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>> The state of the government in Albany gets full ventilation
as we invite candidates to debate the issues.-
Stick around for this special "Need to Know."-
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[Captioning Made Possible by the U.S. Department of Education]-
(For "Need to Know")-
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>> Candidates seeking to represent the 129th district in the
state assembly will talk about the issues important to our
region and to our state.-
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>> Thanks for being with us.-
I'm Michael Caputo.-
Those running for any seat know what they are getting into.-
Budgets have been late for generations finger pointing is the
norm and yet there are still those willing to get into the
assembly Chambers and work at making state government work.-
We have three such people today hoping to represent a districts
that spans five counties from Ontario to Onandaga county.-
With us is the incumbent BRIAN KOLB run on the Republican and
conservative lines.-
Also is ELLEN POLIMENI the challenger workology on the
democratic.-
We have Tom fox the challenger returning on the independence
party line.-
He is the former sheriff of Seneca county.-
The rules are basic.-
Respectful discourse.-
We will alternate who receives the question first.-
We will allow time for rebuttal and we will keep track of time
so candidates have roughly even amounts.-
We are happy to have JOSEPH SPECTOR a political reporter for
the Democrat and chronicle.-
He will ask the initial question.-
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>> Thank you.-
The candidates.-
One of the biggest issues is the veterans affairs hospital and
while it is expected to stay open there's an effort to rent out
pieces of the facility for nonveteran use.-
I wonder what you thought of that and what your vision is?-
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>> We will go to BRIAN KOLB first.-
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>> First of all, Joe, the fight is not over for the hospital.-
There is still a lot of uncertainty.-
I attended a meeting last night attended by many veterans who
are concerned about the hospital.-
There is not a committee formed by the secretary of set ran
affairs, other changes being made in the internal working of
the hospital that seem to be moving patient care out of the
hospital shall we say behind the scenes.-
So it very much a major concern.-
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>> Is there anything about the facility?-
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>> In terms of laws it doesn't distract them and certainly
farce that is something that the committee will have input on.-
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>> I spoke with the secretary this past Monday because I was
concerned about the committee which was to be named earlier and
he assured me that he signed off on the naming of the committee
as he explained it to me it is somewhere in the pipeline as far
as it being made public.-
He assured me that it contained both people from the private
sector and people from the elected offices.-
And if we look at the report, one of the stipulations in the
report was that the committee in particular, in addition to --
certainly we want to be sure the primary focus is service.-
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>> I think it shows that there is a continued cooperation we
have to have with our own local ledge Appalachian and the
federal legislature.-
The more the town meeting what could be done or needs to be
done with the facility certainly is investment.-
Unfortunately is a difficult election year to get honest
answers.-
So as far as where it going to go I would be more confident
after November 5 or 6 than today.-
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>> I guess I would ask the assemblymen whether you would
support renting out portions of facility.-
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>> I think that the connection to the veterans issues would be
paramount and we certainly have an E.M.S. training program
there.-
I think that can work in conjunction with the services already
there.-
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>> Yes, as long as it doesn't discrepancy dies the service to
veterans, yes, I would support it.-
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>> We have questions we went around it Canandaiga and asked
some people to ask questions to you and we have a question
right new from Paul Gordon, a Democrat from Canandaiga.-
Why don't we watch the question and you can go from there.-
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>> I will ask what they think they can do to, number one, get
the state government to do their budget on time and to reduce
the taxes, maybe for people who can't afford them any more.-
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>> Mrs. POLIMENI, a budget on time, what can you do?-
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>> I know that the legislature this past year passed a bill
calling for an on time budget.-
It has to happen two years in a row and then it becomes a
referendum item.-
I support that has gone.-
But I feel that -- I support that happening.-
They have to take responsibility at the local level.-
If we didn't pass the budget on time we would be out of
office.-
We are held to different accountability level at the local
level and we have to hold the state officials to the same
level.-
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>> Certainly budget reform has been at the top of the list
since I have been in office.-
As everyone knows you have to have both jorlingts and both
houses agree on any piece of legislation.-
This year was the first time they have been able to get both
house toss agree on a budget reform piece.-
It will take more than that, I believe.-
I think we should look at term limit for legislative here
because you can vote an individual out of office and -- -
>> You could vote.-
Why do you need term limits?-
The body can vote somebody out.-
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>> The body, if the majority can vote them out but I voted
against Shelly silver being speaker, yet because New York
City's delegation which controls the majority elects him you
have no control.-
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>> I think that is a perfect example of the dysfunction of the
government of Alban any.-
It not only just silver it is Bruno is involved.-
It has to be changed and addressed.-
Granted a constitutional amendment is the way to look at it.-
Implementing the budget perhaps if not by a certain date it
