TIMES BEACON ENDORSEMENT

While incumbent Assemblyman Marc Alessi

and current county Legislator Dan Losquadro

agree on many issues — including the MTA payroll

tax, the desire to change the school aid formula

and the support of a tax cap — it seems that not

much is changing in Albany.

We applaud Alessi’s willingness to speak out

against government corruption, his passion for

alternative energy and his ideas about incentivizing

companies to come to New York through tax

credits. However we think it’s time for some real

solutions for the state and for Long Island.

Alessi has served in the Assembly for the last

fi ve years and, while one person cannot be blamed

for an entire state’s problems, it seems that our current

assemblyman is great at talking about the solutions

— and he has some great ones — but hasn’t

been able to do much to implement them, even

with the help of a Democratic majority. For this

reason we are endorsing Legislator Dan Losquadro

for Assembly in the 1st District.

At the county level Losquadro has proven to be

an eff ective leader and truly understands how to

attract new businesses and foster existing ones. If

he takes this experience and knowledge to the state

level — as well as continuing his commitment to

the environment and land preservation, lowering

taxes and working within the constraints of a budget

— we are confi dent New York and Long Island

will be closer to economic stability in the years to

come.

LOSQUADRO TO ALESSI: STOP DODGING YOUR REAL, FAILED RECORD

Assembly candidate Dan Losquadro today said his opponent should stop dodging his Albany record and tell the truth to the constituents of the 1st Assembly district.

“The voters of the 1st Assembly district don’t want to re-elect someone who has raised taxes and fees over 40 times during an economic crisis,” Losquadro said.   “It is wrong and misleading for my opponent to dodge his real record and represent himself to voters as a fiscal conservative, which couldn’t be further from the truth.”

As the North Fork’s representative in the state Assembly, Marc Alessi voted 45 times to increase taxes and fees by $6.6 billion on everything from salt water fishing licenses to back to school clothing and bottled water.  Alessi also voted to eliminate the STAR rebate check program, cut aid to Long Island schools by $173 million and slash funding for economic development by $450 million in this year’s state budget. 

“The North Fork deserves better,” Losquadro said.  “Long Island needs representatives in state government who will stand up and fight for their interests, instead of kowtowing to the Albany political bosses.  That’s why I am running for Assembly.  The North Fork needs a voice in the ‘people’s chamber’ who will be an advocate for their needs and interests.  I will be that representative.”

Losquadro remarked that as Assemblyman, he would work to repeal the job-killing MTA tax, cut and cap property taxes and ensure that Long Island schools receive their fair share of school aid.  Losquadro also pledged to lead the fight to bring fiscal responsibility to Albany by capping state spending, banning borrowing without voter consent and require a 2/3rds vote for any and all tax increases.

“For too long, Marc Alessi has voted with his party leadership – 92% of the time -- to the detriment of Long Island and the benefit of New York City,” Losquadro said.  “This needs to change -- Long Island taxpayers deserve better.”