The Congested Money Grab

Congestion pricing for Manhattan will be a big mistake. All it will do is create a new source of tax revenue for politicians to find ways to spend and not reduce congestion. I don't care our Mayor and now Governor are in favor of it. The City Council and State Legislature must oppose this money grab policy that will find its way in increasing our budget by 30% or 40% or whatever. We already have a $60 billion budget, do we need one that is bigger?

I've watched the news showing 3rd Avenue or Times Square during rush hour. What do I see? Cabs. Buses. Trucks. Occasionally, what appears to be a privately owned car heads down the Avenue. Congestion pricing is supposed to deter people from driving on the streets of Manhattan. Well, if it appears all the vehicles are cabs buses, and trucks, which cars are coming off the roads?

If people realized they had to pay $8 a day or twice a day, they'd think long and hard about driving into Manhattan. OK. True. But how will they get here and how will they get around? Cabs? I see cabby fares going up because of this, so I can't imagine an uptick on fare rides. Buses? Subways? OK, this is a problem, because these modes of transportation are already overcrowded, how will more commuters squeeze on these transports?

by Daniel Peterson, Sunday, Mar. 23 | Permalink | Comments (1)

The NY GOP and the Future

New York is in uncharted waters right now with the highest "elected" official being its Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo. Neither the current governor, nor the comptroller was elected by the People. Yes, it is true new governor David A. Paterson was elected as part of the "Spitzer ticket," but Spitzer could’ve chosen any number of people to be his "running mate" and would've won by the same 69% margin.

One can also argue that 90% of our legislative body is "unelected." Many run unopposed every two years and the ones that get a challenger are usually re-elected by a significant margin. The leaders of both Legislative bodies fit this predicament. Speaker Sheldon Silver of the Assembly and Majority Leader Joseph Bruno the Senate never face serious opposition and are re-elected by default.

Right now, a State Budget is due on April 1 and some serious work needs to be done to create a balanced budget. Proposals of tax increases are being made to cover the spending increases. Little is being done about spending cuts. Governor Paterson has some real work cut out for him. Most New Yorkers should be worried, because he comes from the liberal belief of raising taxes and fees to cover spending shortfalls. Liberals never stop to think that if you raise taxes on the highest earners, these residents may simply move across the river to avoid the tax. Also, raising taxes doesn't help in the property tax issue that burdens the upstate economy. What business wants to move into Elmira or Syracuse, Buffalo or Rochester, if the business climate is unfriendly to your business?

by Daniel Peterson, Tuesday, Mar. 18 | Permalink | Comments (0)

MTA puts commuters’ safety at risk

I have many issues with the MTA, but there is one that has popped up this past week and I believe a serious issue with regards to public safety.

I take the L train across town to get to my job. I get on at 6th Avenue and head eastbound to get off at 1st Avenue. Lots of people get off at 1st Avenue – many of them are teenagers going to school, some are hospital workers with Beth Israel. In addition to the eastbound trains, the recent residential boom in Williamsburg, Greenpoint and other neighborhoods along the L train route has increased foot traffic arriving on the westbound side.

by Daniel Peterson, Tuesday, Mar. 11 | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Post-Spitzer Era

Right now, many Democrats and Republicans are trying to predict the outlook for their respective parties in the 2008 and 2010 elections.

Quietly, some Democrats who have ambitions for the governorship, like General Andrew Cuomo, already have planners for propping up the Attorney General's image and putting him in line for being the big name in 2010. Will voters be receptive to moving two Attorney Generals to the governorship in back-to-back elections?

Mayor Michael Bloomberg may have had an interest in challenging Eliot Spitzer in 2010, but if Andrew Cuomo runs, would be now reconsider?

And the renewed hope with the dwindling Republican Party of the State. How should they expect voters to respond to its party?

by Daniel Peterson, Tuesday, Mar. 11 | Permalink | Comments (1)

What Should (or Could) Have Been… Done?

As a New Yorker, I encountered many supporters for Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He was endorsed by the Queens Republican County Committee and the Brooklyn Young Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno was backing the former mayor and was rallying his troops, so that his hold of the State Senate will remain and hopefully increase this November.

