her statement Rep. Gillibrand said, "This region needs leaders like Don Barber, who will fight to lower property taxes, decrease health care costs and grow our economy by creating good jobs. I look forward to working with Don to further the interests of this region, and I support his candidacy for the State Senate."
Barber expressed his appreciation for the Congresswoman's support. "Rep. Gillibrand and I share the same values. She is focusing on the struggles of upstate's working families, especially in this economic crisis as I am. We are both deeply concerned about how many New Yorkers lack health insurance and the continuing erosion of health care benefits even for those who have policies. Too many New Yorkers are just one illness away from bankruptcy. I very much appreciate Rep. Gillibrand's endorsement."
Barber has also been endorsed by Rep. Mike Arcuri and Rep. Maurice Hinchey, as well as Paul Tonko, who is running for Congress in the 21st congressional district. They also had glowing remarks about Barber, which you can read below the fold.
If you are in the 51st Senate District, please help Don out as much as you can. Candidates like Don don't come around too often and he is in a tough race. Even though I am many senate districts away from Don's, I still will be making phone calls for him this week and leading up to the election. If you don't feel like walkin', get on the phones and start talkin'. Let's help elect Don to the New York State Senate.
Don Barber is right at the top of my list of candidates I would love to see in the New York State Senate. He is real. He is genuine. Both those traits are currently lacking with the Republican majority. We don't want Don Barber in the New York State Senate. We NEED Don Barber in the New York State Senate.
Barber has recorded a brief campaign update to tell us where he is at up to this point.
Barber is in a tough fight. It's not going to be easy to knock off a guy who has secured $2,110,000 in member items for his district for 2008-09. But Barber knows the problems middle class folks face in SD-51. We need to elect Don Barber to the New York State Senate. Let's help him, shall we?
State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) accepted congressional candidate Paul Tonko's (D-Amsterdam) endorsement today. Tonko, the popular former Assemblyman and favorite to win the 21st Congressional seat, praised Barber for his stands on quality, affordable universal health care and energy policy.
"Don Barber has stood up to the powerful insurance lobby and made a strong argument that we need a publicly-funded, privately delivered universal health care plan. I have backed a similar proposal for many years because it is fiscally responsible and will deliver quality health care to every single New Yorker. Don Barber's vision of a new alternative energy economy and energy independence for New York is the sort of change we need in energy policy. I've worked with Don for a long time, and I know how committed he is to improving the lives of working people. That's why he has my full support."
Barber thanked Tonko for his backing. "Paul Tonko has tremendous support in the district for a reason. He is a leader with a long-range vision to build a better quality of life for all New Yorkers. He believes, as I do, that health care is a right, not a commodity that should be for sale. And we are on the same page as far as energy policy. By building a new alternative energy economy, we can build a sustainable local economy that will resist the kinds of global economic shocks we're experiencing right now."
This was a great gesture from Tonko, whose congressional district does overlap with Barber's state senate district.
Sen. Charles Schumer issued a ringing endorsement of state Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) today. Barber is running against Sen. Jim Seward (R-Milford) in the 51st state Senate district. Schumer praised Barber's "fine judgment" in calling for stronger oversight of the insurance industry. Since the campaign began, Barber has been scoring Sen. Seward's record of weakening oversight of the industry and accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from insurance interests while serving as Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee.
Schumer said, "Don Barber has made the economy and quality, affordable universal health care the centerpieces of his campaign. Since he started running he has been advocating stronger oversight of New York's insurance industry. And given the problems on Wall Street, we can see that Don Barber demonstrated fine judgment from the beginning. He puts working families and their needs first. The New York State Senate needs a progressive leader like Don Barber. He has the right values, and he'll bring fresh ideas to Albany. He has my whole-hearted support."
Oversight of the insurance industry turns out to be an issue that touches all of us-- as I have written before and before that, and as Simon has been tracking here and here and herkimerprogressive cites here... and others, too, of course. Insurance "stuff" turns out to matter immensely as a pocketbook issue for all NYers-- which is why all NYers need to help defeat Seward, insurance industry Legislator of the Year.