will be implemented but perhaps an additional increase of the
cost of living index.-
Consumer price.-
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>> Let me add in regard to budget reform that was passed.-
The perception it not being sent to the governor before
election because there's a fear a he will veto it.-
>> Would you be for -- -
>> I have said this repeatedly.-
I will only vote for leaders who are going to support the
financial change the way the assembly does business.-
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>> Are you willing to vote [inaudible] -
>> Fending on the substantial change, yes.-
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>> Because anyone that is getting funding from Shelly silver is
saying I'm going to have to evaluate when I get there.-
Clearly he has been the speaker the last 10 years.-
He needs to go.-
I would not support him and that is a key element of one of the
things we have been talking about this campaign is the calling
for reform, can't hedge your bets.-
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>> I'm going to follow up by asking you your view, you are in
the minority in the assembly.-
How can you affect change as a minority?-
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>> We effect change all the time.-
One key reason we are talking about reform is the minority has
been pushing for it for careers.-
We had petitions for thousands of people to sign across the
state.-
We have introduced legislation, who is tile amendments to get
people to understand this more of an issue.-
Now this career now that the media is deciding in this is cool
issue get behind now the Democrats and majority are talking
about it.-
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>> The same to you, Mr. fox.-
You would be an island there if you were to be elected.-
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>> I wouldn't be beholden to anyone.-
Continuing difficult as far as changing the legislation the way
we do business.-
Until we start changing that it is only making a decision that
that you are funding by a political party it won't change and
why hasn't it changed up until now this every career at
election career we are going to change it but nothing changed.-
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>> This summer a report came out in the center for justice that
called New York the most dysfunctional legislature in the
country and had a variety of reform measures to implement and
make it more open and allow for more dialogue and debate.-
I want to find out what the three of you, if you agree with
those reform measures and if you are elected and go to Albany
is it realistic that they will be implemented?-
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>> Well, I have already come out as soon as the report came
out.-
But what is more important is all the changes that they
recommended we had already been pushing for part of the
assembly.-
So these are not new ideas.-
We have been pushing for them and half of the changes can be
made without having both houses agree.-
It is within how each party works.-
The assembly can have -- it like making sure you vote.-
The committees.-
Bringing a bill to the floor.-
All of of that is internal stuff and can be changed by rule.-
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>> I have heard incumbent say they can enforce some of them.-
Mrs. POLIMENI would you be in fund-raiser of all of the changes
versus some of the changes?-
What is the level of support?-
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>> First, I made the decision to run this spring long before
the press was talking about it because as the mayor of
Canandaiga and president of the New York state conference of
mayors we have dealt with this dysfunction for long time and
the only way to change it is if there are changes in rules and
procedures in the legislature.-
In the Brennan report, thank is good start.-
I think there have been other suggestions made.-
I think that fix Albany, I don't know if you have looked at
that website but they have great suggestions about changes to
be made.-
And I think we've got to support the change and if -- as Tom
was saying every career it comes up.-
98% of the team return and therefore no change happens.-
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>> [inaudible] -
>> Brian may have fought against it.-
But not sufficiently make things change.-
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>> I think Brian has fought against the system.-
I think unfortunately he got dragged in the political powers
that will be telling Brian what do.-
He may have been one great fighter for us, but unfortunately
supposing when the governor calms why why are they calling
because they need a favor and again Ellen may have lots of
money in her fund, the Republicans are giving money that
Brian's fund in the thousands and hundreds of thousands.-
How do you say no the Republicans or Democrats or either one
when this continues.-
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>> You wanted the Republican nomination.-
Wouldn't you have been in the same position?-
?-
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>> I doubt it, no.-
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>> You would have been able -- Brian, how does -- -
>> Playing high school basketball pulse you in God shape for
one-on-one drill.-
The charges are just not so.-
When the governor and the senate Republican leader asked me to
reconsider it was because they believed I was the best person
for the job to help the district.-
And it was my decision and my decision only to make that
decision to go forward.-
In terms of money from the political parties, whether it is
Ellen's race or my race or anybody else's race, the Republicans
and democratic parties have always gotten involved with
contested seats.-
So, this not an unusual circumstance.-
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>> Ellen, do you want to follow up?-
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>> I certainly am taking money from the democratic party just
as Brian takes money from the Republican party.-
But I'm also -- I raised a great deal of money from both
Republicans, Democrats and independents in my race.-
And I'm very proud of that fact.-
And I'm very proud of the bipartisan support.-
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>> We have another question from a citizen.-
This is a gentlemen named Ken gelvin a Republican from
Canandaiga.-
It is a jobs and economy question.-
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>> As a shawl business owner I would like to ask ELLEN POLIMENI
