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Showing posts with label State Assembly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label State Assembly. Show all posts
Friday, April 1, 2016
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
ALBANY -- Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, R-Clarence, joined members of the Assembly Minority Conference in panning the budget process which led to lawmakers voting on portions of the 2016-17 State Budget in the middle of the night.
In her remarks, made on a budget bill (A.9009-C, Revenue Article VII Budget) presented at 12:45 a.m., Corwin called out Gov. Cuomo for "trying to control the legislative process" and reminded lawmakers about "the importance of having three separate branches of government," with the press as the fourth estate.
Corwin's comments can be see on YouTube here (link).
Legislative leaders and Cuomo agreed to a bill Thursday night that calls for a $96.2 billion 2016-2017 spending plan.
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| Jane Corwin |
In her remarks, made on a budget bill (A.9009-C, Revenue Article VII Budget) presented at 12:45 a.m., Corwin called out Gov. Cuomo for "trying to control the legislative process" and reminded lawmakers about "the importance of having three separate branches of government," with the press as the fourth estate.
Corwin's comments can be see on YouTube here (link).
Legislative leaders and Cuomo agreed to a bill Thursday night that calls for a $96.2 billion 2016-2017 spending plan.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
Monday, July 20, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
KNOWLESVILLE – New York State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley will call on the Assembly majority to pass a bill that would prevent further closure of bridges over the Erie Canal and other canals within New York State.
Ortt and Hawley will discuss the negative impacts and hardships of a closed or restricted canal bridge this afternoon when several others will join them in front of the Knowlesville Lift Bridge, which could face closure in the near future.
The legislation (S.2658-A/A.7242-A) would close unreasonable loopholes in the canal law and hold New York State responsible for maintaining and repairing canal infrastructure before canal bridges and lift bridges fall into disrepair and are forced to close. The bill has passed in the state Senate, but currently sits idle in the Assembly.
news@eastniagarapost.com
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| Rob Ortt |
Ortt and Hawley will discuss the negative impacts and hardships of a closed or restricted canal bridge this afternoon when several others will join them in front of the Knowlesville Lift Bridge, which could face closure in the near future.
The legislation (S.2658-A/A.7242-A) would close unreasonable loopholes in the canal law and hold New York State responsible for maintaining and repairing canal infrastructure before canal bridges and lift bridges fall into disrepair and are forced to close. The bill has passed in the state Senate, but currently sits idle in the Assembly.
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Friday, June 19, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
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ALBANY -- State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, issued a statement shortly after midnight on his thoughts on his first legislative session since as a state senator.
He said there were highs and lows in the state's capitol and took the Democrat-led state Assembly and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to task.
Ortt's statement follows in its entirety:
news@eastniagarapost.com
He said there were highs and lows in the state's capitol and took the Democrat-led state Assembly and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to task.
Ortt's statement follows in its entirety:
I’ve seen the best and the worst of government throughout my first legislative session. There have been true victories for the people of New York. We prioritized Upstate through billion dollar investments in education, infrastructure, economic development programs, energy, and agriculture. We increased critical services to veterans returning from combat, children without adequate health care, women subjected to rape and domestic violence, victims of mental illness, and individuals and families affected by disabilities. Stricter measures against drug dealers and sex offenders will keep our families and communities safe.
“But I’ve also seen a debilitating ethical cloud hang over Albany and extreme political posturing paralyze the work of the people. The Governor threatened to shut down government unless legislators accepted his divisive education proposals. When legislators and small businesses raised concerns over his attempts to increase employee wages, the Governor decided to shun legislative compromise and instead deferred to an executive-controlled wage board.
“We also saw the Assembly and Governor walk away from important discussions on education, jeopardize the cap on property taxes, and common sense reforms to the unconstitutional SAFE Act – all because the Senate’s eight year extension of rent control didn’t conform to their strict, liberal base. The Senate will adjourn session and return to town next week. I’m hopeful that time away from Albany’s blinding political haze will afford the Governor and Assembly a new perspective on compromise and priorities. Hard-working New Yorkers don’t care about partisan extremes, they care about everyday issues like providing for and protecting their families.”
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Tuesday, June 9, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
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Niagara County Clerk candidate Joe Jastrzemski urged the state Senate and Assembly to ban the sale of motorists’ personal information by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Jastrzemski issued a press release calling the practice "unconscionable," and asking body houses of the state Legislature to make passing the bill a priority.
