DePrisco Releases Statement Regarding Carlucci's Involvement in the Independent Democratic Conference
Pearl River, NY -- (10/11/16) Tom DePrisco, candidate for the 38th Senate District in New York, today released a statement regarding Senator David Carlucci's involvement in the Independent Democratic Conference.
Pearl River, NY -- (10/11/16) Tom DePrisco, candidate for the 38th Senate District in New York, today released a statement regarding Senator David Carlucci's involvement in the Independent Democratic Conference.
"My opponent has been a member of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) during much of his tenure in the Senate. He joined four other Democrats (three of whom primarily represent New York City) as a coalition working closely with and caucusing with Senate Republicans. This premise is supposed to provide for a governing deal which enables Republicans to maintain control of the Senate while allowing the Senate to pass legislation that should benefit all New Yorkers. This group of senators may feel all powerful and influential but what exactly has this arrangement done for Rockland and Westchester Counties?
As a matter of fact, my opponent proposed legislation early in 2015 to provide additional funding and a monitor with veto power. Now with all the IDC influence and power, he failed to convince the Senate leadership to allow this necessary legislation to be voted on. In June 2015, my opponent and the IDC still failed to convince the Senate to appropriate $5 million per year for three years to begin helping the severely deprived public school students of East Ramapo thus worsening their condition. One year later in June 2016, legislation was passed providing only $3 million for one year but with oversight from the Education Commissioner. Was this the best that my opponent and his friends in the IDC could do for East Ramapo?
It must be noted that before the 2014 Senate elections, hoping to appease angry Democrats, my opponent, and his IDC colleagues publicly stated that they would no longer caucus with the Republican leadership. After the elections, they broke their pledge and continued working with the Republican leadership. This is what my opponent stated in a Journal News OpEd on December 1, 2014, while explaining why he broke his pledge:
“There is still so much more work to do and the issues we face in the Hudson Valley are far too important to allow partisan politics to corrupt our progress. The children of the East Ramapo school district and parents of all schools demand more. These concerns cannot wait until the next election cycle.”
Well, two full legislative years have passed, and our school districts still have not received their promised Foundation Aid nor has there been a long-term resolution for East Ramapo. Enough of his empty words and promises!
New Yorkers don’t need my opponent’s IDC to provide long-term relief for East Ramapo or increased education aid. We need a leader who, furnished with relevant data, expertise, and a sound strategy, can readily negotiate and convince the entire state legislature to commit to increased education aid and a viable long-term resolution for East Ramapo. That leader is me. These are not empty words; I will act."
Tom DePrisco is a resident of Pearl River. He serves as the Vice President of the Pearl River School District School Board and the Rockland County School Boards Association. For more information visit www.TomDePrisco.com.
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- Has my opponent’s coalition provided the budgeted and promised increased Education Foundation Aid for our school districts? NO!
- Has my opponent’s coalition adequately safeguarded and preserved the character and quality of lives within all of our communities? NO!
- Has my opponent’s coalition provided complete and comprehensive ethics reform? NO!
- Has my opponent’s coalition provided a long-term relief plan for the East Ramapo School District? NO!
As a matter of fact, my opponent proposed legislation early in 2015 to provide additional funding and a monitor with veto power. Now with all the IDC influence and power, he failed to convince the Senate leadership to allow this necessary legislation to be voted on. In June 2015, my opponent and the IDC still failed to convince the Senate to appropriate $5 million per year for three years to begin helping the severely deprived public school students of East Ramapo thus worsening their condition. One year later in June 2016, legislation was passed providing only $3 million for one year but with oversight from the Education Commissioner. Was this the best that my opponent and his friends in the IDC could do for East Ramapo?
It must be noted that before the 2014 Senate elections, hoping to appease angry Democrats, my opponent, and his IDC colleagues publicly stated that they would no longer caucus with the Republican leadership. After the elections, they broke their pledge and continued working with the Republican leadership. This is what my opponent stated in a Journal News OpEd on December 1, 2014, while explaining why he broke his pledge:
“There is still so much more work to do and the issues we face in the Hudson Valley are far too important to allow partisan politics to corrupt our progress. The children of the East Ramapo school district and parents of all schools demand more. These concerns cannot wait until the next election cycle.”
Well, two full legislative years have passed, and our school districts still have not received their promised Foundation Aid nor has there been a long-term resolution for East Ramapo. Enough of his empty words and promises!
New Yorkers don’t need my opponent’s IDC to provide long-term relief for East Ramapo or increased education aid. We need a leader who, furnished with relevant data, expertise, and a sound strategy, can readily negotiate and convince the entire state legislature to commit to increased education aid and a viable long-term resolution for East Ramapo. That leader is me. These are not empty words; I will act."
Tom DePrisco is a resident of Pearl River. He serves as the Vice President of the Pearl River School District School Board and the Rockland County School Boards Association. For more information visit www.TomDePrisco.com.
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