This press release was issued May 12, 2010.
Brodsky Seeks Rice Clarification of Position on Rockefeller Drug Law Reform
White Plains – In the face of a dispute about her actual record, earlier today Richard Brodsky sent a letter to Kathleen Rice asking her to clarify her position on Rockefeller drug law reform and invited her to share in an open and candid discussion with the people of New York.
This letter was sent in response to a discussion the two had during a forum held at the Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn last week. The conversation began with Ms. Rice questioning the ability of “insiders” versus “outsiders” to bring social and political reform. Mr. Brodsky responded by suggesting that such broad-brush criticisms were somewhat unfair and that there ought to be a discussion on particular disagreements, which voters need to understand.
Brodsky cited one such specific disagreement, their respective positions on Rockefeller drug law reform. Brodsky is a long-time supporter of reforming the antiquated Rockefeller drug laws. He supported reforming these laws well before the proposal was passed by the Senate last year.
During the forum, Brodsky pointed out that he supported these reforms while Rice had opposed them. Rice strongly disagreed. While complimenting her office on their diversion program, he restated his belief that she had opposed the heart of our reform efforts, judicial sentencing power and offered to produce documents to that effect. Rice made no further comments.
In today’s letter to Rice, Brodsky asked for both clarification and open discussion of the issue. He made the following statement, ”To make real reform happen in Albany, you have to be committed to reform. Our position on reforming the Rockefeller drug laws is a key insight into how reform must be carried out as we continue to try to meet the needs of all the people.”
(The Letter Is Below)
Dear Ms. Rice,
Given the awkward formats of many of our joint appearances, our exchange last Thursday in Brooklyn concerning the Rockefeller drug laws may have left the issue uncertain.
Allow me to set forth what I believe happened. In my response to questions about the ability of “insiders” versus “outsiders” to bring social and political reform, I suggested that broad-brush criticisms were somewhat unfair and we ought to discuss our particular disagreements, which voters need to understand.
I raised in that context, what I believe is our fundamental disagreement about reform of the Rockefeller drug laws and characterized myself as a long-time supporter and you as an opponent. You took immediate exception to my words and spoke of your long-standing commitment to Rockefeller reform. I praised your Office’s diversion program, but stood by my position that you opposed the heart of our reform efforts, judicial sentencing power and indicated that I had documents that confirmed this. You made no further comments about the matter.
Whatever our political or policy differences, I’m sure we both want to be fair as we discuss the important issues before the people. I think it would be constructive if we publicly clarified and explained our records on Rockefeller reform, in person or in writing. If there is a significant difference between us, as I believe to be the case, we can at least set forth the bases of that difference, and use our future appearances with voters to honestly and accurately discuss it.
Feel free to call me on my cell or to get back to me by e-mail.
Thanks.
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Richard Brodsky
This press release was issued May 06, 2010.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Endorses Brodsky for Attorney General
White Plains – The Richard Brodsky for Attorney General campaign announced today the endorsement of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. The endorsement was given when the two met outside the Erma Cava House for the SEBCO Senior Programs in the Bronx. In endorsing Brodsky, Diaz stated:
“I’ve been Richard’s friend for over ten years, and we have struggled for a better, fairer society for all New Yorkers together. I’ve seen him stand up for reform at agencies like the MTA and against congestion pricing. I’ve seen him bring important lawsuits and win. I’ve seen him change laws for minority and woman owned business that no one else could do. As chair of the environmental conservation committee, he fought for environmental justice for the Bronx and the entire state. He knows the Bronx, our diversity and our needs. He is the kind of independent, smart and tough-minded lawyer we need. He’ll make a great AG, and I endorse him.”
In response to the endorsement, Brodsky said, “I’m grateful to Borough President Diaz for his kind words and political support. We stand for the same things. His leadership in the effort to ensure people a living wage and that public subsidies produce a public benefit mirror the work we did on public authority reform. He is a leader for our future and I look forward to continuing our work together for many years.”
The endorsement from Diaz comes in the same week as the endorsement from the statewide Communication Workers of America union as well as Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and four other prominent assembly members from Manhattan. Brodsky’s campaign continues to build momentum as he continues meeting with people throughout New York and working towards victory in the September primary election.
