Syracuse, NY - Unshackle Upstate, a coalition representing more than 70,000 employers with 1.5 million workers, released today its rankings of all 212 state legislators, and it gave low scores to Assembly members William Magnarelli, Al Stirpe and Barbara Lifton. The organization awarded high marks to several Republican Central New York senators and assemblymen, including senators John DeFrancisco, Joseph Griffo...
Syracuse, NY - Unshackle Upstate, a coalition representing more than 70,000 employers with 1.5 million workers, released today its rankings of all 212 state legislators, and it gave low scores to Assembly members William Magnarelli, Al Stirpe and Barbara Lifton.
The organization awarded high marks to several Republican Central New York senators and assemblymen, including senators John DeFrancisco, Joseph Griffo and Michael Nozzolio, and assemblymen Robert Oaks, Gary Finch and Will Barclay.
Of the 17 state lawmakers from Central New York, Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, D-Ithaca, received the lowest ranking, 106th out of 150 Assembly members. Magnarelli, D-Syracuse, and Stirpe, D-North Syracuse, were ranked 86th and 99th, respectively.
Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate, urged voters to review its rankings of legislators and send a message at the polls Nov. 2 to lawmakers who did not improve the Upstate business climate and make New York a better place for taxpayers.
Unshackle Upstate used a system that enabled legislators to earn up to 150 points. They could receive up to 60 points depending on how they voted in committee and on the floor on bills supported or opposed by Unshackle. Legislators who voted against the 2010-11 state budget were rewarded with 25 points; those who voted for it got 0. Legislators had a chance to get up to 15 points by sponsoring bills that Unshackle Upstate supported. They could lose up to 15 points by sponsoring bills that Unshackle opposed.
How CNY senators fared in ranking of 62 senators
John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse: 8th, 84 points
Joseph Griffo, R-Rome: 9th, 83 points
Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette: 10th, 83 points
James Seward, R-Milford: 14th, 78 points
Darrel Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent: 28th, 45 points
David Valesky, D-Oneida: 31st, 25 points
How CNY Assembly members fared in ranking of 150 Assembly members
Robert Oaks, R-Macedon: 5th, 90 points
Gary Finch, R-Springport: 12th, 85 points
Will Barclay, R-Pulaski: 12th, 85 points
Dede Scozzafava, R-Gouverneur: 33rd, 54 points
David Townsend, R-Sylvan Beach: 42nd, 43 points
William Magee, D-Nelson: 46th, 37 points
Joan Christensen, D-Syracuse; 59th, 15 points
William Magnarelli, D-Syracuse: 86th, 1 point
Al Stirpe, D-North Syracuse: 99th, -4 points
Barbara Lifton, D-Ithaca: 106th, -5 points
Contact Mike McAndrew at mmcandrew@syracuse.com or 470-3016.