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Partnership Endorses Spitzer
Members of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership gathered with New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer this afternoon to announce our endorsement of the Democratic gubernatorial candidate. The Partnership's endorsement is his first from a business organization in New York State.
Attorney General Spitzer's keen understanding of the uncompetitive Upstate business climate was the primary motivation for the endorsement. At a meeting at the Partnership in July for example, he stressed his commitment to key initiatives of the organization:
- On workers' compensation reform, Spitzer said that all issues, including permanent/partial disability, must be on the table while finding a solution that reduces the cost of workers' compensation insurance to business while increasing benefits to injured workers;
- On brownfields, Spitzer told the Partnership existing programs are not having the impact they should in Upstate, and should be fundamentally improved;
- On low-cost hydropower, Spitzer commented that benefits and proceeds should be focused locally;
- On economic development, Spitzer pledged to make Empire State Development Corp. more responsive to site selectors here, including by moving its headquarters to Western New York.
Our endorsement of Eliot Spitzer for governor speaks strongly of his recognition of the challenges businesses face in Upstate New York, and his demonstrated willingness to work directly with the Partnership to address those challenges head on.
His staff has been in regular contact with Partnership staff and volunteers for nearly two years, to get input on important Upstate policy matters. You might also recall that he stood by my side last year to take a stand against "Proposition 1," the proposed constitutional amendment to change New York State's budget process to make it less accountable to taxpayers.
Furthermore, the attorney general's willingness earlier this year to take a stand against the "WalMart Bill" - a position that put him in opposition with the Working Families Party, and is credited by many with effectively killing the bill in the Senate - was a positive sign of Spitzer's independence.
Finally, in July, when a member of our board asked him why he would be able to accomplish what others have not, he said his track record in the attorney general-s office would continue - that he would hire the best and the brightest regardless of party, that he would take on those who might say "we're friends," and that he's ready and willing to walk into Albany and say, loud and clear: "the game is up, let's turn the tide."
Let's hope Albany will hear him.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Rudnick
President & CEO
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Partnership Endorses Spitzer
