New York faces a $9 billion deficit this year, but Democratic attorney general candidate Eric R. Dinallo questioned Monday the wisdom of cutting back in the office he'd like to lead.

“I can understand us wanting to cost save and belt tighten, but I'd question whether the people of the state would really think the attorney general's office — which I think has been probably one of the most successful state entities across the last 10 years — is the place where you'd really be seeking that,” he said during a Watertown stop. “It's the one that brings in fines. It's the one that brings in restitution. It's the one that brings in health insurance premiums to policy holders. I'd actually push back on that and say that's not an office that I'd be seeking to shrink very much.”

Mr. Dinallo is one of a half-dozen potential Democrats seeking the seat. The New York City attorney has plans if elected for the near 700 lawyers on staff, especially the four dozen he'll need to relocate for the “rural agenda” he's touting during an upstate campaign swing this week.

The Democrat wants to open one-room offices in each county and assign an assistant attorney general to staff it within the first two years of his administration.

“I think the regional offices do a really good job, but they're not always entirely present in the community,” said Mr. Dinallo.

Having an accessible state lawyer nearby, the candidate said, is “something that would really help people who otherwise feel outgunned and out-resourced against companies and against different adversaries.”

Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo has 13 regional offices, including those in Watertown and Syracuse, to handle local fraud complaints, civil rights and labor law violations and represent the state's interests in lawsuits.

Mr. Dinallo does not have a price tag for his rural agenda, which also includes expanding the office's Appeals and Opinions Division so that it can offer more advisory opinions to municipalities on issues from hydro-fracking to health insurance.

The candidate said staffing each outpost should result in more cases being accepted, which could generate more fines.

“I'd like to keep it cost flat,” he said. “I think that, by reallocating our resources in the first couple of years, that could be done.”

Mr. Dinallo said he knows how to reallocate resources in a large state agency, saying he did so for two years as superintendent of 1,400-member state Insurance Department. The Democrat also has experience in the state Attorney General's Office, serving as investment protection bureau chief under Eliot Spitzer.

Jefferson County Democratic Chairman Sean M. Hennessey said he was impressed most by Mr. Dinallo's experience after meeting him Monday.

“He's got a very strong background in insurance,” the chairman said. “He has a strong history of looking out for the senior community and business owners, so I think that's good too.”

Mr. Hennessey said he's also been wowed by two other attorney general candidates who have made the trip north: Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice and former federal prosecutor Sean Coffey.

“All would do very well not only in the primary, but in the general election as well,” he said.

Mr. Dinallo has collected 10 endorsements from county chairmen who represent about 4 percent of the weighted vote at the state convention.

Mr. Hennessey said his committee would meet at the end of this month to consider an endorsement for the office.

Doug Hoffman praised Will Barclay Monday for dropping out of the running for the Republican nomination for the 23rd Congressional District - and said he looked forward "to working and campaigning with the assemblyman in the months ahead."

It may be premature to book the local rec hall in Scriba, however.

Mr. Barclay was most critical of Mr. Hoffman when the assemblyman was considering a congressional bid. The Pulaski politician has promised to keep an open mind, however, before endorsing and campaigning for any of the three potential GOP candidates: Mr. Hoffman, Watertown businessman Matthew A. Doheny, and Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun.

Mr. Barclay has also said he will support whoever prevails in the primary, which could make a joint rally in Granby that much closer to reality.

Here's Mr. Hoffman's statement in full:

Good morning! Here's what's making news in the political world:

Will Barclay picks duty over ambition in dropping out of the upcoming GOP primary in the 23rd Congressional District.

The Post-Standard, the Times-Union and The Hill provide additional coverage.

Jefferson Leaning Left praises Mr. Barclay on his way out the (congressional) door.

Real Clear Politics is calling NY-23 a "toss-up."

With Mr. Barclay gone, it's time for GOP candidate Matt Doheny to "big foot" Doug Hoffman, according to Mayor Graham.

