A reader writes in about our post on the Democrat and Chronicle piece on Joe Robach's and Jim Alesis's use of taxpayer-funded mailers:
The story was interesting and useful, and credits go to Jill Terreri (the writer) and the D&C for running it, but it was incomplete -- as was the quote in this post. The $35k she mentioned being spent by Alesi was, she said, the figure from October 2007 through March 2008. That's only a 6-month period, and NOT during campaign season. The problem is the mailers sent in the last 60 days, during his campaign, which we estimate cost taxpayers at least $100k, and more likely closer to $200.
The core problem is actually even bigger and more complicated than just mailings. The Senate runs pretty much like a Republican reelection machine. The internal rules for taxpayer funded mailings, which change frequently and are almost impossible to find in writing, are skewed heavily in favor of Republican incumbents.
The abuses extend into other campaign areas. Here's a little-known anecdote that I heard from sources unnamed that indicates how the machinery can work. In the 2006 campaign to defend Republican incumbent Nick Spano in SD-35, Senator Bruno, who controlled the purse strings, authorized an abrupt upsizing in Spano's staff, the hiring of an additional 18 staffers, who were then sent into the field as canvassers. Spano, if I understand the data correctly, won reelection by 418 votes.
It would be extremely interesting to track the staffing levels for incumbents on a month to month basis, and map it against the reelection campaign cycles.
And of course, that's not to mention member item handouts, no doubt all to good causes. These are actually a major, crucial tool in the "reelection machine" toolbox. Who's going to vote against Santa Claus?
This is the latest ad from Rick Dollinger's campaign. It's a very positive ad and shows how Rick will be "working for you" when he heads back to Albany.
Over at Rochester Turning, there had some consternation about a dearth of Rick Dollinger yard signs. I hope they finally got them and everything, but I really, really like the site of these ones. In a district that Obama is leading McCranky by better than 2-1, it makes me extremely happy to see Obama and Dollinger's name together at every possible opportunity.
If you live in Joe Robach's district, you've been receiving a few mailers each week from the State Senator over the past month. And you may have noticed that some of these mailers are marked "paid for by the New York State Senate." Because in New York, State Senators can send out mailers on the tax-payer's dime until 30 days before the election. Here's the the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle on this:
The cost of the mailings isn't clear. The latest government expenditure reports from state lawmakers, available on the Empire Center Web site, cover October 2007 to March 2008. During that time, Sen. Joseph Robach, R-Greece, spent $64,654 in state funds and Sen. James Alesi, R-Perinton, spent $35,666 on mailings.
A mailing sent during the last two weeks from Robach touts "Senator Joe Robach's Job Creation Plan" and states, "Senator Robach wants to slash taxes to make businesses more competitive and to bring new jobs here." The full-color mailer was printed and mailed at taxpayer expense.
Robach has sent out at least five such mailings this year, on topics ranging from property taxes to lead poisoning to education.
This is yet another example of the absurd ways in which New York State Legislators are able to milk the advantage of incumbency. And like most of the other examples, it involves wasting tax-payers money.
This has been talked about in the past and was made official today at a fundraiser for Dollinger. Paterson was on hand and gave a very glowing endorsement of Dollinger:
"New York is at a turning point," said Paterson. "Today I have the distinct honor of endorsing a dear friend, and a tried and true advocate of Monroe County for the State Senate. We as Democrats now have a tremendous opportunity before us. This is going to be a challenging election and there is a lot of work we need to do to turn back decades of failed economic policies. But Rick Dollinger has the vision we need and he will be my partner in moving New York forward.
"When I served with Rick in the Senate, he was a leader in our conference and forced the Republicans to take up important issues like raising the minimum wage and expanding health care services," Paterson continued. "He always put people first and never hesitated to take a stand on important issues like increasing access to affordable healthcare, protecting a woman's right to choose, and giving New Yorkers a more open, accountable government."
In conclusion Paterson said, "To get this economy back on track, lower taxes, and create new, good paying jobs, we need real leadership. I have no doubt that Rick Dollinger will deliver for Monroe County and in the Senate will be leading the charge that will put our state on the right path forward."
Dollinger served in the Senate from 1992 to 2002 alongside Paterson, who served in the Senate until 2006 when he ran alongside Eliot Spitzer for Lieutenant Governor. The rest, of course, is history.
