By DAN HEATH
Staff Writer
PLATTSBURGH — Local state legislators scored well when a bi-partisan coalition of more than 80 business and trade organizations released its 2010 Legislative Scorecards.
Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) ranked first among the 62 state senators in scorecards released by Unshackle Upstate.
Assemblywomen Janet Duprey (R-Peru) and Teresa Sayward (R-Willsboro) ranked 23rd and 25th, respectively, among the 150 members of the Assembly.
RANKING BASIS
Legislators were scored based on legislative and budget votes and also received credit for sponsorship of bills the coalition supports.
They lost points for sponsorship of bills the group opposed.
Scores could range from 100 to negative 15.
During a conference call, Unshackle Upstate Executive Director Brian Sampson said the scorecards are intended to help voters identify which legislators acted in the best interests of taxpayers.
"We are the largest special-interest group in the state of New York, yet probably the least represented," he said.
BUSINESS, JOBS FOCUS
Little said she was pleased with the recognition. Even though she is running unopposed this year, she is still out campaigning and hearing how frustrated voters are with the chaos in the State Legislature.
Little said she's spent a lot of time talking with business owners about rules and regulations they find overly burdensome.
"I think that helps my understanding of these issues," she said.
In parts of her district, such as the Queensbury and Plattsburgh areas, people are able to work to create jobs. In the Adirondack Park portion, government remains the biggest employer, which makes for unhealthy growth, Little said. Those areas need more private-sector jobs.
"Certainly everyone in the state will benefit if the tax and regulatory structure is changed to allow the private sector to create jobs," she said.
Little finished with 90 points of a possible 100.
PROTECTION
Sayward also was happy with her ranking.
"I'm pleased Unshackle Upstate scored us by how we voted."
A lot of what they based scores on had to do with business issues, Sayward said.
"I think that's why I did as well as I did."
She didn't support the farm worker protection bill, which would have required farmers to provide overtime pay, unemployment insurance and collective bargaining. Farmers already have enough trouble making a profit, Sayward said, and the bill didn't take into account that they often provide workers with room and board.
"This was one of the worst bills I've ever seen. I believe it will rear its head again."
She finished with 74 out of a possible 100 points.
EMPATHY FOR BUSINESS
Duprey said she was happy to see her efforts on behalf of businesses recognized.
"I certainly have an empathy for all businesses, particularly small businesses and how they struggle," she said. "It's an awareness I take down there (to Albany)."
Duprey said she doesn't support a bill that would allow any individual to bring an action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. She said the courts have established a fair standard for who can bring such actions.
"Allowing any person who is opposed to a project to file more litigation could delay indefinitely construction projects throughout the North Country where SEQRA review is often required," Duprey said. "We can't continue to place additional burdens on private contractors and small-business owners who provide jobs to local workers and stimulate the economy by providing those jobs."
She finished with 75 out of a possible 100 points.
OPPONENTS WEIGH IN
David Kimmel, the Cadyville resident who plans to run against Duprey as the Conservative Party candidate in the upcoming election, said that her rating is not good enough, given the state's difficult business climate.
"We don't need a C grade on a bell-shaped curve. This is not the kind of performance that's going to fix the New York economy," he said.
Rudy Johnson of Malone, the Democratic candidate for the seat, said his stance on taxation has been made clear.
"We pay too much in taxes, especially property taxes, and we need to get that under control."
Johnson said he hadn't looked at how the scores were determined.
"If that's where she rated, good for her," he said.
ENDORSEMENTS PLANNED
The scorecards are part of Unshackle Upstate's Judgment Day campaign, which will run through the election. Sampson said the group will make endorsements after the primaries are held, based on the scorecards, questionnaires filled out by candidates, interviews of select candidates, their history of support of the coalition and its legislative positions and input from chambers of commerce across the state.
Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said the scores provide a meaningful look at how incumbent state legislators support the economic growth of Upstate New York or contribute to its continued economic decline.
"It's a chance to recognize the positive performance of some like Sen. Betty Little, one of the most dependable backers of reform and job creation in the Senate, while also highlighting too many other incumbents across the state who should be getting some very tough questions this fall from taxpayers," Douglas said in a news release.
E-mail Dan Heath at:
dheath@pressrepublican.com