Rep. Bill Owens wants all House and Sentate proceedings to be available on the Internet.

Sen. Joe Griffo is the new ranker on Energy.

William A. Barclay said Sunday he will not seek the Republican nomination in the 23rd Congressional District and instead campaign for re-election to the state Assembly.

“As the days went by, increasing I came to realize that something was gnawing at me,” the Pulaski politician said in an e-mail to supporters. “You can sum it up with one simple word: duty.”

Mr. Barclay said he was tempted to run for Congress to excuse himself “from the ever worsening woes of Albany.” He said he even considered resigning his seat to focus full-time on his federal campaign.

“This is not a good time for someone who thinks his sort of common sense and sound judgment are badly needed right where he is just to walk away,” he wrote.

Mr. Barclay’s decision to drop out of the congressional race leaves three potential candidates for the GOP line.

Douglas L. Hoffman, a Lake Placid accountant who finished second during last fall’s special election, and Matthew A. Doheny, a Watertown businessman, are committed. Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Tupper Lake, is interested, but said he has not made up his mind.

The seat is held by Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh.

Mr. Barclay was the most outspoken of the potential candidates during his brief flirtation with the seat, with Mr. Owens and Mr. Hoffman being his two main targets for criticism.

The assemblyman also took issue with state Conservative Party leaders, who have pledged their line to Mr. Hoffman exclusively. Mr. Barclay asked Mr. Hoffman to vow not use the minor party line if he did not prevail in the GOP primary, but Mr. Hoffman has refused to do so.

Mr. Barclay said he intends to meet with all Republican candidates and will consider endorsing and campaigning for one of them before the September primary. He reiterated Tuesday that he’ll support whichever candidate Republican voters choose in the primary.

Mr. Barclay, who has represented parts of Oswego and Onondaga counties in the state Assembly since 2003, did not seek the GOP nomination for the congressional seat last July. The assemblyman, who is also a partner at Hiscock & Barclay, Syracuse, ran unsuccessfully for the 48th Senate District during a special election in February 2008.

Here's Mr. Barclay's statement in full:

Good morning! Here's what's making headlines in the political world:

North country lawmakers are skeptical of Lt. Gov. Ravitch's five-year budget proposal.

Doug Hoffman gives Bill Owens, his former opponent in the 23rd Congressional District, an 'F' for his work as a representative, also weighs in on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Mr. Hoffman and fellow Republican opponent Matt Doheny spar over earmarks, abortion rights during a meet-and-greet in Fulton County.

Mr. Owens says he's "try(ing) to get things done" in Congress and that politics "takes a second seat."

The Plattsburgh Democrat has introduced two bills to combat drug trafficking along the U.S.-Canada border.

DOCS is closing 22 housing units at 17 state prisons, including five dorms in the Watertown hub. No one loses their job, but there's 149 less potential openings now.

Rep. Eric Massa's departure is a good opportunity for the GOP to pick up a House seat. But Salon says history shows they'll blow it.

Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch's bold proposal to erase the state's deficit in five years is being received cautiously by the north country's state lawmakers.

Mr. Ravitch has suggested borrowing up to $2 billion annually for three years to fix the state's finances, creating an independent review board to review the state spending on a quarterly basis and moving the state's fiscal year start from April 1 to July 1.

“It's one of the better proposals that was floated out there,” said Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell after listening to the lieutenant governor outline his plan. “It forces the cuts that need to be made.”

The Theresa Democrat isn't completely sold on the proposal, however. Mrs. Russell is concerned by a provision which would allow the governor to take unilateral action if the executive and the legislature couldn't agree on how to fix an out-of-balance budget.

“This type of scenario would allow for mid-year cuts to education without the legislature having a say,” she said.

Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, shares similar concerns about this element of Mr. Ravitch's plan.

“Governors have proven that they'll do just the opposite: add to the budget and do things detrimental, like withholding payments,” he said. “There's got to be a check and balance.”

Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine's main concern is that Mr. Ravitch would like to borrow money.