Last night I wrote about Christa Construction's big contributions to Sen. Joe Robach and other Republican state senate candidates. Now the Republicans are spinning this story by saying that not only has Christa Construction given to the Monroe County Democrats, but Robach's Democratic challenger Rick Dollinger has accepted money from George Soros.
Democratic State Senate candidate Richard Dollinger demanded Thursday that his incumbent opponent Joseph Robach, R-Greece, and his Senate Republican colleagues return more than $74,000 in campaign contributions from Christa Construction, the construction manager of a botched $120 million capital renovations project at the Greece Central School District completed in 2005.
Dollinger's campaign said Robach received $1,850 in contributions from Christa over the past six years, while other GOP Senators received $48,450 and the Senate Republican Campaign Committee received $24,000.
"The message, it seems to me, is very clear," Dollinger said Thursday outside Longridge Elementary School in Greece. "Senate Republicans and Joe Robach need to give back this ill-gotten taxpayer money to the town of Greece and the taxpayers in this community."
A spokesperson for the Senate Republican Campaign Committee criticized Dollinger's demands Thursday.
"It's clearly the height of hypocrisy since this same firm has been giving major contributions to the Monroe County Democratic Campaign Committee, as well as to local leaders of the Democratic Party like Mayor Duffy and Assemblyman Morelle," said Joe Conway, campaign committee spokesperson.
According to records filed with the state Board of Elections, the Monroe County Democratic Party received $7,250 from Christa in six contributions since October 2006. Christa's most recent contribution to the county Democratic party was in July 2007, records show.
If Soros is the best one you can come up with because he's for "drug legalization," I take it the Republicans and Joe Robach don't have a rebuttal to taking money from a construction company that robbed Greece blind. An audit of the Greece School District earlier this year by the Comptroller's office showed that there was a pattern of waste and abuse, especially when it came to capital projects.
As for the money that was given to the Monroe County Democrats, the point is that Dollinger has not received a penny from Christa Construction. Joe Robach has. Plus, the Republicans have benefited greatly from Christa Construction's money. Jim Alesi has been a recipient. Michael Nozzolio (SD-54) has been a recipient, among others. If Joe Robach cared about his home base of Greece so much, he would have defended his home school district and defended his hometown from this waste and abuse.
Instead, Joe Robach was bought and paid for and kept his mouth shut. That's not the type of representation the people of Greece and the 56th Senate District need.
The taxpayers of Greece know who Christa Construction is. Christa Construction profited from a botched renovation venture valued at $119.5 million. In all, Christa Construction made over $5.3 million from the deal.
So why does all this matter? Ask Sen. Joe Robach and the Senate Republicans. Today, Robach was called out by his Democratic opponent Rick Dollinger in a press conference where Dollinger called on Robach to return the contributions he has received from Christa Construction.
From the press release:
Democratic State Senate candidate Rick Dollinger today was joined by Greece taxpayers who slammed Robach and the Republicans, and demanded that these contributions be returned immediately.
Dollinger explained, "People can tell when someone is speaking out of both sides of their mouth, and that is exactly what Joe Robach and his Republican cronies are doing by taking this money and condoning this kind of unethical behavior. Robach and the Senate GOP must return this tainted money-particularly as our neighbors are working so hard to recoup these wasted funds." Today's event came days after citizens' groups filed an audit request with Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office as part of their financial recuperation effort.
Christa was originally set to profit $3,999,400.00 for serving as contractor, but actually pocketed an additional $1,375,761.00.
So far, Christa Construction (through Christa Construction, LLC., Christa Development Corp. and David Christa) has donated more than $24,000 in recent years to the Senate Republican Campaign Committee (SRCC). An additional $50,300 was given to Senate Republicans, including $1,850 directly to Robach whose campaign coffers have been filled with $143,900 from the SRCC for this year's election.
For the record, not a single contribution has been made by Christa Construction to Dollinger or the Senate Democrats.
So why is this important? Here is a company being accused of robbing taxpayers of their money and who are they giving to? The Senate Republicans. Other Republicans have been on the receiving end of contributions from Christa Construction as well, but obviously the impact on Greece makes for an interesting story in SD-56.
