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Mondello: Spitzer Fails to Deliver for Central New York

Gov’s Fundraising Trip Brings Further Disappointment for Onondaga, Cayuga Counties

ALBANY, NY (10/13/2007; 1056)(readMedia)-- New York Republican State Committee Chairman Joseph N. Mondello today questioned Governor Spitzer’s political and fundraising visit to Central New York as the latest example of his misplaced focus on partisan politics at the expense of real results.

“Governor Spitzer made endless promises to families and businesses in Central New York about how things would improve, but sadly the only change we’ve seen has been an administration consumed with fundraising jaunts and mired in scandal and political dirty tricks,” said Chairman Mondello. “People are tired of Governor Spitzer’s political games. They need and deserve a governor who deals with the people’s business.”

Governor Spitzer’s inability to work effectively with other elected officials has been cited as an example of how his argumentative and heavy-handed approach to governing has resulted in the worst gridlock in New York State history. Earlier in the year, Governor Spitzer questioned Assemblyman Magnarelli’s commitment to his constituents in Central New York and referred to him as “one of those unfortunate Assembly members who just raises his hand when he's told to do so.”

“Governor Spitzer’s confrontational style has limited his ability to work with elected officials of both parties, yet the Governor is always anxious to join together at a fundraiser in a disappointing display of political expediency,” said Chairman Mondello. “As a result of the atmosphere Governor Spitzer has created, the businesses and families in the area he called ‘Appalachia’ have little to show from him but more empty promises.”

Specifically identifying problems in Cayuga County, Chairman Mondello identified the Governor’s proposed health care cuts which would have devastated Auburn Memorial Hospital and Mercy Health Care as well as Governor Spitzer’s continued failure to fulfill his promise to collect taxes on gasoline sold by Native Americans.

“These are just a few of the critical issues facing Cayuga County residents every day, yet they get no response from the Governor, or worse yet in the case of health care—devastating cuts,” said Chairman Mondello.

Chairman Mondello underscored the lack of faith in Governor Spitzer by citing the overwhelming eighty percent of New Yorkers who are calling for him to tell the truth in his administration’s “Troopergate” scandal.

“Governor Spitzer’s approach does not work for New Yorkers, and he seems unwilling or unable to listen to the public, the media or elected officials,” said Chairman Mondello. “It is past time for Governor Spitzer to leave his personal political agenda behind and get to work on the very real problems facing Central New York.”

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