“Borrowing for day to day expenses or to plug a deficit could end up just causing more trouble down the road,” the Cape Vincent senator said in a statement. “Debt service from the borrowing this state and its authorities have already done is a cost we cannot cut. We can only keep it from growing larger still by avoiding more debt.”

Mrs. Russell said she would not support the state borrowing to right its budget unless it was “part of a strategic plan to get us on stable ground within five years.”

Mr. Griffo said the idea of borrowing was “troublesome.” He also criticized Mr. Ravitch's idea to push the start of the fiscal year to July 1, saying the proposal lacked teeth.

“If we can't meet the budget year now, what are you going to do to ensure there's a concrete date that can't be missed?” he said. “There's an erosion of confidence in government for the simple reason that words mean nothing. Deadlines come and go with no consequence and they're ignored. That upsets me.”

Mrs. Russell said Mr. Ravitch's proposal should be used as a framework to start discussions on how the Legislature can “take on the deficit in its entirety.”

The state's projected deficits are about $60 billion over the next five years. Legislators are facing a projected $9 billion deficit in the budget due April 1.

Mr. Aubertine said the Legislature needs “to consider solutions outside of comfort zone,” and asked that the plan be “not dismissed immediately because it does point to the need for change.”

But Mr. Griffo was skeptical that Mr. Ravitch's plan would be given proper consideration.

“No idea should be dead on arrival, but my concern is that I'm not sure that those who are proposing some of these plans know where they're going next,” he said.

The Republican criticized the governor for organizing a series of town hall budget meetings instead of scheduling sit-downs with Assembly and Senate leaders to negotiate the budget.

“It's good to have a lot of ideas floating around,” he said. “But to get something done, we need to have a consensus.”

Assemblyman William A. Barclay, R-Pulaski, told his supporters today that he's decided whether or not to run for the 23rd Congressional District seat - and that he'll tell us all Monday.

"I need a few extra days," he wrote in an e-mail to his base. "I got tied up longer than expected with some tasks and then I have been so busy in Albany that I have not able to find enough time to properly prepare the announcement."

He plans to write his statement this weekend.

If Mr. Barclay runs, he'll join Matthew A. Doheny, Watertown, and Douglas L. Hoffman, Lake Placid, in a primary for the Republican nomination.

Former Gov. George E. Pataki shook up last fall’s special election in the 23rd Congressional District when he shunned his party’s candidate, Dierdre K. Scozzafava, and endorsed Conservative Party candidate Douglas L. Hoffman instead.

Ms. Scozzafava, stunned by the snub, suspended her campaign two days later.

Mr. Hoffman, who finished second on Election Day, has officially launched a second bid for the office. But this time, Mr. Pataki’s backing is not guaranteed.

“I do like Doug,” the former governor said in a phone interview Wednesday from Manhattan. “I was proud to campaign for him. At this point, I’m not endorsing anybody in that race.”

The Republican primary in the 23rd Congressional District could feature up to four candidates. Mr. Hoffman and Watertown businessman Matthew A. Doheny are in. State Assemblyman William A. Barclay, Pulaski, and Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Tupper Lake, are still considering a run.

Mr. Pataki said he’s going to review the backgrounds and positions of all candidates before making his pick, a strategy he said he employed before picking Republican Rick Lazio as his favorite candidate for state governor Wednesday.

“Rick is the right person to lead this state and restore public confidence in Albany,” the former governor said. “As people get to know him and hear his views, they’ll see he’s the right person to lead us for the next four years.”

Mr. Pataki said he liked Mr. Lazio because of his fiscally conservative platform, specifically citing the candidate’s plan to ensure property taxes are never more than 2.5 percent of a property’s assessed value.

The former governor, who spent 22 years in state government before stepping down in 2006, said he also liked that Mr. Lazio was not “an Albany insider” who could bring a fresh perspective to fixing the state’s deficit and creating jobs.