Way back in June, when Uncle Joe Bruno was still running the NYS Senate Show, Roatti wrote here about a bill that passed the Senate with no sponsor-- and made regulated insurance companies that were investigated "protected" from the public ever knowing anything about what they were investigated about!
This bill, S.8446/A. 11432 would make these documents exempt from freedom of information laws, disclosure under public officers law, or subpoena.
It's passed through the Senate (with no sponsors, which, according to NYPIRG's Blair Horner, "is how you know a bill really stinks")
Robert questioned this move to let insurance companies count on the results of investigations being kept "confidential" (secret). His post features this bizarre quote from the bill's "justification"-- that justice will be served by making insurance companies less likely to hide malfeasance from the authorities, by ensuring them that the authorities would keep that malfeasance secret from the public.
Regulated persons and other entities are sometimes reluctant to provide the Superintendent with proprietary or other information with respect to an examination, investigation or inquiry for fear that this information may become publicly available pursuant to FOIL, a subpoena, or some other disclosure method. As a result, the Superintendent`s ability to identify potential problems concerning these regulated persons and entities, and to implement plans of corrective action in response thereto, has been hindered. This bill addresses this concern by making correspondence, memoranda and other documents concerning or arising out of an examination, investigation or inquiry presumptively confidential, unless the Superintendent deems disclosure to be in the interest of the policyholders, shareholders or the public.
Wow. Roatti called this in another post a "line in the sand." Righto, Roatti. Now, with 20-20 hindsight, you have to wonder-- what were they working on covering up about AIG?
Think that they didn't know about it? Well, back then, when I called the NYS Dept. of Insurance about this bill, the Deputy Commissioner of Insurance assured me that this move toward a different kind of regulation was absolutely necessary to ensure the competitiveness of NYS in keeping large, multinational insurance companies headquartered in NY. That would be, I assume, AIG. He also referred to a Blueprint for 21st Century Regulation of Financial Services, what was known at the time as the Paulson Plan, which stressed the need to deregulate financial services to maintain "global competitiveness" of US companies. Irony, irony.
Who has been dogging this all along? Don Barber. Check out his hard-hitting news release on the subject-- and Insurance Committee Chair Seward's complicity-- on the flip.
- Paloma Capanna, a candidate who is running arguably the most grassroots campaign in the state against Republican Sen. Michael Nozzolio. Nozzolio has never faced a challenge to his seat in the 54th Senate District.
Each candidate spoke and gave brief remarks (see below the fold). If you listen to anyone's remarks, please listen to Capanna's. She gave the most passionate speech I have ever seen in such a short amount of time about the need to replace these Republicans. I really liked Barber's remarks too considering it was the first I've had the chance to see him in person.
There are few things you won't see in these videos. Something Sen. Smith said really resonated with me, especially during this election season. The Republicans will play the downstate card any chance they get because that's really all they have against the Democrats. Sen. Smith stressed "One New York" during his remarks, some of which you will see on video and some of which weren't recorded.
Democrats are united statewide, whether it's Brian Foley running against Sen. Caesar Trunzo or Joe Mesi running for an open seat here in Western New York. We have real chances to win seats on Long Island, in New York City, retain a key seat in the North Country, win seats in the Southern Tier and pick up a few seats here in Western New York. Having three of our leaders from the Senate who represent New York City districts come to upstate and show their strong support for candidates means a lot. There are a lot of key races up here and they are clearly paying attention.
At the event today, the future majority leader led off things before introducing the candidates:
I really like this from our candidates. Following last week's event here at City hall in NYC, a number of our upstate candidates are holding another event in Rochester. It's a great way to score some free media at a time when interest in these races is really beginning to pick up steam. (And trust me, that interest really is picking up. My server logs don't lie. Google action on these races is through the roof in the last few weeks.)
