New GOP Senator Jack Martins Needs a History Lesson

Jack Martins who barely defeated Sen. Craig Johnson has teamed up with Lee Zeldin the newest Senator from Suffolk (and possibly the NYS Senate's very own Ted Baxter) to complain that money that was set aside before the election for community projects have been cut.
Martins and Zeldin write "...the former Democrat Majority in the Senate was directing state authorities to de-fund these very same programs worth over $12 million for the two districts."

Perhaps they should talk to their boss Dean Skelos who defunded projects for the 7th SD when Craig Johnson won the special election.
Not only that, after all Skelos' talk about "fair share" for school funding for Long Island, schools in the 7th SD got short-changed while republican districts made out very well.
Then take the case of Sen. Andrea Stewart Cousins, a Democrat that defeated a sitting republican. School aid for her district was cut after that election. Skelos said about that "This would never have happened if Senator Nick Spano was still there.” Classy.
Skelos didn't even try to hide that he was playing politics with education money.
I hope Martins and Zeldin feel that Skelos is also "... grossly irresponsible, devoid of integrity," and is "causing significant harm to the recipients including towns, villages, school districts, fire districts and not-for-profits who have been deceived by their actions."
'Cause otherwise, they would be huge hypocrites.

The next bit is one that really irks me because it is such a lie perpetuated by republicans to scare voters. "Once again, the New York City based Senate Democratic leadership have looked to Long Island as their ATM machine."
The FACT is that NYC gets $11billion LESS in money than they send to Albany.
NYC does not and never has taken money from Long Island. Martins and Zeldin need to look to upstate for that.

Republican Operative Arrested in Tax Revolt Party Fraud

From Newsday...

"A part-time clerk at the Nassau County Board of Elections was arrested Tuesday and charged with writing false addresses on petitions in an attempt to get a candidate on the ballot back in 2009.

Imtiaz Insanally, 27, of Valley Stream, was arrested and charged with first-degree offering a false instrument of filing and one count of misconduct in relation to petitions, Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice said in a news release.....

"Rice said the alleged offenses occurred on Aug. 18 and Aug. 19, 2009, when Insanally "knowingly wrote false residential addresses for eight petition signers" on six pages in an independent nominating petition for Tax Revolt Party candidate Christian Browne...

"Whether you're talking about a highly sophisticated case of systemic corruption or something as simple as this case, they are both violations of the public's trust and of our democratic process, and my office will continue to have no tolerance for that," Rice said in the statement."

We brought this up two years ago..

Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt Unhinged and Dangerous

Peter Schmitt has real issues he needs to deal with. He gets far too angry and turns beet red too often at Legislature meetings.
Now he has turned his anger on the members of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) and it's just very violent.
The Long Island Press reports that when Schmitt was talking about his conspiracy theories about NIFA to the Press he said "I’m just going to enjoy hitting them on the side of the head with a baseball bat.”
What kind of man is Schmitt (or lack of man) that he needs to say that?
It's not like he used a simple metaphor like "I'm going to beat them over the head with their conflicts of interest."
He stepped over the line by ratcheting up the violent imagery.
But then again, we should expect that from someone who a Federal Prosecutor once called "very unspohisticated" and "naive."

And of course Schmitt is unapologetic for his comments. "I will not reply to Yaturo’s rambling statement because she’s already had her chance and she struck out.”

Mangano Changes His Story on the NIFA Conspiracy

It's amazing that Mangano can just plain lie about things he said that are documented quite well. In a new statement about NIFA released on his Facebook page, Mangano tries to back off from his and Peter Schmitts conspiracy theory about NIFA.
Mangano says "My supporters and the media should know that I am not concerned whether NIFA is politically motivated or bipartisan."

But just a little sampling of his comments immediately following the control period announcement show Mangano was all in on NIFA being a grand conspiracy against him.

"(Residents) should question (NIFA’s) motivations,” Mangano said. “It’s to discredit the administration,” - Levittown Patch

"At today’s Long Island Association Executive Breakfast....
Mangano suggested some members of the NIFA control board should be changed because their motivations are purely political." Long Island Business News

"This is just a game to have us boxed in to raising real property taxes, a political game so they can say ‘Ed Mangano and the Tea Party came to office with reform and were unable to accomplish it’,” WCBS 880

And it's even ON VIDEO!!!!


