Let the 2010 games begin

   Anybody who doesn't think the 2010 statewide elections are not under way was not making the rounds around Buffalo on Saturday.
   Not only did Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand make the traditional visit required of all politicians to the Broadway Market, she was joined by Rep. Steve Israel of Long Island, a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee and a potential primary opponent to Gillibrand next year.
   And to top it all off, former Rep. Rick Lazio of Long Island was also in town, speaking to top Republican leaders from around the area as he explores a potential run for governor in 2010.
   There was nothing definite in the actions of any of the visiting politicians on Saturday. None were very anxious to talk about politics. In fact, it just was not a topic of discussion for anyone at this early juncture.
   But they were here, and at least in semi-political mode. Gillibrand met with the Democratic chairmen of the eight Western New York counties and benefited from a $1,000-per-person fundraiser in the Saturn Club organized by Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples, D-Buffalo.
   Israel, meanwhile, had lunch on Friday with Erie County Democratic Chairman Leonard R. Lenihan.
   And Lazio was busy at the Leonard Post in Cheektowaga rekindling long relationships with upstate Republicans.
   It all points to the political fact that while the 2009 campaign has not even begun, preparations for any statewide effort in 2010 have to start now. A campaign across New York is expected to cost tens of millions of dollars, and most observers expect the field to have some clarity by this fall.
   The pols themselves may not be ready to declare the campaign under way yet, but just about all political observers say the starting gun sounded long ago.
   As far as 2010 is concerned, let the games begin.

-- Robert J. McCarthy

Comments

[joseph coia]

Obviously Albany changes are long overdue. My hope is focused on residents who are penalized while putting money into the state. Yet those residents who aren't are receiving more perks. Solving social disruption should be the platform of any would be candidate for a N.Y.S. elected position.

[BobbyCat]

No blog about Doug Turner's excellent and provocative piece on NY pensions?

It's why NY taxpayers are all bleeding green, isn't it?

Is everyone awake?

[Green]

Bobby it's not just NY, MA is in the same position with money being bled out of the system and little being done. That said the politicians raising funds is just part of the game, I'd rather have them doing it through donations than taking more taxpayer funds.

[Jim]

Names to Remember

Our wonderful legislature is planning on passing the following bills on Anti Gun day April 29th.

Assembly Bill 1093, sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-88), would impose new requirements on federally licensed firearm retailers and require that they obtain insurance to cover criminal acts committed after the legal sale of a firearm. The companion bill to AB1093, is Senate Bill 1715, sponsored by State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31).

Assembly Bill 1326, introduced by Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-4), would mandate handguns be equipped with technology which would prevent them from being operated by children. Such firearms would have to include traits that would make it impossible for %u201Can average five year old%u201D to use the gun. For example, guns would have to have a ten pound trigger pull, altered firing mechanism, or %u201Crequire a series of multiple motions in order to fire the pistol or revolver.%u201D

Assembly Bill 2881, sponsored by State Assemblyman David Koon (D-135), would ban the possession and use of "frangible" ammunition. The companion bill for AB2881 is Senate Bill 2379, sponsored by State Senator Frank Padavan (R-11).

Assembly Bill 2882, also sponsored by Assemblyman Koon, requires that any expended projectiles, shell casings, or guns that comes into the possession of law enforcement be submitted to the state police pistol for testing and entry into an electronic ballistic database.

Assembly Bill 5844, authored by State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-20), would enact the "children's weapon accident prevention act" and creates crimes of failure to store a weapon safely and negligent storage. The companion bill for AB5844 is Senate Bill 3098, sponsored by State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31).

In addition, the following two anti-gun measures are currently in the Assembly Codes Committee. Your lawmakers need to hear from you in order to stop this attack on our Second Amendment Rights, as it is very likely that these two bills will be heading to the Assembly Floor in time for %u201CAnti-Gun%u201D bill day as well.

Assembly Bill 3211A, sponsored by State Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington (D-3), would prohibit the sale use or possession of .50 caliber firearms.

Assembly Bill 801A, sponsored by State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-8) would directly target law-abiding pistol license holders by requiring that licenses be renewed every five years. In addition, it would mandate that all applicants outside New York City complete training and a test before a license may be issued. Keep in mind that a license is required in New York State simply to possess a handgun and in many cases licensees are only allowed to keep a handgun in their homes or businesses or to travel to and from the range. This would mean that most qualified New Yorkers could be put through training and a test and still be denied the right to carry a firearm for the purpose of self-defense. If this proposal is approved, gun owners can expect that a process that is already unfair in most parts of the state will become more so. Its companion bill is Senate Bill 1598, sponsored by State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31).
Recap of the Legislators that are writing these bills. (Names to remember)

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-88)Steve Englebright (D-4)State Assemblyman David Koon (D-135) State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-20)Patricia Eddington (D-3)State Senator Frank Padavan (R-11). State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31).

[BobbyCat]

No blog topic about Joe Mesi and Susan Grelick's slushy new jobs???

If not, why not? Isn't that the hot political topic?

If you can't stay topical, what the point of a political blog?

Interesting anti-gun info posted by Jim. Has this info been published elsewhere in the NEWS?