This press release was issued May 04, 2010.
State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Endorses Brodsky for Attorney General
Speaker Silver Joins Fellow Manhattan Assembly Members Farrell, Bing, Kavanagh and Gottfried in Their Support
White Plains – The Richard Brodsky for Attorney General campaign announced today the endorsement of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver along with four of his fellow Manhattan colleagues Herman Farrell, Jr., Jonathan Bing, Brian Kavanagh and Richard Gottfried. Each had the following to say in their endorsement of Brodsky:
Speaker Silver stated, “I’m proud of the way Richard has taken on difficult and controversial matters, and changed the outcomes. We can elect statewide leaders who know how to build coalitions and fix problems. He’ll be a great Attorney General.”
Assemblyman Farrell said, “As we wrestle with the burden of property taxes, Richard remains a smart and effective advocate for middle-class relief.”
Assemblyman Bing said, “Nobody has been able to tame rogue agencies like Richard. His battle to reform MTA and other state agencies have affected the daily lives of Manhattanites – and all New Yorker’s – for the better. He’ll be a great AG.”
Assemblyman Kavanagh stated, “Richard Brodsky is the best candidate in this race and will be our next Attorney General because people across the state understand the depths of our problems and will recognize in Richard the honest, experienced, forceful leadership we need. He will make big institutions more accountable to the public, whether in Albany or on Wall Street, as he already has with the MTA and other public authorities.”
Assemblyman Gottfried stated, “When the West Side needed a champion, we enlisted Richard and worked shoulder-to-shoulder to stop the awful plan to build a huge Stadium in our midst. If we measure politicians by what they do in a crisis, and who they’ll stand up for, Richard has earned Manhattans’ support.”
In response to their support, Brodsky stated, “Our campaign continues to broaden its geographic base. I am honored that my colleagues strongly believe in my abilities to be an effective Attorney General. I look forward to working with all of them throughout the campaign and once in office.”
Richard Brodsky has received the support of numerous local, state and federal elected officials throughout the state of New York.
This press release was issued May 03, 2010.
New York State Communications Workers of America Endorse Brodsky for Attorney General
White Plains – The Richard Brodsky for Attorney General campaign announced today the endorsement of the Communications Workers of America, District One, (AFL-CIO). CWA represents 75,000 telecommunications, public health care, media and manufacturing workers across New York State. In a statement made by the union, they said:
“In a crowded field of candidates, Richard Brodsky stands out as the clear leader on issues of importance to working men and women, to consumers, and to CWA members across New York State. He has compiled an outstanding record of accomplishment on reform of State government, workers’ rights, property tax fairness, minimum wage, educational opportunity, worker’s compensation, living wage, and health care. His principles are clear and his skills in translating those principles into real legislative achievements are unique.”
In accepting the endorsement, Brodsky stated, “I am honored and grateful to receive your endorsement for my campaign to become New York’s next Attorney General. We will win in September and November with the support of hard working families throughout the state. Your efforts will be crucial to my success.”
He went on to say, “This year’s election will be about which candidate is most qualified to bring reform and fairness back to the people of New York. I am the only candidate running for Attorney General that has a record of fighting for reform, tax fairness, minimum wage, health care, and all of the other issues that are so important to your members and all working families across the state. My record stands alone amongst all of the candidates running in this year’s primary and positions me as the best candidate to take on and defeat the Republican nominee in November.”
The endorsement of CWA comes on the heels of the recent high profile endorsements of Congressmen Hinchey and Tonko over the weekend. Brodsky has now garnered the support of dozens of elected officials, local party organizations, professional organizations and unions across the entire state of New York.
This press release was issued April 30, 2010.
