Dear Friend:

I understand your frustration. In all my years of public service I have never seen the dysfunction that I have seen over the past two weeks.

Critical legislation that I have worked to pass for years is now in jeopardy. Bills to reform the Empire Zone system, spur economic development, improve the Medicaid auditing system, and many more are now languishing. This is the result of reckless parliamentary antics by my colleagues across the aisle and a lone, ethically challenged defector. As such, the Senate sits at a dead tie, 31 to 31.

What is our path out of this mess? Clearly giving in to the antics of Senator Espada and Senator Skelos is not an option. To do so would be to condone the worst kind of politics and to further imperil the state. Senator Espada is now claiming that he, unique amongst New York’s citizens, gets two votes. Who is to say what questionable actions he would attempt to take as Governor?

An ideal solution, and one that my democratic colleagues have proposed, is a power sharing agreement. Such agreements have been successfully utilized before in other states facing a legislative deadlock. A power sharing agreement would ensure that both parties, and all citizens, receive fair and equitable treatment, allowing New York State to move forward.

In the mean time I will continue to work for the people of the 58th Senate District. I will continue to meet with constituents and concerned parties, in Albany and in WNY, and I will continue to prepare and negotiate legislation that improves the lives of my constituents.

On a final note I would like to address the “deal” offered to me last week. It is a sad day when one’s loyalties and beliefs can be bought and sold with a title. Whatever privileges were offered to me would have been for the sake of power, not people. I was elected to be a Democratic Senator and I will continue to be a Democratic Senator.




Very truly yours,

SENATOR WILLIAM T. STACHOWSKI
58th State Senate District