From an emailed release:
Upstate Democratic Senate Candidates Blast Republicans for Failing New York State
(Rochester, NY) Throughout their 40 years in control of the State Senate, Republicans have failed to meet the needs of working class New Yorkers and revitalize the Upstate economy. With a struggling economy statewide, rising energy costs and crumbling housing market in Upstate communities, New York can no longer afford the unfulfilled promises of Senate Republicans. Democratic candidates for the State Senate are holding a press conference to blast Republicans for failing to make the changes needed to get New York back on track.
Invited:
The Human Rights Campaign, a grassroots organization with over 750,000 members sent one of its most accomplished campaign workers to assist Don Barber (D-Caroline) in his state Senate race against 22-year incumbent. Sen. Jim Seward (R-Milford). As the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where GLBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
Shaneequa Brooks is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Dual Degree in African American Studies and Political Science. She will be assisting Barber's campaign in field operations and student outreach.
Don Barber praised Brooks, as well as Sen. Tom Duane, who brought the Barber campaign to HRC's attention. "Shaneequa Brooks is talented and well-prepared for the job. She has a great academic background, and we're happy to have her onboard. We're grateful to Sen. Duane, who helped initiate the contact between our campaign and HRC."
Participants of the 2008 Campaign College were brought to Washington, DC for an intensive week of hands-on training on how a campaign works. After mastering the basic skills of field organizing, the top 25 races were chosen and the organizers were sent out into the field to work in target races until Election Day.
In a year with many key U.S. Senate and House races, as well as state races throughout the country and of course the battle for the presidency, saying that Barber's race is one of the top 25 in the country. It is also shows how strong of a candidate (and a progressive) Barber is and his position on these issues affecting the GLBT community means that his race is a big target for the HRC.
This is great for Barber. We need a state senator like Don Barber who will fight for upstate and the rural areas as well as carry a progressive message to Albany.
Today, Citizen Action NY released a report documenting how contributions to influential Republican NYS Senators, Senate Leadership and party Committee coffers is allowing insurance companies to jack rates NYers pay, while pocketing record profits.
Now, I'm a cynic when it comes to NYS Legislature's pay-to-play system. But, even I was shocked by this report, titled "The High Cost of "Pay-to-Play": Health Insurance Contributions Drive Up Insurance Rates".
Partly because the dollars contributed were so skewed-- way more to the Republicans in the Senate, who obligingly block legislation from leaving the Insurance Committee, chaired by #1 recipient of largess, Jim Seward. You really owe it to yourself to look at the whole thing. But, if you can't, at least check out the press release here
Here is what I think the money quote is, as to the report:
"Our report suggests that health insurance company campaign contributions explain why rate
regulation and other important health insurance consumer protections are not passing the
Legislature," said Scharff. "We are tired of wondering what matters more, the donors or the voters.
New York State must follow in the footsteps of Connecticut and pass Clean Elections, a voluntary
system of full public financing."
...and then, here is what to do about it:
In 2008, the Assembly passed A.11507, which would create a strong public funding system that would
give candidates four public dollars for every dollar raised in contributions of $250 or less from New
York State residents. Democratic Minority Leader Malcolm Smith of Queens has introduced a full
public funding bill in the State Senate (S.7175A) with 17 co-sponsors. The bill is modeled on a law
passed by Connecticut in 2005 that the New York Times called "an instant model for other
statehouses."
Malcolm's comin' out here to the country for BBQ this Sunday, so, you know he is gonna be hearing about it from me.... me, and fellow Clean Elections fan, Don Barber, no doubt.
Both of our Senators are busy today. Chuck Schumer spent some time campaigning with his former aide Dan Squadron at a senior center in Manhattan today:
And Hillary Clinton has formally endorsed SD-51 challenger Don Barber.
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) threw her support behind Don Barber (D-Caroline) in his run for a seat in the New York State Senate (51stD). Clinton praised Barber's campaign for taking on the special interests and battling for the middle class.