Congressman Paul Tonko Endorses Brodsky for Attorney General
White Plains – The Richard Brodsky for Attorney General campaign announced today the endorsement of Congressman Paul Tonko. Tonko represents NY’s 21st Congressional District, covering all or parts of seven counties and include the cities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Amsterdam, Cohoes, Watervliet, Gloversville and Johnstown. He made the following statement:
“I served with Richard Brodsky for over 20 years in the New York State Assembly. During our time together, I found Richard to be thoughtful, measured and a firm and fair advocate for New York’s working families. Today, I am proud to lend my support to his bid for New York State Attorney General. For many years he has been the cop on the beat, whether pushing for stronger oversight of New York State government or corporate accountability, he has served New Yorkers well. As Attorney General, Richard will work to ensure that Wall Street reform is enacted and enforced in a responsible manner so that New York families, particularly those in rural New York, never again have to bear the brunt of careless, unchecked greed on Wall Street. I look forward to working with Richard Brodsky, a consummate and passionate reformer, as New York’s next Attorney General.”
Brodsky stated, “Paul Tonko is a terrific congressman and important national leader on energy policy. He represents urban and rural communities in his district with great passion. I am very grateful for his support and look forward to working with him as we improve and reform New York government.”
Congressman Tonko joins his colleague, Congressman Hinchey and numerous other elected officials around the state in supporting Richard Brodsky’s campaign for Attorney General.
This press release was issued April 30, 2010.
Congressman Maurice Hinchey Endorses Brodsky for Attorney General
White Plains – The Richard Brodsky for Attorney General campaign announced today the endorsement of Congressman Maurice Hinchey. Hinchey represents NY’s 22nd Congressional District, covering all or part of eight counties, which range from the Hudson River, through the Catskills, across the Southern Tier and up to the Finger Lakes (including the cities of Binghamton, Ithaca, Middletown, Kingston, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie). He made the following statement:
“It’s my pleasure to endorse my friend Richard Brodsky in his effort to be the next Attorney General. As a strong environmentalist, as a strong progressive, as an outspoken leader in the struggle for fair property taxes, civil rights and civil liberties, he has been an extraordinary leader for our state. His special concern for rural communities, his work on Indian Point and on economic justice, qualify him to be an outstanding peoples lawyer in every sense of the word. The Democratic Party needs his leadership. I look forward to working with him for many years.”
Brodsky stated, “I am proud to have the strong support of Congressman Hinchey. He is admirable and distinguished representative for the 22nd District whose endorsement means a great deal to me. This endorsement expands on my long list of statewide support, which I am proud to be bringing to the Democratic Rural Conference Convention in Niagara Falls this week.”
The endorsement of Congressman Hinchey is the first official Congressional endorsement announced by the Brodsky campaign.
This press release was issued April 23, 2010.
Richard Brodsky Receives Endorsements from Colleagues in Suffolk and Nassau Counties
White Plains – The Richard Brodsky for Attorney General campaign announced today endorsements from colleagues in Suffolk and Nassau Counties. Brodsky has received enthusiastic support from Suffolk County Assemblymembers Marc S. Alessi (D, I-Shoreham), Steve Englebright (D- Setauket), Ginny Fields (D-Oakdale), Robert K. Sweeny (D-Lindenhurst), and Fred W. Thiele Jr. (I-Sag Harbor) and Nassau County Assemblymember Earlene Hooper (D-Hempstead).
Brodsky stated, “I appreciate the support of my colleagues on Long Island. My work on the Long Island Power Authority, to protect fisheries and the environment, to reform state authorities and ease the heavy burden of property taxes is evidence of my dedication to improving the daily lives of New Yorkers. We’re going to win because in the end, the popular demand for government reform is being seen as the right thing to do.”
In a letter of support, his Long Island colleagues stated, “We’re delighted to support our friend and colleague Richard Brodsky in his efforts to become the next Attorney General of the State of New York.”
“Richard’s tough-minded approach has reformed the MTA, LIPA and all state authorities. He was a leader in the successful effort to create the STAR program, and continues to fight for lower property taxes. He’s a talented lawyer with the vision to use the law to reform state government.”
“He has fought for the people of Suffolk and Nassau Counties, leading such efforts as investigating LIPA and the MTA, protecting our natural resources including the Pine Barrens, helping the commercial and recreational fisheries and standing up to powerful special interests wherever they are. This is the experience and proven dedication to justice for all New Yorkers that we need from our next Attorney General. As Richard’s friends and colleagues we offer our support to what will be a winning campaign.”
