State leaders in the greater Syracuse, Binghamton, and Utica-Rome regions saw some high and some low scores when Unshackle Upstate, a business group, released its 2011-2012 legislative scorecards today.
The scorecards grade legislators on their legislative and budget votes as well as sponsorships of targeted bills during the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions.
Assemblyman Sam Roberts, a Democrat from district 119, was among the area’s low-scorers, with a rating of 40 out of a possible 100 points. Unshackle Upstate dinged the representative, whose district includes Salina, DeWitt and parts of Syracuse, for supporting a minimum wage increase and the suspension of hydraulic fracturing.
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Roberts did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his grade.
Assemblyman Brian Kolb, a Republican from district 129, scored on the other end of the spectrum, receiving 93 out of 100 points from Unshackle, which noted that Kolb did not support any legislation that would have slowed down the state’s economy.
In the greater Binghamton region, Assemblyman Gary Finch, a Republican from district 123, scored 93 out of 100 for voting against measures to increase the minimum wage and suspend hydraulic fracturing and for sponsoring legislation such as the Power NY Act 2011. Power NY is an omnibus energy package that encourages new investments in electric generating facilities across New York.
Donna Lupardo, a Democrat representing district 126, didn’t fare as well, scoring 58 out of 100 points. Unshackle noted that Lupardo supported several measures it opposed including increasing the minimum wage and suspending hydraulic fracturing. Lupardo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In the Utica-Rome area, Republican Assemblyman Marc Butler of district 117 was among the low scorers with a grade of 62 out of 100 for his support of the suspension of hydraulic fracturing and his vote against the Power NY Act 2011. Unshackle did note Butler’s support of the spending cap act to put a limit on state spending.
State Sen. James Seward, a Republican representing the 51st district, which includes portions of the Utica-Rome area and the Southern Tier, was among the state’s high scorers, receiving 94 out of 100. Unshackle cited his votes in favor of the Power NY Act, property-tax caps, and best value for public works as well as his sponsorship of legislation to cap property taxes, establish an unemployment base period, and to eliminate corporate franchise tax on manufacturing for his high score.
“As primary and election day draw near, it’s very important for taxpayers to have a comprehensive guide that shows which legislators have truly dedicated themselves to unlocking New York’s economic potential,” Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate, said in a release. “We’re encouraged to see that many legislators have responded to their constituents by supporting two consecutive fiscally responsible state budgets and several pro-taxpayer initiatives such as the 2 percent property tax cap and pension reform.”
In general, Sampson said, the scorecard grades are higher than those handed out in 2010.
Louis Santoni, president and CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, encouraged people to check how their area representatives scored.
“The Unshackle Upstate scorecard serves as an important benchmark for the progress made in Albany over the last two years,” he said in a release. “Increasing scores signal that our legislators are starting to understand the challenges confronting businesses and taxpayers.”
The full listing of legislators and their scores is available online at http://ow.ly/d9DjR.
Contact DeLore at tdelore@tmvbj.com