Douglas L. Hoffman, a Republican and Conservative candidate for the 23rd Congressional District race, talked to the Watertown Daily Times today about his candidacy.

In the first part of the interview, Mr. Hoffman reveals that he plans to move to the district and discusses his positions on earmarks, health care reform, defense spending and tax breaks.

Here's the transcript:

Q: I'm curious to know why you'd like to run again for the 23rd Congressional District, instead of running for the 20th seat, which is where you live.

A: I grew up in the 23rd district. I was educated in the 23rd district. I served in the Army in the 23rd district. I trained at Fort Drum. I have been in the 23rd district either living or working all my life. I have six offices throughout the 23rd district that go all the way from Lake Placid to Watertown.

I think I'm a son of the 23rd district. That's part of me and it has been a part of me all my life.

Q: Do have any intention of making a permanent residence inside the 23rd?

A: Yes, I do. I have a purchase contract that I just closed on last week. We're working on the financing and we hope to close on that property next month. It's in Saranac Lake, my hometown where I grew up. And I'll be moving back home.

Q: And that will be your main residence?

A: That will be my primary residence.

Q: Bill Owens has recently requested that about $204 million in funding be included in the federal highway bill for local projects, including projects as large as the Northern Tier Expressway and as small as installing GPS tracking devices in Oswego County vehicles. During your last campaign, you were critical of earmarks. I was wondering. In your estimation, where Mr. Owens' requests appropriate?

A: I think that we always need highway improvements. They're now working on the 781 connector to Fort Drum. We need the improvements. We need the upgrades. We need to fix the potholes. We always need money in the highway budget for the north country with the frost heaves and the severe weather that we have up here. So any congressman is going to have to go after funding for highway improvements.

As far as earmarks go, I think all you have to do is - it's the issue of earmarks that we have a problem with. I think all you have to do is look in December at the health care bill negotiation. For $300 million of taxpayer's money to be given out to bribe a senator to vote for the health care bill, that money could have been better used in highway improvements around the country to fix the things that we need fixed.

Q: So you're OK with adding funding for local projects that only benefit the localities?

A: I think that if I get elected as congressman, I'm going to fight to get every dollar that we possibly can that's available in Washington for the 23rd district.

Q: If you had been elected instead of Bill Owens, you probably would have been faced with several important votes. You mentioned the health care vote. I want to ask you about several bills and ask you if you would support or oppose them. And let's start with health care reform.

A: Health care reform I definitely would have voted against.

Q: Tell me why, as succinctly as possible.

A: I think that No. 1, we can't have a bill that's going to spend a trillion dollars over the next 10 years that we don't have. We can't have a bill that's going to add taxes to the small businesses and the middle class taxpayers. We can't have a bill that cuts important benefits from Medicare in our elderly. We can't be talking about a bill that doesn't truly address the cost-cutting measures of health care, which importantly is tort reform and interstate competition. The present bill doesn't even start to address those issues. Those are the major issues that can really cut the cost of health care.

Q: Staying in health care arena, I want to ask you about the Stupak-Pitts amendment. Would you have been for that or opposed to that?

A: I...

Q: Stupak-Pitts was (opposed to) federal funding for abortions.

A: I would been opposing to that so I would have voted for that because that prevented the federal funds for abortion.

Q: How about raising the limit on the public debt?

A: I would have voted against that. Because I think that until we start limiting the amount of national debt, we're not going to have serious conversations about reducing spending.

Q: And in that same realm, the pay as you go model that was approved.

A: Pay as you go model, if I understand it, is that unless you have the money you don't spend it. That's certainly is what we do on a home budget basis and I think that's what the government should start doing.

Q: OK, so you're for that?

A: Yes.

Q: The $636 billion Defense Appropriation Act.

A: Well, one of my strongest planks in my platform is a strong national defense and I think that has to take top priority. I do know that the budget for defense this year was reduced by some $800 million, $36 million for Fort Drum alone. And I oppose reduction in the national defense. I think we have to keep that strong and we have to put the money where our mouth is and spend it.