Perhaps Mangano realizes that he sounds less dignified when he spins conspiracy tales like Schmitt.
Mangano does go on to say "What concerns me is that the architects of Nassau's budget mess are now acting as its watchdog."

Really? Is that why Mangano wanted to "PARTNER with NIFA"??
"If the unions don't work with us to achieve real savings, the county executive will partner with NIFA to protect taxpayers, a Mangano aide said in a statement."

Sorry Ed, you can't re-write your own words.

Mangano Fundraising on NIFA Woes

Just when you thought you couldn't get any more cynical about politics.
Accidental County Executive Ed Mangano vows to fight for Nassau County Taxpayers against the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) take-over of Nassau County finances.
While he is doing that, he wouldn't mind if you donated to his campaign.
That's right, while Nassau's finances are being taken over by a Control Board, Mangano has taken this opportunity to raise some cash for himself. (maybe he wants to go out to eat some more)
So what if the Bond Rating for the county is downgraded?
Who cares if the reputation of the county is made worse by Mangano's ineptitude!
It's all okay 'cause Mangano has money in his campaign account.

I was at a local forum and on the table was a piece of paper signed by Mangano. Mangano was there along with Peter Schmitt to lie to the folks about NIFA.
The handout has a color heading that reads "URGENT: ED MANGANO IS FIGHTING NIFA'S TAX HIKES and he needs your help!"
Now just as an FYI, NIFA can't raise your taxes but that is for another post.
The rest of the handout is the standard line Mangano has been spewing for the past week.
Then all the way at the bottom after his signature is a "P.S." asking for a donation.
Now this this says "Help Ed Mangano stop NIFA's tax hike."
Exactly how in the world would a campaign contribution help his fight?
Isn't it the County as an entity suing NIFA? It's not Mangano personally suing them.
Here is Ed Mangano using a terrible situation for Nassau to make some money for himself.
The bigger problem here is that Mangano was at this forum as his offical capacity as County Executive and he is handing out flyers asking for campaign contributions. Unfortnately someone will be suckered into donating thinking the money is going to help "fight NIFA."
Something seems very unethical about this.

Click to enlarge...

Mangano Living Well on Campaign Contributions

According to Newsday, in a non-campaign year, Mangano is eating well on his campaigns dime...
"The political committee for Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano shelled out more than $10,000 for food in the last six months of last year — and it wasn’t even an election year.

There were four chits totaling slightly more than $3,000 at H.R. Singleton’s in Bethpage, in the same small shopping center where Mangano had his election headquarters in 2009. There were smaller bills at several establishments near the main county office building in Mineola, including Plum Tomatoes Pizza, Murphy’s Bar and Chris’s Deli.

And there were a handful of out-of-town establishments, including $255.57 at the NY Yankee Steak House in the Bronx, $256.60 at The Palm in Manhattan and $99.94 at Wolfgang Puck in Disney World, where Mangano had a fundraiser in early December."

Happy Anniversary Peter Schmitt!!!

A very special Happy Anniversary to Presiding Officer Peter J. Schmitt. One year ago he pushed through a 47% raise for himself on a party line vote. After a major backlash and a week of him making cheap excuses he had his fellow republicans vote to recind the raise.
First month in charge and he goes right for the money-grab.

Mangano Tweets for Support... I DO want to "Help Protect" my "Wallet."

Before you go any further, I have two words.. "Carnell" and "Foskey."
A career Judge who lost his election so he gets at $136,000/year job running Nassau County parks.

A Petition to Make Mangano Part of the Solution

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

How About This Budget Solution..

Before Ed Mangano and Peter Schmitt try to get more concessions from the County unions, they should give a little too.

Perhaps Schmitt will give up his leadership stipend and Mangano can cut his salary along with all of his appointees.

Mangano can cut his salary to $105,000 and no appointee can make more that $100,000.

Peter King Reacts to Shooting with Ridiculous Legislation

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You Too Can Be Cool Like This Guy

I have no idea who this is but golly, they voted the right way.

Get yours at the Nassau GOP Watch Gift Shoppe...

Long Island Press Wakes Up and Realizes Mangano is Failing

After being practically an arm of the Mangano campaign in 2009 and virtually ignoring Nassau problems in 2010, the LI Press wakes up and takes a whack at Mangano.
Welcome to the party guys!

