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2004 Political Endorsements

2004 BIPAC Endorsements

In 2004, BIPAC released the following endorsement statement:

This year’s political process involves a number of important and competitive races. More importantly, however, this year heralds a turning point for New York State: an emphatic demand from our members and constituents for significant change in Albany. Central New York manufacturers are burdened by a legislative process that is seen as dysfunctional, broken, counterproductive, inefficient, and, at times, anti-democratic. Albany needs to change. The suggestions are varied, but the undercurrent is strong and clear. The Business-Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC), the political arm of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, is pushing for concrete reform of New York’s legislative systems and processes. We questioned candidates running for office this year as to their specific ideas for reform, and the candidates we endorsed are the candidates who pledged to take on this issue.

Additionally, to determine the candidates which best support the manufacturing community, we asked each candidate a series of questions involving how to achieve workers compensation reform, ways to lower energy costs in New York State, plans to ease the tax burden for businesses and manufacturers, efforts concerning Medicaid system reform, means to lower healthcare costs, and additional plans to aid Central New York manufacturing. Based on the candidates’ responses and reform strategies, the Business-Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC), is endorsing the following candidates:


121st District Assembly Race - The race in the 121st District sets newcomer Joe Rossi against incumbent Assemblyman Jeff Brown. Jeff Brown has demonstrated during this campaign and his two years in the Assembly, that he is knowledgeable about the issues, is hard working, and determined to make a difference. Assemblyman Brown’s two years in Albany have brought him a deeper understanding of the process, and a commitment to work on issues important to Central New York manufacturers and businesses. Specifically, Assemblyman Brown’s push for a gradual state takeover of Medicaid costs and his suggestion to give localities more power to investigate fraud in mandated programs feature the kind of pro-manufacturing/pro-business stances we are hoping for from our legislators. Brown also supports both workers compensation reform and an increase in power generation in New York State that has the potential to lower energy costs. We support Jeff Brown

120th District Assembly Race – Bill Magnarelli is completing his sixth year in the New York State Assembly. He remains uniquely positioned to help fight for the Central New York region in Albany. He is one of a group of Upstaters in the majority party in the Assembly who has the rare opportunity to raise priority issues directly with the Speaker of the Assembly. He is also a key designee of the Speaker as Chairman of the Assembly Task Force on University-Industry Cooperation. It is clear that Assemblyman Magnarelli has made a concerted effort to get more involved in critical manufacturing issues, including support for a balanced workers comp reform package including the adoption of appropriate and standard medical guidelines. Magnarelli also supports continuing the Power of Jobs program and the expansion of power generation to help address energy concerns. His committee assignments (Health Committee, Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce, and Industry) demonstrate a great opportunity to influence these issues further on behalf of manufacturing and business in Central New York. We endorse Bill Magnarelli.

123rd District Assembly Race– Incumbent Assemblyman Gary Finch is facing Robert Bergan, a challenger employed in the insurance industry. With his experience as a small business owner in central New York and his Assembly experience to guide him, we feel Assemblyman Finch has the proper direction on tax reform, including several good ideas on tax credits for manufacturing, Medicaid reform and Empire Zones. Additionally, his participation on the Assembly Minority Task Force for Manufacturing speaks well for his commitment to work on behalf of manufacturing in Central New York. We endorse Gary Finch.

129th District Assembly Race – The race for the 129th Assembly District involves incumbent Assemblyman Brian Kolb, and challengers Ellen Polimeni, the current mayor of Canandaigua, and Tim Fox, a former Seneca County Sheriff. In our interviews, Ellen seemed well versed with the issues as a newcomer to State politics, but Assemblyman Kolb was able to clearly define his stances on some key issues to manufacturing such as the single sales tax factor and workers compensation reform. Additionally, his work as chair of the Assembly Minority Task Force on Manufacturing shows a specific dedication to our issues and the prosperity of Central New York manufacturing and business. We endorse Brian Kolb.

The Central New York manufacturing community would like to weigh in on the political races below as well. The Business-Industry Political Action Committee offers the following endorsements based on an examination of candidate records in public office and the determination of candidates who will best represent the interests of manufacturers in Albany and Washington:

• 23rd Congressional District: John McHue
• 24th Congressional District: Sherwood Boehlert
• 25th Congressional District: Jim Walsh
• 29th Congressional District: Randy Kuhl
• 47th State Senate District: Ray Meier
• 48th State Senate District: Jim Wright
• 50th State Senate District: John DeFrancisco
• 51st State Senate District: Jim Seward
• 52nd State Senate District: Tom Libous
• 53rd State Senate District: George Winner
• 54th State Senate District: Michael Nozzolio
• 107th State Assembly District: Clifford Crouch
• 111th State Assembly District: Bill McGee
• 115th State Assembly District: David Townsend
• 116th State Assembly District: RoAnn Destito
• 124th State Assembly District: Will Barclay