His press release follows in its entirety.
news@eastniagarapost.com
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| Joe Jastrzemski |
Jastrzemski issued a press release calling the practice "unconscionable," and asking body houses of the state Legislature to make passing the bill a priority.
His press release follows in its entirety.
“Yesterday, it came to my attention that a Freedom of Information Request by Monroe County Clerk Cheryl Dinolfo to determine which companies the New York State DMV sold motorists’ personal information to had been delayed because, in the state’s words, the number of records is ‘substantial.’ This is an unconscionable abuse of the public’s trust, on a larger scale than anyone imagined.
“The state Senate and Assembly have a pair of bills before them, S.5668 and A.2509, that would put an end to this abusive practice by requiring written consent from motorists before their personal information is disclosed. DMV customers should be able to trust that, when they register their motor vehicles with the state, the state is handling that information with respect, not looking to make a quick buck by violating its citizens’ privacy. It is my understanding that these bills are before the Senate Finance and Assembly Transportation committees. I urge both houses to make passing this bill a priority, and I hope Gov. Cuomo will swiftly sign it into law.”
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Saturday, May 9, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
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ALBANY — Assemblywoman Jane Corwin is expressing frustration at the lack of action on a domestic violence bill in the Assembly.
The Clarence Republican is dismayed that Assembly Bill 1833, the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, also known as "Brittany’s Law" has not come up for a vote in the Legislature's lower body. Named after a 12-year-old girl who was brutally murdered, along with her mother, by a violent felon, the bill has bipartisan sponsorship in the Assembly and has been passed in the state Senate, but it has languished in the Assembly for a number of years.
“It is disconcerting that the Assembly Majority would neglect to bring Brittany’s Law to a vote while we are here in Albany to pass legislation to protect victims of domestic violence today,” Corwin said last week. “To truly increase public safety and help both law enforcement and the public protect themselves against violent felons, we must pass Brittany’s Law this year.”
Brittany’s Law would create a public online database of violent felons, similar to the existing sex offender database. The database would be a valuable tool for law enforcement as well as the public.
In 2009, Brittany Passalacqua and her mother, Helen Buchel, were murdered in Geneva, New York by a violent felon who had recently been paroled. The felon had previously been convicted for violently assaulting his own infant daughter six years earlier. According to her mother (and Brittany’s grandmother) Ms. Buchel had no idea that the man who ultimately murdered her and her child was a convicted violent felon. Had she had access to this information, she never would have allowed him in her life or her home.
Data released by the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, shows domestic violence has increased in New York State. Specifically, incidences of homicide by intimate partners in parts of the state outside of New York City have increased by 16 percent from 2012 to 2013. Out of the 112,094 assaults reported to police agencies outside of New York City, females were the victim of 80 percent of intimate partner assaults. Furthermore, also in 2013, 48 percent of female homicide victims aged 16 and older were killed by an intimate partner.
Data continues to show that violent felons are highly likely to repeat offenses. A United States Bureau of Justice Statistics study found that 71.3 percent of violent offenders were arrested for a new crime.
A01833 was referred to correction on Jan. 13, where it remains. The Senate version, S00513, was included in the language of the Senate's approved budget bill.
news@eastniagarapost.com
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| Jane Corwin |
The Clarence Republican is dismayed that Assembly Bill 1833, the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, also known as "Brittany’s Law" has not come up for a vote in the Legislature's lower body. Named after a 12-year-old girl who was brutally murdered, along with her mother, by a violent felon, the bill has bipartisan sponsorship in the Assembly and has been passed in the state Senate, but it has languished in the Assembly for a number of years.
“It is disconcerting that the Assembly Majority would neglect to bring Brittany’s Law to a vote while we are here in Albany to pass legislation to protect victims of domestic violence today,” Corwin said last week. “To truly increase public safety and help both law enforcement and the public protect themselves against violent felons, we must pass Brittany’s Law this year.”
Brittany’s Law would create a public online database of violent felons, similar to the existing sex offender database. The database would be a valuable tool for law enforcement as well as the public.
