Senators Antoine Thompson And Bill Stachowski Call On WNY Republican Delegation To Support Power For Jobs Bill Passed Earlier This Week

Albany, NY- Today, Senators Antoine M. Thompson (D-Parts of Erie and Niagara Counties) and Bill Stachowski (D-Lake View) released a letter they have written to Senators Dale Volker (R-Depew), George Maziarz (R-Wheatfield), Mike Ranzenhofer (R-Williamsville) and Catherine Young (R-Olean), calling on the senators to lay aside political self interest for the time being, and support the signing of legislation that is vital to the economic well-being of Western New York: Power for Jobs.

The legislation was passed on Tuesday after 32 members entered the Chamber and established quorum, ending more than three weeks of deadlock following the Republicans' failed coup nearly a month ago. After its passage, the leaders of the Republican Conference, Pedro Espada and Dean Skelos, then urged the Governor not to sign the legislation, placing more than 240,000 of our jobs at risk. The failure to support this legislation would also place undue economic hardship onto hundreds of companies who now risk higher energy costs across Upstate New York.

All the while, Senators Maziarz, Volker, Ranzenhofer and Young have remained silent.

“This is very simple—if the Republicans do not withdraw their objection to legally passed legislation that they allege to support, jobs here in Western New York will be at risk,” said Senator Thompson. "We here in Western New York need this legislation and if they support Power for Jobs as they say they do, they need to call the Governor and urge him to sign it into law immediately.”

"The best cure for a failing economy is a job. By passing legislation extending the Power for Jobs program, we can continue to provide businesses and non-profits across the state with low-cost power,” said Senator Stachowski. “This will be especially beneficial to our businesses in Western New York. I fully support this program that will protect over 250,000 jobs for hard- working New Yorkers all across the State."

July 2, 2009

Hon. Dale Volker, Hon. George Maziarz, Hon. Mike Ranzenhofer, Hon. Catherine Young

Dear Colleagues,

As Senators representing Western New York, we share a special understanding of the history and necessity of the Power for Jobs program.

Power generated in Western New York is used to subsidize companies in our region and throughout the rest of the state. Many local manufacturers and entrepreneurs depend on the Power for Jobs program, and are able to provide good-paying jobs for our neighbors. Therefore, we believe that all of our regional Senators should be in agreement – extending the Power for Jobs program is among our highest legislative priorities.

As Senators we also understand a quorum of a majority of members elected is needed to pass legislation, and that a member’s presence in the Senate Chamber, regardless of intent, is sufficient to constitute attendance. The facts and the record of the proceedings in the New York State Senate on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 are not in dispute:

• A majority of senators appeared in Senate chambers

• A vote was taken to extend the Power for Jobs program

• The extender, already approved in the Assembly, passed with 32 affirmative votes

• The bill jacket was signed, and the bill has been sent to the Assembly

We understand this may be difficult for you to do, but as Senators from Western New York we ask you to set aside your political and party interests, and instead put the interests of our friends, neighbors, retirees, and working families first.

Governor Paterson has cited objections from the Espada Republican conference as an excuse for not signing the Power for Jobs extension. We are asking you to call Governor Paterson and ask him to sign the extension of this critical program to keep our regional economy moving.

Respectfully,

 Sen. William Stachowski Sen. Antoine M. Thompson

cc: Hon. David A. Paterson, Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo, Chairman Richard Kessel, all WNY Assembly members

POWER FOR JOBS: JOBS AT STAKE FOR 10 LARGE UPSTATE COMPANIES

Borg-Warner – 5,500 jobs in Cortland and Ithaca

Corning, Inc. – 4,400 jobs in Corning, Big Flats, Canton and Oneonta

IBM – 1,150 jobs in Rochester, 4,570 jobs Statewide

Bank of New York – 500 jobs in Oriskany, 5,200 jobs Statewide

Bristol-Myers Squibb – 5,000 jobs in East Syracuse

Finch Paper – 5,000 jobs in Glens Falls

Ford Motor – 5,000 jobs in Buffalo

OAB Holdings – 5,000 jobs in Buffalo

SABIC Innovative Plastics (formerly GE) – 5,000 jobs in Selkirk

Albany International Corp. – 1,750 jobs in Homer and Albany

48,070 JOBS AT JUST 10 LARGE COMPANIES