Q: So it sounds like you're in favor of it. You would have voted for that bill?

A: Oh, absolutely I would have voted for it. But I would have even tried harder to restore the parts that were cut out of it.

Q: I was just wondering if maybe the fact there were 1,700 earmarks totaling $4.2 billion would have caused you pause and maybe to oppose it.

A: You can't vote against a bill - that's the problem with earmarks. They tag them on and if you vote against it just because of the earmarks, you're not going to get your important priorities through. That's why I'm against earmarks because the fact that they know you have to vote for a bill like that because you need a strong national defense. But we don't need all the earmarks tagged onto to it just to spend taxpayer dollars on special projects for people around the country that may not have anything to do with national defense.

Q: Another bill I want to ask you about is the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, which continued $31 billion in tax breaks through 2010. It's an annual tax break reappropriation. Is that something you would have supported?

A: Well, I would have supported the ones that had to do with cutting taxes for small businesses, because that's the economic generator of our country. Every time you increase the tax on small business, that's less money that they can reinvest into equipment and expansion. If they're not reinvesting, then they can't hire new people.

Q: So it sounds like, because that's what this bill did - cut taxes for small businesses and families too - that was something you would have been in favor of?

A: Absolutely.

Q: This bill did include a new permanent tax that subjected carried interest to the regular tax rate instead of the capital gains rate. That's a permanent tax, so I didn't know if that would cause you, again, some pause and to maybe worry about.

A: Well, you're in Congress - you're asking me questions off the cuff here - when you're in Congress, you need to know every integral detail of a bill. Certainly as you're looking at the bills, I'm not naive enough to think that when I get to Congress, every bill is going to be perfect and I'm going to like 100 percent of the bills. I understand that movement is made in Washington through compromise and you're going to have some items that you don't like and you're going to have some items that you do like. And you have to weigh each bill to determine if it's worth the compromise to get this bill through, to get the issues that you want through.

---

In part two, Mr. Hoffman discusses Mr. Owens allegedly breaking three campaign promises, his allegation that "ACORN, the union and the Democratic Party" "tampered" with voting machines, his willingness to debate his Republican opponents and his desire to run in another three-person race:

Q: You told some of those who interviewed you at CPAC that Bill Owens had broken three campaign promises immediately upon taking office. What were those promises and how were they broken?

A: Well, immediately after being sworn in, Bill Owens voted in favor of the health care bill in Congress. The health care bill that he voted for included higher taxes on the middle class and the small business and it also included reductions in Medicare. And those are three campaign promises that Bill Owens made that he broke within 24 hours of being sworn in.

Q: OK, so the three promises were higher taxes on the middle class, higher taxes on small business and reductions on Medicare?

A: Yes. All of those were included in the new health care bill.

Q: I just wanted to ask you - the Congressional Budget Office is saying that the value of the additional benefits given under Medicare Advantage would amount to about $85 more per senior per month in 2019. So they’re actually saying that, for the majority of people, Medicare benefits would actually go up for the House bill. So I was wondering if you had different information or you disagree with their assessment.

A: I’d have to read what you’re reading. They’re saying it would go up. Just with inflation it would go up over 10 years. So what about net of inflation? Are the numbers you’re citing net of inflation or just gross numbers?

Q: I actually don’t know.

A: Well, that’s what you have to look into.

Q: Switching gears on you here a little bit, the possibility exists that this race will among three candidates again. So I wanted to know if you're willing to run against two candidates again?

A: Am I willing to run against two candidates?

Q: Yes. In the last special election, you ran against two candidates - Bill Owens and Dede Scozzafava. Are you willing to run in a three-way race again?

A: I think that's a hypothetical question. We have to see what develops here. Certainly if Dede Scozzafava got into the race again, I'd run a three-way race.

Q: Do you think you could prevail in a three-way race?