In 2009, Brittany Passalacqua and her mother, Helen Buchel, were murdered in Geneva, New York by a violent felon who had recently been paroled. The felon had previously been convicted for violently assaulting his own infant daughter six years earlier. According to her mother (and Brittany’s grandmother) Ms. Buchel had no idea that the man who ultimately murdered her and her child was a convicted violent felon. Had she had access to this information, she never would have allowed him in her life or her home.
Data released by the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, shows domestic violence has increased in New York State. Specifically, incidences of homicide by intimate partners in parts of the state outside of New York City have increased by 16 percent from 2012 to 2013. Out of the 112,094 assaults reported to police agencies outside of New York City, females were the victim of 80 percent of intimate partner assaults. Furthermore, also in 2013, 48 percent of female homicide victims aged 16 and older were killed by an intimate partner.
Data continues to show that violent felons are highly likely to repeat offenses. A United States Bureau of Justice Statistics study found that 71.3 percent of violent offenders were arrested for a new crime.
A01833 was referred to correction on Jan. 13, where it remains. The Senate version, S00513, was included in the language of the Senate's approved budget bill.
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Wednesday, March 4, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
ALBANY — Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, R-Clarence, introduced a series of proposed reforms to the rules of the Assembly today.
Corwin said the reforms would bring about "much-needed transparency and equality in the legislative process for all members, regardless of rank or political affiliation – provisions which the Assembly Majority members were vocal in their support of during their efforts to elect Carl Heastie as the new Assembly Speaker."
“Speaker Heastie was elected by the Assembly Majority for his promise to reform the chamber. However, since his election we have not addressed any reforms in the Assembly. Here is an opportunity for him and his members to enact meaningful and much-needed changes that will benefit every member of the Assembly and the constituents they represent,” said Corwin.
The Assembly Minority’s proposed rules would: allow each member to bring to vote at least one substantive piece of legislation during each two-year term; impose term limits for the Assembly leadership positions of Speaker, Majority Leader and Minority Leader of four consecutive two-year terms; and limit Assembly Committee Chairs from serving in perpetuity by imposing a similar eight-year term limit.
The 17 rules reforms proposed by Corwin and her colleagues would also increase transparency for the public and promote legislative equality among all members. It is their hope that the 17 rules reforms will be allowed to come up for an immediate vote when Assembly reconvenes on Monday, Corwin said.
“As Speaker Heastie himself stated during his inaugural speech on Feb. 3, ‘for years now, there’s been a call for bringing sunlight to the Capitol, and the time is here for us to act. We need to democratize our legislative process.’ It is our hope that Speaker Heastie will give these long-standing, much-needed and meaningful reforms his full attention and fair consideration. With our 17 reforms ready to be voted on Monday, here is an opportunity to bring about reform in the Assembly and break from the broken status quo,” said Corwin.
news@eastniagarapost.com
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| Assemblywoman Jane Corwin |
Corwin said the reforms would bring about "much-needed transparency and equality in the legislative process for all members, regardless of rank or political affiliation – provisions which the Assembly Majority members were vocal in their support of during their efforts to elect Carl Heastie as the new Assembly Speaker."
“Speaker Heastie was elected by the Assembly Majority for his promise to reform the chamber. However, since his election we have not addressed any reforms in the Assembly. Here is an opportunity for him and his members to enact meaningful and much-needed changes that will benefit every member of the Assembly and the constituents they represent,” said Corwin.
The Assembly Minority’s proposed rules would: allow each member to bring to vote at least one substantive piece of legislation during each two-year term; impose term limits for the Assembly leadership positions of Speaker, Majority Leader and Minority Leader of four consecutive two-year terms; and limit Assembly Committee Chairs from serving in perpetuity by imposing a similar eight-year term limit.
The 17 rules reforms proposed by Corwin and her colleagues would also increase transparency for the public and promote legislative equality among all members. It is their hope that the 17 rules reforms will be allowed to come up for an immediate vote when Assembly reconvenes on Monday, Corwin said.
“As Speaker Heastie himself stated during his inaugural speech on Feb. 3, ‘for years now, there’s been a call for bringing sunlight to the Capitol, and the time is here for us to act. We need to democratize our legislative process.’ It is our hope that Speaker Heastie will give these long-standing, much-needed and meaningful reforms his full attention and fair consideration. With our 17 reforms ready to be voted on Monday, here is an opportunity to bring about reform in the Assembly and break from the broken status quo,” said Corwin.