This press release was issued April 22, 2010.
State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer Endorses Brodsky for Attorney General
White Plains – The Richard Brodsky for Attorney General campaign announced today the endorsement of State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer represents the 37th Senate District. She made the following statement:
“I’m delighted to endorse my friend and colleague Assemblyman Richard Brodsky for Attorney General. His extraordinary works on reform of state government, on property tax relief, on education, especially on the environment and as a lawyer are perfect qualifications for serving the people of the state. I’ve known him as a fighter for the people of Westchester and the entire state. He’ll use his skills to protect people and reform government.”
“I’m pleased and grateful to have the support offered by my Senate colleague,” said Brodsky. “Her record on reform issues and especially on education reform itself defines her extraordinary service to the people of New York and to the Democratic Party. As I continue my campaign across the state, I look forward to discussing these issues and many others with the people.”
The endorsement of Senator Oppenheimer is the first official State Senate endorsement announced by the Brodsky campaign. Announcements regarding other Senate endorsements will be made soon.
This press release was issued April 09, 2010.
Richard Brodsky Receives Endorsements from Upstate Assembly Colleagues
Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester) received strong support from his upstate colleagues for his campaign for Attorney General today, Friday April 9. In a letter released today Assemblymembers Francine DelMonte, Barbara Lifton, Donna Lupardo, William Magee, William Parment and Addie Russell praised Assemblyman Brodsky for fighting by their side on issues important to upstate residents and communities.
William Parment (D-Jamestown) applauded Brodsky’s understanding of the economic needs of upstate New York businesses, stating, “He understands how important it is to support manufacturing and small business in our upstate cities, towns and villages. Similarly, there is no one in the race who better understands the economic hardships that our residents face.”
William Magee (D-Oneida) praised Brodsky’s longtime support of New York’s farmers, explaining, “He fights by our side on the things that matter to rural New York including emergency aid to dairy farmers.”
“He wrote the bill (unfortunately vetoed) to create a War of 1812 celebration,” explained Addie Russell (D-Watertown). She cited numerous other examples of Brodsky’s support for North Country, stating, “He led successful investigations of political abuse of the Olympic Regional Development Authority in North Country.”
Richard Brodsky thanked his colleagues for their support, stating, “I’m very appreciative of the broad support were getting in upstate New York’s, from the small cities to the rural communities. I’ve got a record of real accomplishment for these communities, including support form the dairy industry, investigations of wrongdoing in the North Country, helping provide economic support of manufacturing and small business.”
“We are the only campaign with a full statewide network of support,” explained Brodsky. “This race cannot be won without the help of all parts of New York and I am very grateful for these endorsements and support of six outstanding upstate leaders.”
This press release was issued April 02, 2010.
Affiliated Police Association of Westchester announces early, strong endorsement of Richard Brodsky
White Plains, NY - In a groundbreaking change, the Affiliated Police Association of Westchester announced its’ early and strong endorsement of Richard Brodsky last night in the upcoming campaign for Attorney General. The APAW is a group of over 50 police PBA’s representing thousands of police officers.
The Association, in announcing its’ endorsement said, “Richard has an outstanding record of support for police officers and law enforcement. He has been a friend and an ally in the Legislature and in the community. More importantly for the people of the state, he has a clear vision of how to move forward, how to change and reform our government, and how to protect the average citizen. He will be a great Attorney General, good for law enforcement and good for all the people of the state.”
In response to the news of the endorsement, Brodsky said, “I’m proud and honored to receive this endorsement so early in the race. The people of the law enforcement community represent the best of our State. Their service to our communities is unique and essential. I look forward to working with them as Attorney General in our mutual efforts to protect every New Yorker. I’m particularly grateful for their recognition of my reform efforts, which will continue and expand as Attorney General.”
Richard Brodsky currently serves as a member of the New York State Assembly representing the 92nd District. He has had the honor of working with the APAW and law enforcement around the state on various initiatives to help keep New Yorkers safe and secure.
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