A: I think that's a hypothetical question again. I think if you look at last year, I got 70,000 votes on the conservative line. I think it's a hypothetical question. It depends on whether Dede runs again.

[Rob Ryan, Mr. Hoffman's spokesman]: It also depends on who the candidates are, what lines people are on. There's so many variables here.

A: The answer to that question is that I'm going to work very hard to reunite the Republican Party, the Conservative Party and the Independence Party in this campaign. I think that by successfully doing that, we're going to defeat Bill Owens. So I'm going to expend [inaudible] as a lifelong Republican to earn the Republican nomination. And I'm going to try to seek the Independence line. I already have the Conservative line promised to me, but I don't think there's [inaudible] to beat Bill Owens.

Q: This is my first time getting to talk to you since November, so I've got some residual questions from the end of the last campaign. You had put out a letter that suggested ACORN, the unions and the Democratic Party had tampered with the voting machines during the last election? Is that something you still believe?

A: First of all, I think we made that clear to you. I didn't put out that letter. I had a surgery at the time that letter was put out and that letter was never passed by me and I would have never approved it.

Q: Oh, OK. So who put it out?

A: I have no idea. It was somebody on my staff that did that. It was, like I said, I was involved in surgery. I wasn't even able to read. I had major eye surgery and that letter should have never gone out. I did not authorize it and I did not agree with it.

Q: Did you believe there was a virus in the machines that people used to cast their ballots? That was a separate letter.

A: I think that's been confirmed by the commissioners that there was a problem with the programming. I don't agree there was a virus. I think there was a programming error.

Q: Do you think it cost you votes?

A: I think that the commissioners on elections did a great job in recounting and I agree with the final results.

Douglas L. Hoffman said so much of his personal, professional and military career happened in the 23rd Congressional District that he considers himself “a son” of the district.

Soon the Lake Placid accountant will be a resident, too.

Mr. Hoffman, a candidate for the Republican nomination in this congressional district, said he plans to close next month on a property in Saranac Lake.

“I’ll be moving back home,” said Mr. Hoffman, who was raised in the village and served in the state National Guard there.

The 10-mile move is largely symbolic, since the Constitution doesn’t require a candidate or office holder for Congress to live in the district.

But by moving, Mr. Hoffman can avoid the criticism he faced during last fall’s special election for not living with the boundaries of the 11-county district.

In that race, Mr. Hoffman created a three-way election when, disappointed by his party’s pick of Dierdre K. Scozzafava, he sought and was given the Conservative Party’s ballot line. He later finished second to now-Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh.

Mr. Hoffman, who has been promised the Conservative Party line again this fall, could potentially create a second three-way race if he loses a GOP primary to any of three potential candidates: state Assemblyman William A. Barclay, Pulaski; Watertown businessman Matthew A. Doheny and Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Tupper Lake.

Mr. Hoffman wouldn’t say Tuesday whether he’d continue his campaign as a Conservative candidate if he lost a Republican primary, calling the scenario “hypothetical.”

When asked if he thought that he could prevail in a three-way race, Mr. Hoffman replied: “I think that’s a hypothetical question again.”

The candidate concluded: “I’m going to work very hard to reunite the Republican Party, the Conservative Party and the Independence Party in this campaign. I think that by successfully doing that, we’re going to defeat Bill Owens.”

Mark L. Barie, chairman of the Upstate New York Tea Party, said his group will host a 7 p.m. candidate forums March 25 in the Westside Ball Room, Plattsburgh, with the four potential candidates for the Republican nomination in the 23rd Congressional District.

Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Matt Doheny, a Watertown businessman, Will Barclay, a state Assemblyman from Pulaski and Doug Hoffman, a Lake Placid accountant, have agreed to attend, Mr. Barie said in a statement.

“Any one of these candidates has the potential to defeat Bill Owens in the 2010 elections," the chairman said. "They are all fiscal conservatives, they are all opposed to the trillion dollar health care bill which Bill Owens supported, and they are opposed to the tax and spend policies of the current administration.”