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Friday, January 30, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
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ALBANY — Assemblywoman Jane Corwin and Assemblyman Ray Walter put out a joint press release this afternoon saying that simply replacing Sheldon Silver as Speaker of the Assembly will not fix the problem in the state legislature.
"New Rules of the Assembly must be implemented in order to ensure many of the abuses of autonomous power Speaker Silver utilized to control his members will not be available to future speakers," says the GOP press release, which is posted below in its entirety.
Silver is reported to be stepping down on Monday after demands that he do so this week from his own party. The original demands came from Republican Assemblymen, including Corwin.
Silver was arrested last week on federal corruption charges. He is alleged to have accepted as much as $4 million in kickbacks from special interest groups.
news@eastniagarapost.com
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| Jane Corwin |
"New Rules of the Assembly must be implemented in order to ensure many of the abuses of autonomous power Speaker Silver utilized to control his members will not be available to future speakers," says the GOP press release, which is posted below in its entirety.
Silver is reported to be stepping down on Monday after demands that he do so this week from his own party. The original demands came from Republican Assemblymen, including Corwin.
Silver was arrested last week on federal corruption charges. He is alleged to have accepted as much as $4 million in kickbacks from special interest groups.
With so much discussion the past few weeks regarding the arrest and imminent departure of Speaker Sheldon Silver, many New Yorkers believe the political process in the New York State Assembly will be dramatically improved.
While it is true that ending Silver’s 21-year reign of power will certainly liberate Majority Members who have, for years, been under his regime’s control, electing a new speaker alone is not enough to ensure a transparent, fully-functioning legislative process to take over.
New Rules of the Assembly must be implemented in order to ensure many of the abuses of autonomous power Speaker Silver utilized to control his members will not be available to future speakers.
The Republican Minority Conference has compiled these reforms into the Public Officers Accountability Act, which would above all place term limits on legislative leaders and committee chairs preventing unilateral control by one individual over the house for decades. It would also allow more members to bring legislation to the floor, open up the committee process, require greater disclosure of outside income and provide stiffer penalties for ethics violations.
Furthermore, the act would establish a new, five-member Commission on Official Conduct that assumes the duties of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE), the State Inspector General, and the former Temporary State Commission of Investigation as well as creates the new crime of failure to report corruption.
While New Yorkers across the state await the anticipated historic events on Monday, we have a rapidly-closing window of opportunity to pass the reforms and bring a real democratic process back to New York State. Along with our colleagues in the Assembly Minority Conference – and the citizens of this state we represent – we will be ready to receive their message of reform, if one should come, and vote on any reform measures the Majority is willing to put forth. If they need somewhere to start, the Public Officers Accountability Act would be a great place.
— Jane Corwin and Ray Walter
— New York State Assembly
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Friday, January 23, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
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ALBANY — Following the arrest of embattled Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assemblywoman Jane Corwin immediately called for Silver to step down from his leadership role in the Assembly.
Now her fellow Western New York Assembly members are making the same demand. Today Corwin, Assemblymen John Ceretto, Michael Kearns, Ray Walter, Joe Giglio, and Assemblywoman Angela Wozniak jointly denounced Silver’s actions and detailed how his continued leadership in the Assembly will negatively impact Western New Yorkers.
The elected officials also called on their colleagues in the Assembly Democrat conference to finally break ties and take a stance against Silver by calling for his resignation and electing new Assembly leadership.
“With the Executive Budget proposal already on the table and important policy decisions already being made, as one of the 'three men in the room' it is incumbent on Sheldon Silver to immediately step down as the Speaker of the Assembly," Corwin, R-Clarence, said. “In addition, I encourage my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to immediately elect a new speaker that is worthy of the distinction and honor of proceeding over the people’s house, and who will help deliver a fiscally-responsible and equitable on-time budget for the state of New York.”
Ceretto, a Republican from Lewiston, said, “Yesterday’s revelations of possible bribery and extortion only further erode the people’s trust in their government. For the sake of our government’s integrity and the basic functioning of the legislature, Silver must resign."
“I am proud to stand with my Western New York colleagues today to call on Sheldon Silver to step down as Speaker and resign,” said Walter, R-Amherst. “We have a lot to accomplish this session, and due to Silver’s actions it’s clear he is unfit to lead the Assembly. I am confident that Silver’s resignation is what is best for the people of New York State and I urge my Democrat colleagues to call for his resignation as well.”