and assemblyman Kolb what would you do for Main Street America
or New York state as far as small towns or small is cities
against the malls and Wal-Mart in particular?-
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>> Mr. fox, I want to ask you this.-
He is basically voicing what you may here in Geneva or other
small villages and the city of Canandaiga.-
How do the people on Main Street, how does the state government
help them competitive against Wal-Mart?-
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>> I think we have become a very unfriendly business state.-
The demands for small business and they are the meat and
potatoes of our economy.-
But until you take an eye on them.-
I know firsthand, I see that, the continued increases this fees
imposed, or compensation insurance, health insurance.-
If the state is imposing because they got themselves in such a
deep rut, the only way to raise funds is increase fees.-
We increased everything but air and I'm sure the group is going
to figure out a way to do that shortly.-
So, again until that is changed we are not going to have the
jobs and things that we need to change that.-
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>> I happen to know Ken and I happen to know he does have a
successful small business on Main Street.-
And I think that what government can do is be supportive as
possible for small businesses.-
And in situations like a downtown Canandaiga or Seneca falls,
or Waterloo, supporting initiatives the business community
brings to us and in Canandaiga right now we are looking at
providing some services for wireless internet connections in
the downtown air.-
And things lick that will increase the amount of activity on
the Main Street.-
That is how we brought the New York state conference of mayors
to Canandaiga for two years in the last decade as a result of
the fact that we are supportive of business and I think that
can be translated to the upstate level.-
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>> Mr. Kolb talk to that.-
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>> In Canandaiga which I know I eat hot dogs occasionally but
the bottom line is the government needs to get going.-
The organization in support says they are taxing too much.-
We are not doing enough.-
That one of the top issues for businesses across New York
state.-
In terms of looking at the record, the highest voting record in
support of small business.-
I have fought against the taxes and voted against taxes and fee
increases that Tom referred to.-
These are the sorts things that we talk about, when you talk
about a record and issues not everybody in the state, not
everybody at the legislature, not all of us as individual
legislators are row pots or clones.-
Some of us have been fighting the fight down there in terms of
those tax and spending.-
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>> I think another thing we can do is we can stop supporting
businesses which outsource jobs.-
We can stop support of businesses that send jobs out of the
state, out of the country.-
And I think Brian has voted for that in the past.-
I think we also can look at expansion and reform -- -
>> What do you mean he voted for it in the past?-
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>> Supported legislation this allows the outsourcing of jocks.-
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>> That is not accurate.-
Basically, the fact you refer to an exact bill that I voted for
where authorities wanted to outsource call centers outside the
state and I said no, I voted for supporting to make sure that
keep their call centers in New York state.-
The bill she is talking about is one of the comprehensive
budget bill packages which also had the empire state
development program and there were 10 other piece was it that
made it a bad legislation.-
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>> On the Main Street theme, there's been a lot of effort to
happy vacancies including near the lake.-
Ms. POLIMENI what is your vision in terms of redeveloping the
lake?-
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>> Well, the parts that are vacant right now are owned by
private owners and we actually have a group of local
businessmen who have done a study that they are about to make
public regarding uses for that lake area.-
And I was very proud of the fact that they took it upon
themselves to finance the study to be done and I'm hopeful that
that will bring forth ideas.-
But as far as the lake front, the -- -
>> I would like you to address that.-
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>> On that end I would have to work with the mayor or the other
legislative leaders in the community.-
129th district is a pretty big district and there are a lot of
things to look at not only on Canandaiga lake but Seneca and so
on.-
You -- I'm a very firm believer in the team effect, working
with the community and the legislature and the people.-
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>> I have been hearing a lot about taxes, cutting taxes.-
I want to ask, give me one thing off the bat that you would cut
out of the state budget.-
Right off the bat.-
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>> Sheldon silver and Brunoment -
>> Their salaries or what?-
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>> Both them.-
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>> What programs would you cut to enact broader tax cuts?-
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>> I don't know if it needs to be cut.-
They need to be looked at and reviewed because there is so much
abuse and there are good programs but they are unfunded
programs that are dumped back on the local community to pay.-
Health care cost is a great program.-
But a politician dreams it up, gets the votement says here on
tear yes, Monroe, you pay for it.-
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>> Mr. Kolb, I will ask you the same question.-
Give me one program.-
Money, that you would cut to finance further reactions in
taxes?-
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>> The first program we have to look at Medicaid.-
Our Medicaid program is larger than any other program in the
United States.-
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>> Except you would be taking on more of that.-
You would still be taking on more cost.-
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>> The reform piece has cost containment measures in the entire
proposal.-
We are the only conference this came up in black and white and
said New York state needs it take over the Medicaid program and
these are the types of programs we have to look at in terms of
cost containment.-
