Republican candidates to address Tea Party rally?

by: simonstl

Sun Apr 18, 2010 at 08:59:21 AM EDT

At the end of a piece in the Daily Star about a the Norwich tax day protest, I find:

Later Thursday, Chuck Pinkey of Otego said another Tea Party Protest will be held at River Valley New Holland in Otego on Saturday, April 24.

Among those to speak that Saturday will be state Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, and two Republican congressional candidates, Richard Hanna of Barneveld and Christopher Gibson of Kinderhook, he said.

I'll be curious to see how this balancing act goes.

AIG Failure, Seward's Complicity In Insurance Company Shenanigans, Barber Demands Answers

by: robinia

Fri Oct 03, 2008 at 09:38:11 AM EDT

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.

The High Cost of "Pay-to-Play": Health Insurance Contributions Drive Up Insurance Rates

by: robinia

Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 18:01:26 PM EDT

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.

Money Matters-- Now's the Time Barber Needs Your Help!

by: robinia

Wed Jul 09, 2008 at 13:42:54 PM EDT

While Golisano throws his weight and money around in an "uncoordinated" effort to help whomever he likes best, and Spitzer contributes a big 5K (is that half a date w/his high-end whores?) to the Upstate Rural Caucus (as per Robert's post below), the true reformers are out there on their own.  They have only us to depend on, because they will only speak for us.

Please read this appeal from Barber Campaign Strategist Amy Little (yeah, she is the one who worked with the Hall campaign when the establishment Dems didn't think he stood a chance, either).  She makes an excellent case for how helping Don Barber make it is important for any reform-minded NYer.  More follows from the Communications Director.  They need our help-- cash in whatever increment you can manage this week-- but, also to get the word out.  We are up against a lot-- let's all pull together now!

Dear Fellow Take New Yorkers:

In NY's 51 district, Don Barber is running against Republican Jim Seward, Bruno's Majority Whip, Chair of the Insurance Committee, who has gone unopposed for 22 years and gets most of his money from the insurance industry. Needless to say, if we want to advance health care issues in NY, we need to get rid of Seward.

Don is a true progressive. A farmer, successful small business owner, and 6-term Town Supervisor, Don is an amazing person with unequivocal integrity, honesty and openness. He is running another one of those exciting grassroots campaigns and depends on those individuals who understand the need for change to help.

This Friday, July 11 (just 2 days from now), is the close of the fundraising period for NY state candidates. Please consider making a contribution before Friday at http://barberforsenate.com. Know that your contribution will help win a campaign that is running against an entrenched Republican with big bucks from the Insurance Industry, which also has big bucks.

Just think, you can participate in getting rid of the Republican iron fist in NY and the Insurance Industry's best friend in the Senate, as well as advance any issue you care about, by helping get Don Barber elected.

Several Take NY'ers are helping in one way or another on this campaign because taking this seat will powerfully disrupt the business as usual in New York's policy making.

Anyone else want to comment about Don Barber?

Amy Little

Don Barber believes that taking money from the insurance industry while chairing the Senate Insurance Committee is unethical, plain and simple. By blocking regulation of HMO rates, Seward has allowed rates to rise 79% since 2001. Think of how much money Jim Seward has made for the insurance companies in that time, and how much the suffering of New Yorkers has increased as a result. This is about ethics, but it's also about believing that health care is a human right, not something the well-off can buy while the rest of us are denied care every day.

Don is fighting for all of us, and he deserves our support.

Do it now, ActBlue, or the Barber website

Letterhead cancels fundraiser - but still some good news

by: simonstl

Sun Jun 01, 2008 at 08:34:54 AM EDT

This one is kind of a sad one, but reminds us that the division between governing and politics is complicated:

First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson stumbled in her first foray into the fight for the Senate majority, mixing politics and governance by putting a fundraiser invitation on state letterhead.

Paige Paterson was scheduled to headline a June 24 Manhattan fundraiser for Democratic Senate candidate and family friend Don Barber, who is running against Sen. James Seward in the 51st Senate District. Barber is currently Caroline Town Supervisor in Tompkins County, a businessman, and a farmer.

In the invitation, Paige Paterson said, in part: "This is the kind of leadership we need in New York. I know you will agree with me that our 'blue' state should be led by a Democratic Senate, and Don's campaign will help us achieve that goal."

Printing the invitation on state letterhead was "absolutely something that should not have happened. And the event has been canceled," said Erin Duggan, a spokeswoman for Gov. David Paterson.

"It was an honest mistake," she added.

The good news: the fund-raiser will be rescheduled, and its very existence shows that maybe the truce is limited to recruiting, and not to campaigning. The story also points out some positive implications for the race in the 51st:

The Barber event, had it gone forward, would have included on its attendee list state Democratic Chair June O'Neill, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, and a number of Democratic senators.

While the Barber race is not currently considered in the top tier of competitive Senate races, the attendee list indicates there is high-level party interest in it.

We definitely need change here in the 51st, and it's good to hear that the party is aware of that.

Do you know how your legislator voted today?

by: simonstl

Fri Mar 30, 2007 at 12:44:53 PM EDT

[Cross-posted from Living in Dryden. I'd love to see people across the state write their legislators about this. It seems awfully simple.]

It's possible that I'm missing something, but I've looked and asked and not found any sign that roll calls for votes on bills are available online for either the New York State Assembly or the New York State Senate.

Insider Trading?

by: teaparty2

Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 00:40:56 AM EST

Among the thousands of member items listed in the Senate's Community Project Fund, labeled as Round 1 of '06/'07, is one that Senator Seward secured for purposes of replacing and improving sidewalks in a town in his sprawling 51st District.

This particular member item of $25,000 went to the Town of Oneonta, with the form showing Town Supervisor, Duncan Davie, under the "Program Contact Information" heading.   This same Duncan Davie also serves as Senator Seward's Chief of Staff. 

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