Wozniak, a Republican from Clarence, said "Silver has been the face of corruption in Albany politics for decades, and it’s time for him to admit to these offenses and resign. My colleagues and I agree that enough is enough and it’s time Silver resign so we can get back to work and focus on the people’s business,”
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| Sheldon Silver |
Now her fellow Western New York Assembly members are making the same demand. Today Corwin, Assemblymen John Ceretto, Michael Kearns, Ray Walter, Joe Giglio, and Assemblywoman Angela Wozniak jointly denounced Silver’s actions and detailed how his continued leadership in the Assembly will negatively impact Western New Yorkers.
The elected officials also called on their colleagues in the Assembly Democrat conference to finally break ties and take a stance against Silver by calling for his resignation and electing new Assembly leadership.
“With the Executive Budget proposal already on the table and important policy decisions already being made, as one of the 'three men in the room' it is incumbent on Sheldon Silver to immediately step down as the Speaker of the Assembly," Corwin, R-Clarence, said. “In addition, I encourage my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to immediately elect a new speaker that is worthy of the distinction and honor of proceeding over the people’s house, and who will help deliver a fiscally-responsible and equitable on-time budget for the state of New York.”
Ceretto, a Republican from Lewiston, said, “Yesterday’s revelations of possible bribery and extortion only further erode the people’s trust in their government. For the sake of our government’s integrity and the basic functioning of the legislature, Silver must resign."
“I am proud to stand with my Western New York colleagues today to call on Sheldon Silver to step down as Speaker and resign,” said Walter, R-Amherst. “We have a lot to accomplish this session, and due to Silver’s actions it’s clear he is unfit to lead the Assembly. I am confident that Silver’s resignation is what is best for the people of New York State and I urge my Democrat colleagues to call for his resignation as well.”
Wozniak, a Republican from Clarence, said "Silver has been the face of corruption in Albany politics for decades, and it’s time for him to admit to these offenses and resign. My colleagues and I agree that enough is enough and it’s time Silver resign so we can get back to work and focus on the people’s business,”
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Tuesday, January 13, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
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Assemblywoman Jane Corwin issued a press release this morning calling on the Assembly leadership to allow for a vote on a slate of women's equality bills.
Corwin had been part of a press conference this morning asking Speaker Sheldon Silver to allow for an up-or-down vote on the bills, which passed the state Senate unanimously on Monday.
Corwin's press release follows below in its entirety.
news@eastniagarapost.com
Assemblywoman Jane Corwin issued a press release this morning calling on the Assembly leadership to allow for a vote on a slate of women's equality bills.
Corwin had been part of a press conference this morning asking Speaker Sheldon Silver to allow for an up-or-down vote on the bills, which passed the state Senate unanimously on Monday.
Corwin's press release follows below in its entirety.
Assemblywoman Jane Corwin (R,C,I-Clarence) joined Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb and members of the Assembly Minority Conference at a press conference today calling on Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to allow the individual points of the Women’s Equality Act to come up for a vote. Yesterday, the bills were passed individually in the state Senate.
“Last year, despite bipartisan and widespread support for passing these bills individually, the Speaker decided to play politics and not allow the bills to be voted on their own merits. They would have passed, and because they had already passed in the Senate, they would be in law today if he had put partisanship aside,” said Corwin, who has been a leading advocate for passing the bills individually. “We – the people of New York, particularly the women and children of this state – need him to finally do the right thing: allow these bills to come up for a vote one by one.”
Corwin was one of the stronger supporters for the Women’s Equality Agenda, a nine-point legislative plan supported by the Assembly Minority Conference. Senate versions of these individual bills passed with broad support in the state Senate in 2014, omitting the controversial tenth bill regarding abortion. Eight bills were passed again by the Senate yesterday, arguably the first major legislative act of the Republican-led Senate.
With near universal support in the legislature, Corwin and her colleagues have renewed their calls that the Speaker allow the bills to be voted on individually. The bills would strengthen federal mandates requiring equal pay for equal work; prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace; curb discrimination for victims of domestic violence; end discrimination based on familial status; prohibit housing discrimination for victims of domestic violence; improve process for obtaining orders of protection; stop human trafficking; and increase workplace protections for women during pregnancy and with other post-pregnancy conditions.