Medicaid is the largest unfunded mandated program that we have
in New York state that comes from the federal government.-
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>> Mrs. POLIMENI, you get the same question.-
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>> That's fine.-
I think the pork barrel spending has to be curtailed.-
And I think if that were applied to the other parts of
government we would see a significant effect.-
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>> Would you reject member items?-
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>> Would I reject them if everybody else is taking them?-
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>> Yes.-
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>> I would like to see a majority of the people there agree and
if the whole group as opposed to one person.-
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>> [inaudible] -
>> Would you reject it -
>> Yes.-
We are -- if we are distributing them as we currently are, no,
it would be irresponsible for me not to bring part of the taxes
that my residents are paying.-
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>> We spoke earlier about budget reform and reforming Albany.-
Some are calling for voters to vote out all of incumbents.-
Others say it is not so much the incumbent it structural
changes that need fixing.-
I wanted to ask you folks if you feel it is an issue with
incumbent or the system?-
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>> Well, to take back again I think we discussed this before.-
I think it is a combination of both.-
The incumbent and system.-
We are not going to see that change until we get the people out
that are not going to agree it make the change as the Brennan
report wanted.-
And I think we need to report that report.-
The fact of pork barrel, money being given away like candy.-
Everybody is saying how much can you bring home.-
That needs to be changed.-
It is not about what you can bring home.-
You give me the money but show me the receipt.-
We need it on an internet system and see the money accounted
for.-
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>> Ms. POLIMENI I'm going to follow up.-
You would be in the minority.-
So how do you feel about vote them all out?-
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>> Well, I do feel that every election, every two years this
comes up and every two careers we return 90% of the people that
are already there.-
Change is not occurring.-
So, I feel only way we are going to see change is to change the
people who represent our district.-
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>> Change, you would be this the minority.-
The -- -
>> Again, I have a history of working with both sides of the
aisle and I would certainly hope that that could happen this
Alban any.-
Again, we have got to see Albany function differently from the
way that it has for the past two decades.-
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>> I would not vote for getting rid of all of incumbent.-
It no different from any organization not for profit.-
You have problems with an organization you don't throw out
everyone that works for it.-
You throw out the people that are not doing the job and when
you look at the leadership in both houses in terms of trying to
make sure reform gets done it has to an priority or the leaders
have to go.-
The two majorities that have been in control, Republicans in
the national, Democrats in the assembly, I think full bore the
attention should be spent on them.-
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>> Would you tell your Republican colleagues in the senate to
vote out Bruno?-
If he didn't do a reform package, absolutely.-
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>> What has he done so far?-
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>> He has done a reform package but the difficulty whether it
is legislature or a budget both houses have to agree to the
exact word before a bill is passed.-
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>> We have a few minutes left.-
I want it ask one question about -- -
>> Can I say one thing.-
I have to rest my case.-
Brian made statement, the same thing that Ellen has been saying
about doing the job with silver.-
Ellen wouldn't commit to throwing silver out nor would Brian
commit throwing Bruno out.-
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>> I said I would if he didn't do the reform package.-
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>> I'm not giving you an if.-
I support anything to get rid of both.-
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>> Mrs. POLIMENI he raises a point.-
Where does it lie?-
Where is the line drawn this -
>> The line gets drawn on substantive change in the way we do
business.-
I think it is with the rules and procedures, deals with the
stipulations from the Brennan report.-
Those have to be taking place.-
If they are not taking place, thing I feel we need different
leadership.-
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>> You have to look at the record.-
You can make speeches all day but you have to look at the
record of how people voted.-
In the assembly, which we are running for the assembly, not the
Senate here, I have vote for reform.-
Shelly silver until this year has never pace passed a budget
reform.-
When I you was first elected one had 126 co-sponsors for a
budget reform and that is enough to carry any votes.-
He would not let her bring the bill to the floor for a vote.-
That is a problem.-
And that is what has to change.-
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>> There's so much going on in Albany with the politics.-
227 bills that were passed in the last session still sit and
have not gone to the governor.-
And that is the fault of both sides.-
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>> That part of the problem because you can create a bill
knowing it won't go to the floor.-
I mean all does is puff yourself up and you can see what a
great job I did.-
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>> Throw the bums out on every level is what you are saying?-
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>> If they don't go along with the past and present
requirements of change I say they have to go.-
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>> That will have to be the last word.-
I thank you very much for being here and Joe SPECTOR.-
You are invited to join.-
Email us at NEEDTOKNOW@WXXI.org or calm us at 258-0250.-
All that remains is election night.-
Wxxi television and radio will be on the air live Tuesday and
Wednesday with updates of the analysis and races.-
We will see you then.-