In her statement, Clinton said, "Don Barber is a farmer who knows how to protect our precious environment. He's a businessman who knows how to revitalize the upstate economy. He's running a vibrant, grassroots campaign and taking on the special interests that have blocked health care reform. I know Don Barber will put the interests of middle class, working families first. His voice is sorely needed in the New York State Senate. He has my full support."
Barber thanked Sen. Clinton."I deeply appreciate this support and recognition from Senator Clinton. I am honored to add her endorsement to our list of supporters. This shows the depth and breadth of the excitement our campaign is generating."
I should not that I also got another email from Hillary this morning urging me to vote for Sheldon Silver. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Update: Robinia beat me to the punch below, but I like the fact that we have two Barber posts up.
Most of the attention today is focused on races with primaries, but Don Barber doesn't need a primary opponent to make news. Today, his campaign announced that Senator Hillary Clinton is endorsing him:
Clinton praised Barber's campaign for taking on the special interests and battling for the middle class.
In her statement, Clinton said, "Don Barber is a farmer who knows how to protect our precious environment. He's a businessman who knows how to revitalize the upstate economy. He's running a vibrant, grassroots campaign and taking on the special interests that have blocked health care reform. I know Don Barber will put the interests of middle class, working families first. His voice is sorely needed in the New York State Senate. He has my full support."
Barber thanked Sen. Clinton."I deeply appreciate this support and recognition from Senator Clinton. I am honored to add her endorsement to our list of supporters. This shows the depth and breadth of the excitement our campaign is generating."
Add this heavy-hitter endorsement to the other endorsements that Don has been racking up, like this one and these two, and you can see why people think Barber's campaign is gaining ground.
The economy is a big issue for those in upstate New York and especially for those in the 51st Senate District aka "Abe Lincoln riding a vacuum." Don Barber knows this and today came out with his plan for a new upstate economy.
Speaking in Cortland today, State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) presented his vision for a new upstate economy built on alternative energy industries and a small business revival. Barber hit hard at Sen. Jim Seward's policy of giving tax breaks to big businesses that take taxpayer dollars and fail to produce jobs.
Barber is optimistic that his plan will turn back decades of economic decline. The six-term Town of Caroline Supervisor sees opportunities for an economic comeback in upstate New York if the region builds on its agricultural base and develops solar, wind and biomass industries. A proponent of the "buy local" movement, he also advocates rolling back unfunded mandates to lower property taxes. Driving down property taxes will help residents and small businesses thrive, Barber said.
"A new, vibrant economy is within our grasp. We must buy local and innovate to build the new economy. The real economy isn't a bunch of graphs and numbers. It's our quality of life. It's families and our children," Barber said.
Barber decried Sen. Seward's failed policies, charging the 22-year incumbent is "too cozy with big business." Referring to Sen. Seward's corporate giveaways, Barber added, "Just this year, he and the Republican leadership rejected a proposal to require companies that get tax breaks and then outsource jobs to return that money. It's our hard-earned dollars that he gave away without demanding accountability."
The sky-rocketing cost of health insurance is also depressing the local economy, Barber argued, laying the blame squarely at Sen. Seward's feet. "Jim Seward heads up the Senate Insurance Committee. Since 2001 he has blocked a bill to cap HMO premium increases at 5%. The result? HMO premiums have risen 79% and insurance company profits increased a stunning 93%. The lack of affordable health care is the main reason that small businesses can't start up and farmers are forced to find jobs off the farm."
If we want another "One of Us"-type senators in the New York State Senate, we need to elect Don Barber in SD-51. I think we can do that.
The glow of the Democratic National Convention has captivated us over the past few days... but, closer to home than Denver, newsworthy things have also been happening. On Thursday, here in NY, the nonpartisan NY League of Conservation Voters made their first (and, so far as I can tell from their website, only) endorsement of a candidate for NY State Senate: SD-51 Democratic challenger Don Barber.