Unfortunately, the support will now have to shift to on of the remaining candidates and I’m seeing it split between the two front-runners. The Queens GOP is now backing Sen. John McCain. Many District Leaders in Manhattan have jumped onboard with Gov. Mitt Romney. All of this could have been avoided if Giuliani and his advisors chose a better strategy than the “Florida or bust” strategy.

What was the Rudy Giuliani strategy?

by Daniel Peterson, Sunday, Feb. 3 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Inevitability Never Comes Early

Back in the Fall of 2006, I was at a fundraiser for Rich Wager, one of our candidates for congress in New York. I met a man who used to be involved in the Urban Republican Coalition, which was started by our club's former chairman, Robert Hornak. After mentioning I was president of the New York Young Republican Club, we got into a conversation about our candidates. He definitely appeared as someone who has spent more years in political circles than I have, so I thought it would be insightful to who believes our best candidate is.

He asked me, "Who are you supporting? Giuliani?"

I simply replied that I have not backed a candidate yet, because it was too early for me to decide, when our primary isn't until February 5.

"There's no point in looking at the other candidates," he said, "because Rudy is going to be the Republican nominee."

by Daniel Peterson, Sunday, Feb. 3 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Clinton: From Conservative Pro-Choice to Liberal Pro-Choice

This past week, we have heard Senator Clinton attack Senator Obama's record on abortion. The attacks argued that Senator Obama's voting record isn't far enough to the left!

I seem to recall Senator Clinton making a speech on abortion saying it should be "safe, legal, but rare." Now she's saying she's for abortions for anyone, everyone and anytime and Senator Obama is not.

These are sounds of desperation.
From the Democratic front-runner.
Yes. The front-runner.
Sure, the senator from Illinois is doing well here and there, but Senator Clinton pretty much has the delegates in the states to win.
Why do things that would make you lose these delegates?
Why are you letting your foolish husband go around and say foolish things?

by Daniel Peterson, Sunday, Jan. 20 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Everyone's a Winner! And that's a Good Thing

Governor Mike Huckabee won the Iowa Caucus.
Governor Mitt Romney won the Wyoming Caucus.
Senator John McCain won the New Hampshire Primary.

It seems the Republican voter can't make up its mind who should be our nominee. And that's a good thing. The NYYRC has been saying all along that when we run candidates for local office in New York City, the more the merrier. If there ends up being a primary, great. If not, let our candidates say what they believe and not espouse the party rhetoric of what they believe will win votes.

Upcoming Outcomes.
It would be nice to see Governor Mitt Romeny win a significant race and take Michigan.
To keep our field of candidates at six, we cross our fingers Sen. Fred Thompson takes South Carolina.
And though Huckabee is putting up a good fight, we want to see Mayor Rudy Giuliani win Florida.

This should keep our field of candidates at six - Rep. Ron Paul won't drop out and plans to stay on through the convention - and it should be exciting to see all six go into the 22 State Super Tuesday on February 5.

by Daniel Peterson, Sunday, Jan. 13 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Governor Spitzer is now a Sophomore

Republicans sort of knew they did not have a chance to stop the tidal wave that Attorney General Eliot Spitzer rode in on. It also wouldn't make sense to get behind the GOP candidate, because that would've diverted resources to Gov. Pataki's Presidential Campaign.

Well, a lot can be said in the last two years. There was more to the 2008 Presidential race than ethanol. A year under Governor Spitzer gave Republicans many topics to bark at. What will all this mean for 2008?

There are two key points Republicans have to consider for 2008.

by Daniel Peterson, Sunday, Jan. 13 | Permalink | Comments (0)

A different Winner up until February 5th?

By now, it's pretty certain that we will see the three leading Democrats continue on through February 5th. As long as your campaign has cash, you don't drop out for the sake of giving up. Plus, John Edwards could win in South Carolina, which would make the Democrat side as interesting as the Republican side.

But the it's not as interesting as the Republican side. Mike Huckabee won Iowa. Mitt Romney won the insignificant Wyoming (sorry guys). John McCain won New Hampshire. There's talk that Romney could win Michigan and Fred Thompson tops out over Huckabee in South Carolina. Where does that leave us here in New York for February 5th?

by Daniel Peterson, Wednesday, Jan. 9 | Permalink | Comments (1)