Conservative Ratings Released

Ft. Hamilton Station, NY – (11/08/07) The Conservative Party released its ratings for the 2007 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. Every economic expert is predicting financial problems due to a severe downturn in many of the forces that effect New York’s budget. This year’s budget increased spending over three times the rate of inflation and the temptation to do even more in an upcoming election year should have every New York resident speaking out against such wasteful spending. New Yorker’s are leaving as fast as they can and those who are left behind to pay simply cannot afford to leave for a variety of reasons. And it isn’t only residents, it is businesses who can no longer sustain ever increasing costs,” Long stated.

"The 70% overall rating of the New York State Senate and the 46% 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 83%. Conservatives endorse one Democrat in the Senate and 33 Republicans. In the Assembly, Conservative endorsed legislators averaged a 77% rating. Conservatives endorse 4 Democrats and 37 Republicans in the Assembly. Seven Senate members and two Assembly members scored an 88%, the highest score. Last year only one member scored an 88%,” concluded Long.
 

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(Ratings are online at http://www.cpnys.org/cover_for_ratings_2007.htm. If you have a problem downloading, please call 718-921-2158 or 518-356-7882 for a copy of the Ratings. Thank you.)