Addabbo's Constituents Want His Vote On Same-Sex Marriage Now

Out of 62 senators, there are still 14 that have not stated whether they will vote for or against the bill to give equal rights to same-sex couples wishing to get married. One of those senators is Joseph Addabbo. The eastern Queens Senator is apparently holding out to the very last minute or is not willing to say in case no vote comes to pass. Either way, NY1 tells us people in his district want to know how he feels.

From NY1:

Constituents wanted to hear what freshman State Senator Joseph Addabbo has to say about gay marriage.

"He needs to make a decision, quick," said one Queens resident. "A lot of people are interested in knowing."

But on Friday they did not know, as Addabbo would not respond to the question of how he would vote on legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.

"It's very important," said a constituent. "He needs to say if he is for or against it."

"I really think he should have a position on that; he definitely should have something to say because he's a senator," said another.

"I think he should have a response one way or the other," agreed a third.

NY1 did find a few that thought the opposite, but said they were few and far between. Now whether or not he follows those three voters' advice is another thing, but Addabbo will probably stay silent if he hasn't said anything already. Perhaps because he is a new Democrat in the district (Republican Serph Maltese represented the area for years and year), he's not up to angering a sizable portion of the community if he doesn't have to.

However, as MENY blogged last November, Joe has been a reliable vote for LGBT issues when he was a Councilmember (though he still hadn't taken a position on same-sex marriage) so perhaps when push comes to shove, he'll vote with the majority of the Democratic caucus and say yes to marriage equality.

Of course, it would be nice to add him to list of yes votes beforehand so residents should keep calling and pressuring him to take a stand regardless of where Addabbo is at now.

Lets Turn NY Completely Blue Tomorrow!

I just got done canvassing a nice chunk of District 15 for Jim Gennaro out here in Queens. The response has been extremely positive, but the race is too close to call. After nearly seventy years of Republican dominance, it is well past the time to make a change up in Albany but it can't come soon enough. We are down to just a two-seat differential and it could happen right here in this Borough. It is looking good here for Gennaro and Addabbo, but things are going great for Brian Foley out on Long Island as well. As the Daily News reports, it is within the Democrats grasp. So what does it all mean?

From New York Magazine:

ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAWS
They’d like to scale back the state’s mandatory sentencing for drug crimes, arguing that they’re unfair and target minorities. They’d reduce sentences for nonviolent, low-level offenders and expand judges’ discretion to order treatment instead of jail.[...]

ABORTION
They’d establish the fundamental right of a woman to terminate her pregnancy prior to fetal viability and in later stages if the woman’s health is at risk.[...]

CAMPAIGN FINANCE
They want to substantially lower political-contribution limits and close loopholes that allow donors to funnel money through limited-liability companies. Last year, Spitzer failed to cut a deal with Republicans that would have lowered the contribution limit for statewide candidates to $15,000 from $55,800. They’d revive Spitzer’s plan.[...]

PAID FAMILY LEAVE
They want paid leave for employees tending to a sick family member or caring for a newborn. A leading proposal would provide about three months of $170-a-week leave and would be paid for with a small payroll deduction.

And that is just the beginning. There is so much we can do to change the way our state responds to its citizens and it starts with the election tomorrow. So if you have some spare time, come out to Queens or Long Island and volunteer your time. Hell, take a day off work and come canvassing and make phone calls. I promise you'll feel great at the end of the day knowing you helped affect change for New York, not to mention knowing that it helps increase the turn out for the overall vote, from the Presidential race on down.

Addabbo And Maltese Square Off In Queens

Queens County has the ability to turn the status of power in the State Senate this year and Joseph Addabbo can be a part of that change. He is one of two Democratic Councilmen running for higher office, including Jim Gennaro who is running against Frank Padavan in the nearby 15th District. Addabbo is considered to have a good shot at throwing out the incumbent Serphin Maltese and was out to prove it at their debate last night.

From The Queens Chronicle:

Addabbo positioned himself as an agent of change, arguing that his city council record, along with his energy and fresh ideas, would allow him to reinvigorate the 15th Senate District. He cited as an example his “Adopt-A-Station” plan, similar to the “Adopt-A-Highway” program already in place, which he had proposed to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to allow local businesses “to help beautify the A and J lines.”