Rochester, NY - October 8, 2008 - New York Senator Hillary Clinton announced her endorsement of Democrat Rick Dollinger for the New York State Senate in the 56th Senatorial District today.
"Voters in Monroe County know that our state faces the tough challenge of rebuilding our middle class, creating a healthcare system that is accessible to all, improving and safeguarding our children's education, and remedying the dysfunction in Albany," said Senator Clinton. "Rick Dollinger possesses the integrity, vision, and know-how to create real change in Albany and deliver results for our community."
"We are at a turning point, the stakes are high, and New York cannot afford to fail. This election is of paramount importance, and it will require all of our strength, energy, and passion in order to elect a new Democratic Majority in the State Senate," explained Clinton. "Together, we can accomplish this goal, and through it we will make New York state great again."
"I am honored to have Senator Clinton's support as we fight to move forward New York State forward," said Dollinger. "Senator Clinton demonstrates the caliber of leadership that is so desperately needed all across our nation and she's an invaluable asset to our progress here in New York.
Senator Clinton's endorsement comes at a time when the state's top leaders and officials are mobilizing behind Dollinger as he continues to build an unprecedented level of local and statewide support. Democrats are fighting to take back the State Senate majority for the first time in over 40 years. On Friday, October 10th Governor David Paterson will be in Rochester to host a fundraiser and make his endorsement of Dollinger official.
I don't normally like to run full press releases but when they involve someone who got 18 million votes in a presidential primary, I make an exception.
Rick Dollinger unveiled his new economic plan. I'll put up the details as soon as I figure out how to upload a word doc here. For now, here's the outline from the press release.
The plan is divided between the ideas of innovation and reform:
INVESTING IN INNOVATION:
· Form a Green Jobs Investment Fund for Rochester. Rochester could become the Silicon Valley of renewable energy as our nation transitions from foreign oil to more sustainable forms of energy such as fuel cells, bio-fuels, and solar panels. Our region has the advantage of top-flight research institutions with a highly skilled industrial workforce, and testing has begun already. Rick Dollinger proposes a Green Jobs Investment Fund that jointly uses public and private investments to start up new research projects and build the manufacturing facilities necessary to bring the newest generation of jobs to Rochester.
· Create an Emerging Technologies Research Institute. Our region must continue its reputation of leading the world in the study and development of new technologies. Our research facilities will allow Rochester to take the lead on development of new technologies with will cure diseases, improve urban infrastructures, and develop technologies marketable worldwide. This institute will establish education majors, programs, and research facilities in a collaboration of state and private investment with Rochester area universities. Major areas of study could include stem cell therapy, water purification, and waste management.
· Form a New York "PRIDE" Authority (Public Roads, Infrastructure, Development, and Efficiency) by combining the NYS Thruway Authority, NYS Bridge Authority and NYS Department of Transportation. The PRIDE Authority would be charged with creating jobs via projects to improve New York's aging transportation infrastructure and maintenance operations. The projects undertaken by this agency would provide a substantial number of good paying jobs to the region, which would be partially paid for by combining three authorities with similar missions into a single entity with legislative oversight.
REFORMING FAILED STATE POLICIES:
· Prohibit Tax Breaks to Companies that Outsource Jobs. New York State has continued to provide tax breaks to companies even after they have outsourced jobs. These tax breaks come largely from incentives offered by Empire Zones and Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs). Dollinger proposes a ban on any tax break given to companies that ship jobs overseas and a requirement that all aid be tied to the number of new living wage jobs actually created in the region.
· Opening New York for Business. Businesses have left our region as New York has done little to curb out-of-control spending or reduce the property taxes that force businesses to move away. Rick Dollinger supports reducing the property tax burden through a property tax cap and supports a constitutional amendment to cap state spending at the rate of inflation. Reducing state deficits and fighting wasteful spending allows New York to demonstrate a willingness to open its doors to good paying jobs once again.
There's been talk for weeks about some sort of overt support by the Governor for SD-56 challenger Rick Dollinger. Now CapCon is reporting that it will indeed happen.
Gov. David Paterson will attend a fundraiser for former Sen. Rick Dollinger, who is running against Republican incumbent Sen. Joe Robach.
