Issues: Government Operations

Senators Debate Constitution Over Adding 63rd Senate Seat

Politics on the Hudon posted a video of Senator Michael Gianaris and Senator Martin Malave Dilan discussing redistricting and responding to the Senate Republicans' effort to add a 63rd Senate seat.

Watch the video here. 

January 18, 2012
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Senate Dems, GOP Spar Over Constitutionality Of 63rd Seat

Capital Tonight reports on Senate Democrats Martin Malave Dilan, Senator Michael Gianaris, and State Senator Liz Krueger speaking out against the Senate Republicans' unconstitutional addition of a 63rd Senate seat.

If one thing is clear, it’s that Senate Democrats and Republicans understand the complexity of the state constitution when it comes to redrawing district lines. Where they diverge is a matter of mathematics.

Last week, The Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment confirmed the district lines to be drawn for the next round of redistricting would include a 63rd seat. Democrats say the move is politically motivated so Republicans can strategically form lines to retain the majority.

January 18, 2012
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Same Republican tricks

The Timesunion.com editorial calls Senate Republicans out for betraying their promise to voters for an independent redistricting process.

Now here’s a map for you, New York. It’s the entire state, 54,556 square miles in all, every one of them ripe for exploitation by state Senate Republicans who will do seemingly anything to maintain their tiny majority.

First they betrayed all those voters to whom they promised, just 14 months ago, that the district boundaries for the 62 Senate seats up for grabs in this fall’s elections would be drawn by an independent commission.

January 18, 2012
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State Senate’s top Republican predicts addition of 1 member

BuffaloNews.com wrote an article about the redistricting process and the Senate Republican's unreasonable effort to maintain their thin majority, which Senator Gianaris believes is despicable.

Despite the state’s anemic population growth, the Senate’s top Republican said his legislative chamber is likely to grow by one senator, to a total of 63, during this year’s redistricting process.

Senate Democrats immediately dismissed the move as an illegal bid by the Republicans merely to maintain their thin majority. Senate Republicans pushed through a similar one-seat increase 10 years ago to help keep control of the Senate.

[...]

January 18, 2012
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Gianaris: Republicans 'decided to play chicken with the governor' on redistricting

Capital NY wrote an editorial that talks about Governor Cuomo's position on independent redistricting. Although Cuomo did not address redistricting in his State of the State speech, Senator Gianaris states that Cuomo didn't have to because he has already been very clear in his support of an independent redistricting process.

Governor Andrew Cuomo didn't talk about redistricting in his State of the State speech Thursday in Albany.

Democratic state senator Michael Gianaris, who has been perhaps the loudest and longest-standing advocate of redistricting reform in the legislature (where it is generally not popular), said Cuomo didn't have to.

January 18, 2012
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Cuomo's State Address May Touch On Budget Gap, Expanded Gambling

This NY1 video includes comments from Senator Gianaris on how Senate Republicans are attempting to submit an unconstitutional plan to add a 63rd Senate seat. 

Watch the video here.

January 18, 2012
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Governor Launches New Interactive Website

NYGetInvolved.com will Bring New Yorkers Together to Learn about the Governor's Agenda and to Help Inform the Public about the Latest on Key Initiatives

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today launched a new interactive website as part of his campaign to build a new New York. The website – www.NYGetInvolved.com – will bring New Yorkers together to learn about the Governor's agenda and to help inform the public about the latest on key initiatives.

January 18, 2012
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SENATOR SALAND’S RESPONSE TO THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET

The Governor’s budget revealed both good news and bad news. The bad news is it will be another challenging fiscal year. The good news is the Governor’s budget holds the line on spending and does not raise taxes and fees.

January 17, 2012
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Senator Robach's Remarks on Executive Budget Proposal

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On Tuesday, January 17th, Governor Cuomo announced his 2012-2013 Executive Budget proposal. Click the video link to watch Senator Robach's remarks following the Governor's address.

January 17, 2012
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Senator Seward Comments On Governor's Budget Proposal

ALBANY, 01/17/12 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today commented on Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal:

“The governor’s budget proposal is a sound continuation of last year’s effort to rein in state spending without raising taxes or resorting to new borrowing.  I believe the plan hits close to the mark on a number of my key priorities and provides a solid starting point for this year’s budget discussion.

January 17, 2012
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Governor Cuomo's 2012 Executive Budget and Reform Plan Outlines Vision to Continue Building a New New York

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled his 2012-13 Executive Budget and Reform Plan, which expands on the historic reforms enacted last year to continue building a New New York. As a result of the tough decisions and bipartisan cooperation of the past year, the State is able to close the current deficit without broad cuts, new taxes, fees or gimmicks. In addition, the Governor’s Executive Budget proposes major reforms to reduce the cost of government for taxpayers, implements accountability in our schools to put students first, and puts the State in a position to leverage billions of dollars in private sector investment to grow the economy and create jobs.

January 17, 2012
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Senator Adams welcomes Senator Schumer to the NYS Senate Democratic Conference, where Senator Schumer discussed redistricting.

Senator Adams welcomes Senator Schumer to the NYS Senate Democratic Conference, where Senator Schumer discussed redistricting.

January 17, 2012
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ASTORIA LEADERS FIGHT TO PROTECT RATEPAYERS

Queens, NY – Continuing their efforts to protect energy ratepayers, Senator Michael Gianaris and Council Member Peter F. Vallone, Jr. are pushing a federal judge to reject the proposed settlement for an illegal price-fixing case involving Morgan Stanley and two western Queens power plants that caused ratepayers to lose nearly $300 million in two years.

January 17, 2012
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New Senate seat plan is GOP power play that will cost taxpayers

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle wrote an editorial calling Senate Republicans out on their reneged campaign promises of redistricting reform. Senator Gianaris believes this kind of political power play is intolerable. 

Many of the same Republican state lawmakers who hoodwinked New Yorkers into thinking they supported independent redistricting now insist that adding one more seat in the state Senate is good government. Unlikely.

This time around New Yorkers need to let GOP lawmakers know that their ploy for power is as transparent as plastic wrap. Call them and tell them so.

January 13, 2012
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Seward Touts Keys For Success For 2012

ONEONTA, 01/12/12 – In media conferences across his district kicking off the 2012 session of the New York State Senate, State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) opened up his legislative playbook and detailed his “Keys for Success.”   Seward’s game plan focuses on economic development, mandate relief, reform of the education aid formula, and continued flood recovery assistance.

January 12, 2012
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Senator Robach's Legislative Update January 10, 2012

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As the New York State Senate wrapped up their first week of session in 2012, Senator Robach was a guest on Legislative Update. During his appearance, Senator Robach discussed Governor Andrew Cuomo's State of the State Address and the direction of the New York State Senate for 2012.

January 11, 2012
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Senator Kennedy Calls Senate Republicans’ Plan to Increase the Size of the Senate ‘Government Waste’, ‘Political Ploy’

ALBANY, N.Y. – Senator Timothy M. Kennedy, D-58th District, called Senate Republicans’ proposal to increase the size of the Senate a clear example of “government waste” and a “hypocritical political ploy” intended to serve the Republican Majority politicians at the expense of New York taxpayers.

January 10, 2012
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