CONSERVATIVE RATINGS RELEASED

IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW YOUR LEGISLATOR VOTES

Click here for 2006 NY Assembly Ratings              Click here for 2006 NY Senate Ratings

Click here for 2005 ACU House Ratings              Click here for 2005 ACU Senate Ratings

Fort Hamilton Station, NY (09/14/06) -- The Conservative Party released its ratings for the 2006 legislative session today in order to keep the electorate apprised of how their legislator voted on 25 key bills acted upon in the current year.

The Conservative Party tracks legislation throughout the session and determines, at an executive committee meeting, which key issues including spending, crime, education and various other topics that affect the lives of New Yorkers, will be used.  "We believe that it is necessary to keep the public informed of these key votes and let the taxpayers be aware of how elected officials spend our money, not only directly in budget bills, but how other legislation effects school budgets, health coverage and how unfunded mandates increase the cost of doing business in New York," said Mike Long, State Chairman.

"A review of the twenty-five bills used will show voters where the legislature is wrong on the issues and some show where they have helped New Yorkers", said Long.  "The ratings give voters a scorecard on how their individual legislator voted and how many times they force local governments, already reeling from previous unfunded mandates from the Legislature, to raise taxes in order to pay for many ‘feel-good’ proposals,"  Long continued. 

"New York voters face serious long term fiscal problems," Long stated.  "The Members gave some tax-relief to the overburdened taxpayers, but hardly enough to stem the tide of New Yorkers moving to tax-friendlier states.  And it isn’t only residents, it is businesses who can no longer sustain ever increasing costs,” Long stated.  “Election day is less than two months away and voters are being swayed by slick commercials touting a member’s accomplishment…we encourage voters to look at their voting record and then decide if their member should be returned to office,” Long said.

"The 61.45% overall rating of the New York State Senate and the 41.76% overall rating of the New York State Assembly indicate that much work must be done to improve conditions for New Yorkers.  Both the major parties have become big spenders and almost indistinguishable.  In the Senate, the Conservative endorsed legislators averaged 69.14%.  Conservatives endorse two Democrats in the Senate and 33 Republicans.  In the Assembly, Conservative endorsed legislators averaged a 58.93% rating.  Conservatives endorse 6 Democrats and 40 Republicans in the Assembly.  If we used the 80% that former President Reagan considered acceptable for our ratings, only 4 members would be returned to office:  Butler and Reilich with an 80%, Kolb with an 84% and Michael J. Fitzpatrick with an 88%,” concluded Long.

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(Please call 718-921-2158 or 518-356-7882 for a copy of the Ratings.  Thank you.)