Why Barber? Here's what their President, Marcia Bystryn says:
For years, Don Barber has been an intelligent and forward-thinking champion of the environment... Don Barber epitomizes the kind of environmental leadership we need in Albany, and that is why the New York League of Conservation Voters enthusiastically endorses him as the next State Senator from the 51st District.
Don Barber was raised an upstate farmer and Republican. When, a long time ago, he first decided to follow in his father's footsteps and enter public service at the municipal level, he submitted a resume to his local Republican Committee. They decided that his stellar service on our County's Environmental Management Commission was a reason to deny him their support. Don ran anyway, with the support of the Democrats, changed parties.... and the rest is history.
Here's what Don says about the endorsement:
I'm honored to accept the League's endorsement. Preserving our abundant environment for future generations is our most important task. I learned about the importance of protecting our precious environment as a child on our family farm. Advancing this value is the great work of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
And his campaign manager, Tarah Rowse, sums it up this way:
On the environment, as on every other crucial issue, Don Barber will work for us because he's one of us. As a farmer and Town Supervisor, Don Barber stayed close to the land, conserving resources, keeping our water pure, and working on ways to build a new alternative energy economy. Meanwhile, Sen. Seward has been out of touch in Albany the last 22 years.
Learn more about Don Barber and his exemplary record on the environment; also check out his stand on that central issue of governmental reform, Clean Elections.
Then, make a visit to Barber's ActBlue page.
Help take the NY State Senate with leaders who will lead us to a better future!
Don Barber is everywhere in the spread-out, 7-county SD-51 these days, as he takes his energetic grassroots campaign and new ideas straight to the people. I went to Norwich, NY earlier this week to support Congressman Mike Arcuri... and, although Norwich itself is not in SD-51, some of the northern portion of Chenango County is-- and Norwich is the County seat, so, there was Don Barber and supporters, meeting and greeting.
But, Don's campaign is about much more than just meeting people and listening to their concerns. He is also generating ideas for bringing change to NYS government. Otsego and Chenango Counties, like much of the central part of the state, have seen a lot of activity recently from mining companies that are interested in buying mineral rights on rural properties, and then drilling and hydrofracking looking for natural gas. Don called for more environmental impact assessment in the campaign, and Governor Paterson listened and asked the DEC to conduct an assessment and publish a Generic Environmental Impact Statement. That's an excellent first step.... but, then what? Shall we just leave the mining companies to the kind of boom-and-bust economic wave that typically follows natural resource exploitation?
Don has a much better idea-- one that impresses on me again why we need this kind of a leader in the NYS Senate. Check this out...
The United Auto Workers and the Communications Workers of America both endorsed Don Barber (D-Caroline) in his quest to win the 51st state Senate seat today. Barber commented that the unions are close allies in the struggle to improve the quality of life in upstate communities.
"One of the things that always strikes me when I meet with unions like the UAW and the CWA is that they always address each other as brothers and sisters. They are exactly the kind of community supporters who are backing my campaign. They have the right mindset, that we're working together to make our communities better. I'm thrilled to have their support."
Communications Workers of America's members are employed in many different sectors of the economy: telecommunications; health care; higher education; manufacturing; broadcast and cable television; commercial printing and newspapers; state, local, and country government. The union has been a leader in supporting community-labor alliances like Jobs With Justice and New York's Working Families Party.
"Don Barber will shake up Albany and deliver for working people," said Bob Master, Legislative and Political Director for CWA District 1. "Albany is broken and needs fixing on issues that matter, like campaign finance reform, fair taxation and paid family leave. Don Barber is the right person for the job."
This is big time support for Barber. He is deserving of this. He will be a great asset in the Senate for the working citizens of New York.
State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) accepted Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand's strong endorsement today. Rep. Gillibrand (D-Hudson) has made tax cuts for upstate and North Country families one of her highest priorities. She has also authored legislation that would double the tax credit for child care expenses and make up to $10,000 in college tuition tax deductible.