The debate heated up when Maltese emphasized the advantages of being a 20-year incumbent. “Councilman Addabbo would come in as a new man, a neophyte, somebody that would not command the authority and funds that I do,” he said. “He would come in as sixty-second out of 62 senators, and that’s not going to command a great deal of attention for any plan he may come up with.”

Addabbo responded with one of the many one-liners he delivered that night: “At least I have a plan.… You don’t need seniority to have confidence in working with the MTA.”

What Addabbo didn't mention is that when the Senate has a Democratic Majority, Serphin's longevity in the Senate won't amount to a hill of beans. Being in the minority is a huge disadvantage to any politician, whether they're in there for thirty days or thirty years.

Also according to the Chronicle, Addabbo was cheered by the immigrant community for opposing Maltese's legislation that promoted racial profiling after 9/11. In the most diverse areas of the country, the old ways of thinking about immigrants should not be tolerated in our 21st century society, whether that be at the Presidential level, or on the State Senate side of things.

The article also focuses on whether a train station smells of urine or not and the seriousness of going to check out the problem as soon as possible, which adds for a little humor to the debate.

Self-Interest Motivates Bloomberg To Stump For Maltese

Rumors may be swirling that Michael Bloomberg may run for re-election as a Democrat but it really is hard to gauge what party he wants to hang his hat on. He recently endorsed Democratic challenger Dennis Shulman for Congress out in New Jersey, but his latest push is for old-time Republican State Senator Serphin Maltese.

From PolitickerNY:

Michael Bloomberg will make his first campaign appearance with Republican State Senator Serf Maltese of Queens, who is in a tight race for re-election against Democrat Joe Addabbo, a City Councilman.

Bloomberg, an independent, has spoken openly about the need to help Republicans maintain their control of the State Senate since Democrats already control the governor's mansion and the Assembly.

The irony here is that Bloomberg's efforts may be undone by Addabbo, who Bloomberg aides encouraged to run two years ago.

Bloomberg makes himself out to look independent with his endorsements of various candidates, but looking at the big picture shows that he is only looking out for #1. He exaggerated New York's fiscal status to scare people into giving him a shot at running for re-election. He is helping Republican Chris Shays in Connecticut, someone who has like-minded constituencies they both enjoy serving. Dennis Shulman is in New Jersey and gives Bloomberg political cover for sticking with Republicans like Maltese back here in New York.

Really when it comes down to it, Bloomberg is trying to hold onto as much power as he can to remake New York into a playground for the rich. With the Republicans holding on to the Senate, a bill that could overrule his term limit gambit would be stuck in the Assembly where it is currently gaining support. Further, a Democratic State Senate is something Bloomberg opposes because it would open the floodgates for legislation that would help New Yorkers other than wealthy developers. So the Mayor will do whatever it takes to keep Republicans in control so that ultimate authority in New York City will continue to rest with him.

Another State Senate Primary Comes To An Early Close

Just two weeks after Jimmy Dahroug dropped out his State Senate campaign in the 3rd district for establishment-favored Brian Foley, Albert Baldeo is letting his primary opponent off to face incumbent Serph Maltese on his own. Baldeo, like Dahroug had run this race before and in this Queens district, had nearly ousted the veteran Maltese, missing by only 800 votes. Now he's throwing his support to Addabbo.

From The Daily Politics:

This is not good news for Maltese, who is one of the Democrats' top targets as they try to take control of the Senate from the GOP this fall. Baldeo had threatened to remain in the general election on a third party line, which could have made a difference in a contest that's expected to be very close.

Baldeo surprised New York Democrats when he nearly toppled Maltese with no assistance whatsoever from the party and made leaders realize just how vulnerable the Queens Republican is.

That is another similarity with Dahroug, who made the establishment take notice of Republican Senator Caesar Trunzo. Though from what I know in the progressive community, Addabbo has had more support than Foley did before Dahroug dropped out. Regardless, we now have two strong Democratic challengers who can knock out Trunzo and Maltese....and make our State Senate blue again.