The fundraiser is currently being organized by the Dollinger campaign, and Paterson will attend, confirmed state Democratic Party spokeswoman Carly Lindauer.
Paterson has said publicly that Dollinger is a friend and that helping him is an exception to his rule of not being overtly partisan in the fight for the Senate majority.
Paterson has attended fundraisers for other Senate Democrats - namely Eric Schneiderman and Liz Krueger, but this is the first fundraiser for a Senate challenger in a contested race against a Republican incumbent.
While I'm glad that the Governor seems to finally be coming out for candidates of his own party, I'm still a bit dismayed by the fact that it's expected of him not to do so. When did it become taboo for a sitting governor to support his own party's candidates? Why is it expected that Paterson shouldn't advocate for those challengers that share his views and will help pass the legislation to realize them?
Before Bush's presence became utterly toxic, he regularly would stump for GOP candidates. Ditto that for Clinton or loads of other Executives. Why is it expected that Paterson should do differently? Am I missing something?
The Dollinger campaign has new ad up. I think it's a good one.
It is interesting to see the word "values" used by Democrats after so many years of being an almost exclusively Republican term. It fits perfectly here: Joe Robach is a right-wing Republican representing a progressive district. Dollinger's values are much more in line with those of the district.
Someone is polling the SD-56 race according to the good folks at Rochester Turning.
I was just polled in the Dollinger/Robach senate race. Only 4 questions...
1. What is the most important issue facing NY? Economy, high taxes, health card, education, gas prices or the cost of living
2. How would you describe yourself...Liberal, moderate or conservative? (The first time she asked the question, she said would you consider yourself liberal or conservative? I asked if those were the only choices and she reread it, adding moderate as a choice.
3. Is change or experience more important to you in selecting a candidate?
4. If the election were held today, who would I vote for, Dollinger or Robach?
Already two readers at RT have come forward to say that they have been polled. I'm curious to know if anyone else out there has gotten this call.
In light of the recent findings by NYPIRG regarding the New York State Legislature and the bills that were passed and introduced by New York State legislators, Rick Dollinger came out today to express his strong support for implementing the Brennan Center report's recommendations, which is something he has talked about throughout the campaign.
"From the Brennan Center report to the most recent study done by NYPIRG, the New York State legislature is universally recognized as the most dysfunctional in the nation," said Dollinger. "But this isn't new information. These reports were common knowledge eight years ago, and Republicans in the State Senate haven't even taken the baby steps needed to make things better, like requiring legislators to read the bills they pass, to be in the chamber when they vote, or to allow bills to get to the floor that aren't rubber stamped by the majority leader."
"It's ludicrous to think that Joe Robach will fix a problem that he has supported for his entire career in Albany. For the past 40 years, New York State has been marred by the failed policies of the State Senate Republicans, who have stalled at every turn, and have been the number one road block to passing a critical economic reform package," continued Dollinger. "Republican Joe Robach isn't a reformer. He's a rubber stamp for the 'three men in a room' model."
In the State Senate Rick Dollinger will fight to enact the recommendations of the 2004 Brennan Center for Justice's report on New York's legislative process. Once elected, Rick will address five areas that require immediate reforms - legislative committees, barriers to new legislation, legislative rules, the lack of transparency within the legislative process, and legislative inefficiencies and high costs.
Dollinger spoke on reforming Albany earlier this month at a town hall meeting without Joe Robach. As a refresher, here are the videos of Dollinger talking about reforming Albany and his emphasis on the Brennan Center report.
A reliable source tells me that the NYSDC has been making media buys for Dollinger with money that was raised by Governor Paterson. Paterson has reportedly encouraged the NYSDC to make these buys because of a belief that this race is winnable and that Dollinger will be a strong advocate of the governor's reform agenda.
The Siena polls released today have created quite the buzz. No one said this New York State Senate fight would be easy, but it certainly is quite intriguing. These polls showed that these races are going to be very competitive in some places and not-so competitive in others.