"Is Nassau Exec Ed Mangano In Over His Head?"

“He won and fucked up everything,” says a Nassau County political insider. “This is a man who was never used to being disliked. He was in the minority for years and you don’t piss people off when you’re in the minority. When you can’t get anything done, when you can’t kill a contract or you can’t hurt anyone, everyone likes you, and Ed was a really nice guy. I think he really wanted the county executive job but he didn’t want the job. Maybe he really is over his head.”

Re-Arranging Deck Chairs on the Titanic - Mangano Replaces Spokesman

It's not the messenger, it's the message. That's what Mangano doesn't get. His spokesman Martino is talented and ran alot of interference for Mangano most of last year. But things are getting tougher for Mangano to handle and Martino came from the outside.
Mangano has circled the wagons and pushed spokesperson Mike Martino to Department of Public Works and brings in Katie Grilli-Robles, a connected local GOPer.
Martino was very adept in his messaging, I don't think Mangano realizes that the problem is he is just not suited to be County Executive.

A picture from happier times...

Newsday Calls for State Control Board Take-over of Nassau County

Newsday joins NYPost in pointing out the failure of Mangano. But the control board take-ver will effectively end Mangano's term as County Executive and put the republicans in the legislature back into the minority.

Mangano needs NIFA control board

"The longer you wait to fix a problem, the worse it gets and the greater the damage. The same scenario applies to a leaky roof or to Nassau County's looming 2011 budget gap.

The speculative budget approved for next year is unsafe for taxpayers. It could put bond ratings at further risk and result in tax increases or draconian cuts in services. But who should execute the fix? Should it be done now or later?

County Executive Edward Mangano doesn't yet have the situation in hand. The Nassau County Interim Finance Authority, the state oversight board, sidestepped a decision last night on taking control. That was the right call. By next week, NIFA should make public its justification for a control period and the urgency for it.

Yet while a NIFA control period isn't the desired solution, it might be the only one.

Mangano's contradictory behavior is eroding confidence in his skills. He alternately claims the budget is balanced and then turns around the next minute to shake his tin cup. His efforts to get concessions from the police unions have been amateurish. He got slapped down by his fellow Republicans when he sought a sales tax increase.

NIFA, which was created for a much greater fiscal crisis in 2000, remains, but with reduced powers. It's clear that state law requires NIFA to take control of the county's finances when there is a substantial likelihood that the budget is out of balance by 1 percent, which amounts to $26 million for next year. While there are estimates that the budget is out of whack by more than $60 million, the law is vague about when the control period is triggered.

A control board would give Mangano the hammer power he needs to freeze wages, reopen contracts and cut staff. Besides, the leaders of the police and civil service unions are reluctant to make any givebacks unless NIFA gives them cover.

Mangano working with NIFA control could be effective. But politically, it's a hit the GOP doesn't want to take in the New Year, when the county legislature is up for election. If Mangano refuses to work with NIFA - or if the legislature refuses to cooperate - NIFA can turn the screws by halting all short-term borrowing, the county's fiscal lifeline.

NIFA has armed itself with a powerful law firm and auditors. Mangano responded by hiring his former law firm. Republican leaders are sending out Comptroller George Maragos to bang the partisan drums and discredit NIFA. What we don't need is an ugly, partisan battle and costly litigation. That's a fight the taxpayer loses no matter who wins.

After Tuesday's NIFA meeting, Mangano said he would partner with NIFA unless he got union concessions. That's a step in the right direction. If NIFA needs to execute a hostile takeover, however, it must make a persuasive case that a control period is urgently needed and justified. A control board actually controlling the county puts us in uncharted waters. But a county executive who finds himself lost at sea would be worse. hN"

NY Post Rips Mangano

Naughty in Nassau

Last Updated: 10:09 AM, December 20, 2010

Who does Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano think he's kidding?

Mangano is scrambling as a state monitoring board eyes a takeover of his county's finances. The board, the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, plans a key meeting tomorrow; if it believes Nassau is likely to run a budget deficit, it can act.

Things are iffy: Mangano's budget contains "ongoing structural deficits" and $158 million in risks, warns Moody's, the credit-rating agency. And NIFA declines to declare Mangano's budget balanced.

So, on Thursday, Mangano announced $23 million in new budget "cuts," including a hiring freeze meant to "save" $15 million.