“It has been clear from the beginning that the issue of Women’s Equality has been nothing more than a political ploy – but it does not have to be. With the elections behind him, there is no reason for the Speaker to continue denying the women and children of our state these protections and rights. I strongly encourage him to allow the bills to come up for a vote – and call on all members of his conference and party to use their influence and convince him to do the right thing,” said Corwin.
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Monday, May 12, 2014
ENP STAFF REPORTS
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ALBANY — An online magazine geared towards state politics published a story Sunday focusing primarily on the campaign spending of state Sen. George Maziarz between 2008 and 2013.
The City & State article, based on documents obtained by the new defunct Moreland Commission on Public Corruption, states that Maziarz, R-Newfane, spent more than $140,000 of campaign funds over the six-year period without specifying what the money was spent on — more than any other member of the state Senate or Assembly, as well as $67,000 of charges and expenditures to Chase and Chase Card Services,” listed as "office" expenses.
Maziarz told East Niagara Post this afternoon that "the Moreland Commission never asked me for any information, made any inquiries to my office or raised any issue with my campaign. We have followed all campaign laws, reported all expenditures and have always been very transparent."
He also said "My campaign activities involve a lot of community support and grassroots activity. We support a host of local not for profit events with gift baskets, journal ads, gift cards, purchase of tables, etc. These are all small dollars hence they have not been itemized. Whether it’s the United Way, local hospitals and fire companies or some other worthy community event, our campaign committee makes these kinds of donations on a regular basis."
In addition, the Commission found that Maziarz had, over the course of six years, paid $39,000 to a company called MEM Enterprises, based at the address of Maziarz' brother Marvin Maziarz.
To that, the state Senator said, "like other people who run for office, I pay consultants for their services. One consultant is my brother Marvin. He has instituted and run the grassroots portion of my campaign for years, including event coverage, lawn signs, volunteer coordination and more. Again, this has always been clearly reported and is a legitimate campaign expense."
Many state lawmakers regarded the Moreland Commission as a "witch hunt," and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in late March that he was shutting it down. The head of the commission, Makau Mutua, had said earlier this month, however, that the Commission had unearthed potential criminality by 10 to 12 state lawmakers — without naming who those lawmakers were.
Other lawmakers highlighted in the City & State article about undisclosed (or unitemized) spending include fellow Republicans, state Sen. Patrick Gallivan, state Sen. Greg Ball, and state Sen. John Bonacic; as well as Democrats, state Sen. John Sampson, state Sen. Rubén Díaz, Sr., and Assemblyman Carl Heastie. State Sen. Diane Savino, a member of the Independent Democratic Conference, was also featured.
Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause/NY, said "Although technically legal, unreported and un-itemized expenses suggest that lawmakers have something to hide. The campaign finance laws governing 'personal use' run contrary to the spirit of a transparent democracy, which lawmakers can quickly correct by disclosing a detailed list of their campaign expenses. Common Cause/NY urges the lawmakers under investigation by the former Moreland Commission to do the right thing by their constituents and offer a full accounting of the facts."
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| (SCREEN CAPTURE - cityandstateny.com) |
The City & State article, based on documents obtained by the new defunct Moreland Commission on Public Corruption, states that Maziarz, R-Newfane, spent more than $140,000 of campaign funds over the six-year period without specifying what the money was spent on — more than any other member of the state Senate or Assembly, as well as $67,000 of charges and expenditures to Chase and Chase Card Services,” listed as "office" expenses.
Maziarz told East Niagara Post this afternoon that "the Moreland Commission never asked me for any information, made any inquiries to my office or raised any issue with my campaign. We have followed all campaign laws, reported all expenditures and have always been very transparent."
He also said "My campaign activities involve a lot of community support and grassroots activity. We support a host of local not for profit events with gift baskets, journal ads, gift cards, purchase of tables, etc. These are all small dollars hence they have not been itemized. Whether it’s the United Way, local hospitals and fire companies or some other worthy community event, our campaign committee makes these kinds of donations on a regular basis."
In addition, the Commission found that Maziarz had, over the course of six years, paid $39,000 to a company called MEM Enterprises, based at the address of Maziarz' brother Marvin Maziarz.
