1199 Continues Down the Republican Dead-End

by: Roatti

Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 23:07:26 PM EDT

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East will announce their endorsement of incumbent State Senator Serphin Maltese for re-election tomorrow...

(snip)

Depending on what 1199 will do for Maltese, this could be very helpful to the incumbent senator. There are many hospitals and health care workers  in the district, and 1199 is not scarce of resources - both in terms of dollars and manpower.

Yes, that's Serph Maltese, the ultra conservatve Republican from Queens.  As usual,
Bouldin puts it best:

EFCA (the Employee Free Choice Act) will create a massive unionization wave among workers at strictly anti-union companies such as Wal-Mart. However, to effectively work, it will need to be accompanied by state-level legislation that expands on and clarifies the meaning of the Act in accordance with the local state-level legal framework. In New York, where we already have strong 9and very territorial) unions, that's not going to be uncontentious.

But what would be catastrophic is having Joe Robach, of Rochester, still sitting as chair of the Senate Labor Committee. His Democratic successor would be Diane Savino, a former high-level union organizer and one of the strongest voices for labor in the state. A Democratic Senate would act on behalf of labor; a republican Senate will not.

Thank God at least one SEIU local isn't wandering around in circles.

Joe Addabbo for State Senate

SD-15: Maltese Releases Hypocritical "Tough on Crime" Ad

by: Roatti

Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 00:12:28 AM EDT

The ad is supposed to highlight Maltese's "tough on crime" stances. It starts with some really predictable and dry reactionary babbling about the ACLU and, gasp, public defenders- as if we should just do away with this annoying, inconvenient liberal crap.

The ad then talks about Maltese sponsoring a couple of anti-crime bills, like cracking down on sexual predators.

But the real issue with Maltese is that his voting record on guns is more like Sam Brownback than someone who should be representing a district in Queens, NYC.  

The good people at GunFreeKids.org just came out with a rap sheet on Mr. Maltese, highlighting his recent sycophancy to the gun lobby:

In 2008, Sen. Maltese declined an opportunity to sponsor legislation to assist law enforcement in their efforts to solve gun-related crimes.  The legislation, passed by the Assembly as A.9819-A), would mandate that all new semi-automatic pistols manufactured, sold or brought into New York State be equipped with microstamping technology to aid law enforcement in solving gun-related crimes.

Further back, he also had these atrocious votes:

1997 (S.5498) 5-year renewable handgun permits for Westchester County. Supported by GunFreeKids

Maltese voted NO         (bill passed Senate and signed into law)

1998 (S.397) Would make it easier to obtain a concealed carry weapon permit. Opposed by GunFreeKids

Maltese Voted YES         (bill passed by the Senate only)

2000 (S.8234) Nine measures, including assault weapons ban, ballistic imaging, closing of gun show loophole, age 21 to possess or own handgun, safety locks to be sold with all guns and 24 hour reporting of all lost & stolen guns.    Supported by GunFreeKids

Maltese, only member of NYC delegation to VOTE NO (bill passed by both houses and signed into law)

Sen. Maltese's desperation is only matched by his shamelessness.  To have a voting record like this, which time and again has handicapped law enforcement's efforts to stop the traffic of illegal guns and identify criminals who use guns for crime, and then lie to his constituents about being tough on crime is the kind of rediculous crap that he shouldn't be allowed to get away with anymore.  When it comes to crime, not only is Mr. Maltese weak and two-sided, he is also way, way out of touch with his district.  For shame, Senator.  

On the web:

Joseph Addabbo Actblue page (come on, Joe- it's high time to be having your website up)

Albert Baldeo for State Senate  

SD-15: 30-year Incumbent Maltese Actually Brags About Having 45%

by: Roatti

Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 00:21:46 AM EDT

Also in Republican "reality," a 30-year incumbent State Senator who is polling 45% in his district has reason to be happy because that is better than expected.

In case you're curious about what the complete poll reveals that in a 3-way matchup between Maltese, D-Councilman Addabbo, and D/I Albert Baldeo, the numbers are 45%-18%-3%, respectively.  

And on top of this, the poll assumes that Baldeo does lose the Democratic primary and runs as an independent.  

Further on top of this, this poll was conducted by John McLaughlin & Associates, which is a Republican firm, and we all know that partisan firms on both sides choose selective sample criteria that make their respective candidates look better.  

AND, 35% of voters are undecided in a district where there are roughly 72,000 Democrats to roughly 30,000 Republicans.  And did I mention that there will be presidential-year election turnout in a very blue city?

If this poll indicates anything, it's that Serph's up.  

Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Senator.