But wait.

The so-called "freeze" follows an early-retirement buyout program funded with $86 million that Mangano issued bonds to cover.

That temporarily cleared 500 employees off the books (though at a cost of as much as $600,000 per departee), but Mangano never ditched the payroll slots themselves. And he apparently was preparing to fill some of them with the $15 million he "froze" Thursday.

Good government?

Three-card monte is more like it.

Mangano told The Post he kept the

jobs to preserve an important "managerial tool" and that he may need to

fill them again one day.

No wonder NIFA's growing impatient.

Let's face it: Nassau is a wealthy county; its taxes are among the highest in America. A revenue shortage is not Nassau's problem.

"The county raised spending to unsustainable levels during the boom years," and then used stimulus funds to spend even more, the Manhattan Institute's E.J. McMahon wrote here recently.

Sweetheart deals with labor under Mangano's predecessor, Tom Suozzi, now have Nassau hemmed in. The agreements call for wholly unaffordable compensation for county employees -- cops alone average $126,000 a year -- and no layoffs through next year.

But rather than, say, actually slice jobs once and for all, Mangano wants to preserve his options.

Rather than play hardball with the unions, he offers generous -- unnecessary -- buyouts.

It gets worse: Though he took office vowing to cut taxes amid nationwide anti-tax fervor, he's now eyeing a hike in Nassau sales taxes in 2011.

Anything to avoid real reform.

NIFA needs to make it crystal clear to Mangano that it no longer will abide such flim-flammery.

Tomorrow would be an excellent time to deliver the message.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/naughty_in_nassau_STsEmkb9aQDC8BydyvizfM#ixzz18mkndg2t

It's Always Good to Remember Who You Represent. I'm Looking at YOU, Legislator Belesi

Seems the Legislator from the 14th District (Joe Belesi) doesn't quite remember that he's Legislator from the 14th District and...well... not the 13th District (pssst... it's Norma Gonsalves).

Belesi sent out one of his e-mail "newsletters" and, well, it's always good to give an e-mail a once-over before sending it out.... to hundreds of constituents.

Mangano has MORE Plans to Raise Taxes

From the NY Post:

That's the depressing message coming from Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, who's reportedly pushing for a hike in the county's sales tax, perhaps by a quarter of a point.

That would bump the local rate from 8.625 percent to 8.875 percent -- tying New York City for the highest levy in the state (and that's saying something).

If that happens, it would stab Nassau residents in the back. After all, they dumped the prior county exec, Tom Suozzi, precisely because they were sick of high taxes -- and Mangano ran on a staunch anti-tax platform"

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/tax_first_cut_maybe_zqccCRvzB4miwh4ny4XIMN#ixzz175ksUjQk

What's Old is New Again: Mangano Budget Channels Tom Gulotta

If Accidental County Executive Ed Mangano wasn't just bad on his own, now he's cribbing ideas from former County Executive Tom Gulotta... and this is just ONE example.
From Newsday Spincycle:
"Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano's proposed $2.6 billion budget is precariously balanced on three financial legs: $61 million in labor concessions, which the unions so far have refused to concede; $60 million in new fees or increased fees, even though Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) promised in his inaugural address that the legislature would not approve any fee increases; and an end to the county's guarantee to pay school districts' and towns' share of $100 million in property tax refunds each year because of erroneous assessments.

Although the county receives only about $17 million of the $100 million in taxes collected-- the rest went to schools, towns and special districts--Nassau must repay the full $100 million because of the guarantee.

Proposals to end the guarantee are new:

Consider this Newsday headline from Oct. 2, 2000 when a fellow Republican, County Executive Thomas Gulotta, was also trying to find ways to fill a multi-million dollar budget hole.

"GULOTTA: SCHOOLS SHOULD PAY SHARE OF REFUNDS / PLAN FACES OPPOSITION FROM DISTRICTS, ALBANY"

Gulotta's plan went nowhere."

Who is Jack Martins? New Website will Tell You

Mineola Mayor Jack Martins is running for State Senate this year against Sen. Craig Johnson. A new website has emerged to make sure voters know the REAL Jack Martins - the one who gave himself a 61% raise amd raised taxes 31% in Mineola.
You Don't Know Jack Martins is full of useful information before you go to vote.

Visit:
http://www.youdontknowjackmartins.com/