Joe Mondello is "apprehensive" about November, but in a story for tomorrow's Newsday new majority leader Skelos tells James Madore that based on internal polls he's optimistic about maintaining GOP control of the Senate in the upcoming elections:
"Polling indicates every single one is doing well. And every member realizes they have a responsibility to their constituents and to the conference to get re-elected. They’re hustling.”
Also, a strange comment from NYS Democratic Party spokesman Jonathan Rosen, predicting victory for his side:
"Long Island residents are fed up with skyrocketing property taxes and the failure of Senate Republicans to do anything about it. On Election Day, we expect they will send Senator Skelos and his colleagues in the Senate majority a message by electing fiscally responsible reformers.”
Has anyone told the state Democratic Party that the chief obstacle to a cap on property tax increases is Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver? A Democrat? Where's the condemnation of the "failure of Assembly Democrats to do anything about it"? Where's the condemnation of the teachers' unions, which pull the Assembly's strings on this issue?
Maybe Senate Democrats can work the issue, and absolve themselves of responsibility for Silver. But the state party? Who's fooling who here?????
Full text of the story after the jump.
From Bureau Chief James T. Madore:
ALBANY – While admitting Republicans face a tough battle this fall to retain control of the State Senate, their new leader Dean Skelos said yesterday that internal polls showed all 30 incumbents “doing well” and no wave of retirements was in the offing.
The November contests are an important moment for Skelos, who was selected Tuesday night to become Senate majority leader and temporary president, and his party. A loss of just two seats would give control of all of state government to the Democrats and could cost Skelos, of Rockville Centre, the job he’s wanted for years.
Skelos plans to meet with campaign staff in the coming days to review strategy and fundraising. His predecessor, Sen. Joseph Bruno of upstate Brunswick, will continue to raise money and introduce Skelos to wealthy contributors.
Bruno stepped aside as Senate chief after 14 years, saying he wanted to spend more time with family. Skelos, Bruno’s long-time deputy, is only the second Long Islander to lead the legislature’s upper house.
Asked about the November elections, Skelos told Newsday, “I’m up for the challenge. I love politics and this is like the ultimate.”
Republicans have held sway in the Senate for more than 40 years, but the GOP contingent is graying rapidly — 15 of the 32 will be age 65 or older by year’s end. And the party has an enrollment disadvantage to Democrats even in traditional bastions such as Long Island and upstate.
“Polling indicates every single one is doing well,” Skelos said, referring to Republican incumbents. “And every member realizes they have a responsibility to their constituents and to the conference to get re-elected. They’re hustling.”
The state Democratic Party Committee, citing the hot-button issue of high property taxes, which Skelos also mentioned, predicted defeat for the GOP. “Long Island residents are fed up with skyrocketing property taxes and the failure of Senate Republicans to do anything about it. On Election Day, we expect they will send Senator Skelos and his colleagues in the Senate majority a message by electing fiscally responsible reformers,” said Democratic spokesman Jonathan Rosen.
But the Island’s top Democrat in Albany, comptroller Thomas DiNapoli of Great Neck, heaped praise on Skelos, with whom he co-sponsored many laws. “Even though we come from opposite sides of the political fence, Dean Skelos has always been willing to cut across party lines to work cooperatively for the good of all New Yorkers,” DiNapoli said.
Skelos plans to visit Buffalo, Rochester, Binghamton and other upstate communities in the next few weeks to meet with community leaders, business executives, newspaper editors and others knowledgeable about pressing issues there. Addressing concerns he will show favoritism to his native Long Island, Skelos said, “each region of the state just has to be treated fairly – that’s my philosophy ... the Island deserves it’s fair shake also.”
Skelos, 60, acknowledged feeling “a bit overwhelmed” in the job of majority leader despite witnessing the performances of three men since being elected to the Senate in 1984. As leader, he’s responsible for a chamber with a budget of $95 million per year and 1,450 employees.
Skelos yesterday received a 40-minute tutorial from Bruno on time management. “He made suggestions in terms of using your time efficiently ... basically how you function as a majority leader with a limited amount of time during the day and a lot of people wanting to see you,” Skelos said.
Thirty-three men have served as Senate majority leader since 1874, 11 for only a year or so. Skelos vowed not to join that group. “I think we will be successful because voters understand the importance of checks and balances in government, and the Republican majority provides that in Albany.”
Comments (3)
McCain will do very well in Nassau and Suffolk and in Republican districts all around the state.
Yes, they will have to campaign hard. But Skelos will need to be the driving force to make sure they win.
Get to it, and be that "NEW LEADER" that the GOP needs.
VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
ps visit and check out the video comparing your life to that of a solders. You will cry.
Has anyone ever told you that the Assembly Democrats are NOT the road block to capping property taxes. They are the road block to the ineefectual way that the Republicans propose to cap property taxes. The Democratic Party has long favored the concept of replacing public education funding from the property tax to a graduated income tax. The Republicans who pander only to the wealthiest among us have blocked that effort at each and every turn. A multi millionaire may pay $30k a year in property taxes on their large homes and while that seems like a great deal it pales compared to the amount they would pay to support their equatable share of funding public education through a state progressive income tax. The school portion of the property tax is the largest tax payed by homeowners. There would be no greter tax cap for middle class homeowners than to fund public education through a progressive income tax! BTW Obama will clean McCains clock on LI!
To politics64:
The Assembly Democrats do appear to be the primary obstacle to the property tax cap proposal from Suozzi's commission -- appointed by a Democrat, and headed by a Democrat. There's always another idea, but this is the one on the table right now.
Shifting to the income tax would take the burden off the property tax, but would do nothing to rein in school expenses -- which are way above national averages, the highest in the nation, growing at a faster rate than the national average, and providing mediocre results relative to national averages. What does your idea do to address the cost drivers?