But how seriously should we take these polls? Let's use this disclaimer from the poll to get this analysis started:
These SRI surveys were conducted from September 11-17, 2008 by telephone calls to likely registered voters in each State Senate district. For the 3rd SD, 405 voters were called, with a margin of error of + 4.9 percentage points. For the 7th SD, 402 voters were called, margin of error + 4.9. For the 15th SD, 401 voters were called, margin of error + 4.9. For the 48th SD, 437 voters were called, margin of error + 4.7. For the 56th SD, 429 voters were called, margin of error + 4.7. For the 61st SD, 450 voters were called, margin of error + 4.6. Data was statistically adjusted by respondent age - and in the 3rd SD, party - to match likely voters.
Phillip mentioned the high margin of error earlier. I would also like to point out that only 400-plus voters were surveyed in each district. That is a very small sample when you take into consideration how many voters each senate district contains.
There also some questions I had after looking at the crosstabulations for each poll. Take SD-56's crosstabs, for example. Sen. Joe Robach had a favorable rating in Greece/Parma of 71 percent. That is Robach's turf, but 71 percent still seems high to me considering Rick Dollinger had a 56 percent favorable rating on his turf in Brighton. Those numbers tell me that when they conducted this poll and especially when they called voters in Greece, they called more Republicans than Democrats. That Greece/Parma portion of the poll just seems to be inflated to me. This race isn't a double-digit race. We are talking single-digits, if not a dead heat.
The SD-3 crosstabs also boggle my mind. Trunzo is viewed favorably by 54 percent of Democrats? Really? That seems very high to me, especially since this guy is in hiding somewhere. Also, Trunzo is viewed more favorably than Brian Foley in Foley's hometown of Brookhaven. That doesn't sound right to me. And Trunzo is viewed more favorably among people ages 18 to 34? I'll have to take you word for it.
I will echo what Phillip said earlier and that is take these results with a grain of salt. Overall, I think SD-15 and SD-61 are about right. It would make sense that both of those races are tied at the moment. I do think SD-3 is much closer than that and I would even bet Foley is leading. The SD-56 poll also doesn't show how close that race truly is. Again, it depends on your sample. If your sample leans one way or another, that's the way the poll will lean. I'm not accusing Siena of anything (they do great work there) but the sample you have is the sample you work with.
What the Siena polls did tell us today is that we have a fight on our hands. But it also gave the Republicans a nice warning shot across the bow. We are coming for them with everything we have. To think, we could have four races (SD-3, SD-15, SD-56 and SD-61) in play and the Republicans are spending their resources in two races (SD-7 and SD-48) where our incumbent senators are up by double-digits.
November 4 is going to be very, very good for us. But we still need to work hard. There are other races throughout the state we should keep an eye on and work just as hard in. This election is ours for the taking. So let's take it.
As a result of those polls coming out today, some of the candidates or their campaigns have come out with statements regarding the results.
Brian Foley's campaign (SD-3): "The voters of Islip and Brookhaven are tired of skyrocketing property taxes and the failed economic policies of the Albany status quo, and no amount of misleading and negative attack ads will change that. We are not surprised that a majority of voters do not want Caesar Trunzo to represent them in Albany any longer - after 36 years of dysfunction, voters are hungry for change."
Senator Craig Johnson's campaign strategist Evan Stavisky (SD-7): "The results of this poll are a reflection of Senator Johnson's tireless efforts on behalf of Nassau's residents. He will continue to fight for real tax relief and to help New York state get back on the right track, just as he helped bring Nassau County back from the brink of fiscal crisis."
Rick Dollinger's campaign response (SD-56): "We always knew that this was going to be a close race. And, after spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars trying to hide from his anti-choice, pro-gun record Republican incumbent Joe Robach, who won his 2006 re-election bid with 70% of the vote has plummeted 21% to a point where less than 50% of the public wants to see him back in Albany. Monroe County voters have demonstrated that they are fed up with failed Republican economic policies and are ready for a change. The numbers in Monroe County clearly show that voters overwhelmingly support a shift in the State Senate to Democratic control and are ready to send someone to Albany who shares their beliefs and values."
Joe Mesi's campaign (SD-61): "We don't put a lot of stock in polls, but this confirms what really matters: every day, Joe Mesi is meeting Western New Yorkers who are rallying to his plans for real change for our future. With rising concerns about jobs and the economy, voters are telling Mesi they want new solutions, not more of the same failed policies of the past."
I will have more of analysis later. There is more than meets the eye with some of the results, particularly in SD-56.