Many state lawmakers regarded the Moreland Commission as a "witch hunt," and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in late March that he was shutting it down. The head of the commission, Makau Mutua, had said earlier this month, however, that the Commission had unearthed potential criminality by 10 to 12 state lawmakers — without naming who those lawmakers were.
Other lawmakers highlighted in the City & State article about undisclosed (or unitemized) spending include fellow Republicans, state Sen. Patrick Gallivan, state Sen. Greg Ball, and state Sen. John Bonacic; as well as Democrats, state Sen. John Sampson, state Sen. Rubén Díaz, Sr., and Assemblyman Carl Heastie. State Sen. Diane Savino, a member of the Independent Democratic Conference, was also featured.
Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause/NY, said "Although technically legal, unreported and un-itemized expenses suggest that lawmakers have something to hide. The campaign finance laws governing 'personal use' run contrary to the spirit of a transparent democracy, which lawmakers can quickly correct by disclosing a detailed list of their campaign expenses. Common Cause/NY urges the lawmakers under investigation by the former Moreland Commission to do the right thing by their constituents and offer a full accounting of the facts."
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Wednesday, March 26, 2014
 |
WIKIPEDIA - The Electoral College map from the 2000
presidential election. Sen. Al Gore won 19 states totaling
266 electoral votes and 48.4 percent of the national vote.
George W. Bush won 31 states totaling 271 electoral votes
but only 47.9 percent of the popular vote. The disparity
gave rise to the National Popular Vote movement.
|
“If enough states did this, we would change the landscape of how we choose a president,” said state Sen. George Maziarz, one of the co-sponsors of S.3149-A, the Senate version of the bill. “Too often presidential candidates campaign in a handful of swing states and ignore all the others. This bill would make New York’s votes matter more than ever and it would make sure that presidential candidates pay attention to our state and ultimately are more accountable to our state.”
While the Electoral College itself would remain in tact, states are free to allocate their votes any way in which they determine, meaning if enough states sign on to the National Popular Vote agreement — enough to total 270 electoral votes — it would assure that whichever candidate receives the most total votes nationwide would become president. The agreement dictates that none of the states which have signed on would allocate their votes to the popular vote winner until enough states sign on to equal 270.
So far, nine states and the District of Columbia have signed the measure, accounting for 136 electoral votes. If New York's bill is signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, it would increase the total to 165 electoral votes. New York would be the second largest state, behind California's 55 electoral votes, to join the effort.
All nine of the states that have approved the measure are states that typically vote for the Democratic candidate. They are California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. New York is also a "safe" blue state.
Legislation has also passed both houses of the Colorado legislature but has not yet been signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat. Nine other states have had bills pass one of their two legislative bodies — Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oregon.
Proponents of the bill note that the nation is nearly evenly split electorally between Democratic-leaning and Republican-leaning states, excluding a handful of states which "swing." In the 2012 presidential election, President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney spent the vast majority of their post-convention time in those "swing states," primarily in Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa. Additionally, voters in so-called "safe states," including New York, seldom see presidential candidates due to the need for candidates to campaign in the swing states.
As the wording in Senate bill states, "... in the Presidential elections of 2000 and 2004, the winners were selected based upon the outcomes of elections in one state or less because of their weight in the Electoral College. The 'winner take all' system is no longer adequate, and the voice of millions of Americans should not be concentrated into the outcome of one state's election."
"For too long New York has been irrelevant in choosing our president," Maziarz added. “This agreement will change that by making sure the voice of the majority of our citizens is heard.”
"The National Popular Vote bill is about empowering the only true voice of the people to elect the president. Common Cause/NY is proud to see the the Legislature bring the country one step further in pursuit of a more equitable democracy by passing this important legislation," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY, a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy group.
Dissenters point to the long history of the Electoral College and say changing the way a president is elected should be done by changing the Constitution.
The New York Senate bill was sponsored by Republican Sen. Joseph Griffo — and co-sponsored by Maziarz and numerous others. The Assembly counterpart was sponsored by Democratic Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, R-Clarence, voted in favor of the bill.
Various versions of the bill have been introduced yearly dating back to 2006. What was originally introduced by five members of the Assembly has grown to what it is today. In 2010 and 2011, it passed the Senate but failed the Assembly. In 2013, it passed the Assembly but the Senate never considered it. Now it has been approved in the Senate by a 57-4 margin and in the Assembly by a 100-32 margin and simply awaits the governor's signature.
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