The forum will include written questions from the audience, he said.

This is encouraging news, especially since I was today unable to get Mr. Hoffman commit to at least one public debate with his potential Republican opponents before the September primary.

"I think it depends on the forum, but certainly if it was done in a reasonable manner I'd welcome that type of debate," he said.

And what does Mr. Hoffman consider a "reasonable manner"?

"Certainly, we would have to have it done with an independent moderator," he said. "I think if we had that, I'd be very glad to engage in that."

Douglas L. Hoffman rode a strong wave of conservative activism to a second place finish in last fall's special election in the 23rd Congressional District. Now the Lake Placid accountant — and adopted son of the Tea Party movement — is back for a second try, but not without some competition.

Mr. Hoffman formally entered the race for the Republican nomination Monday, telling his supporters in a letter posted to his Web site that he “will defeat Bill Owens” if there's a re-match.

“The months ahead will be filled with hard work because I realize: You don't inherit a nomination, you have to work for it,” the candidate wrote. “I plan to work hard to deserve the nomination of the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties and unite them, as one team, to defeat the agenda of Nancy Pelosi and Bill Owens.”

Mr. Hoffman's fiscally and social conservative positions helped him land early endorsements last fall from Club for Growth, a prominent Washington D.C.-based anti-tax group, and U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson. He leveraged their support to gain national attention from conservative pundits during an off-year for House elections.

As Mr. Hoffman's poll numbers rose, he reaped hundreds of thousands of dollars from conservatives nationwide. Prominent Republicans, from Sarah Palin to former New York Gov. George Pataki, endorsed him and turned away from their party's moderate candidate, Dierdre K. Scozzafava.

Ms. Scozzafava, Gouverneur, was driven out of the race and finished third. Mr. Owens finished two percentage points ahead of Mr. Hoffman in the race to replace Republican John M. McHugh, Pierrepont Manor.

Mr. Hoffman is the first of four potential Republican candidates for the seat this year to officially announce their candidacies.

Watertown businessman Matthew A. Doheny said Tuesday he was “definitely running” and said an official announcement was “just a formality at this point.”

“It's just a matter of putting the ducks in a row,” he said.

Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun said Tuesday that he is interested in the seat, but undecided about whether or not to run.

“The same people that would have committed money to me last time have said they are in for it again,” he said. “I think there's still time.”

Mr. Doheny, Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Maroun all sought the Republican nomination during last fall's special election. The nod went instead to Ms. Scozzafava, a state assemblywoman.

Assemblyman William A. Barclay, R-Pulaski, told supporters in Feb. 26 e-mail that he would reveal his intentions within two weeks. That self-imposed deadline is Friday.

Although Mr. Hoffman is publicly re-starting his campaign, the accountant has been actively working on his second bid since he conceded the first one last November.

Before the election results were certified last fall, Mr. Hoffman alleged “ACORN, the unions and the Democratic Party” had "tampered" with results to deny him victory — and asked supporters to send him money to “ensure every vote is counted.”

Mr. Hoffman, who ran on the Conservative Party line in the special election, dropped his "tampering" claim soon thereafter, but then alleged that the voting machines during the special election had a "virus," a charge denied by the state Board of Elections.

The candidate ultimately decided not to contest the election results after raising funds for a potential legal challenge, but vowed to challenge Mr. Owens again in the fall instead of opposing Rep. M. Scott Murphy, D-Glens Falls, who is up for election and represents Lake Placid in Congress.

The Republican's second election bid received an early boost when state Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long promised to clear the deck for Mr. Hoffman if he were to run again.

Mr. Hoffman also released a poll he paid for that showed him as the favorite for the Republican nomination, a move criticized by his three would-be opponents. He then received positive receptions last month at both state and national Conservative political action conferences. Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Long shared the Charlton Heston Courage Under Fire award at the national conference “for putting principle over their own interests.”

Mr. Hoffman told the Albany Times-Union that he would be victorious in the Republican primary, a statement that angered Mr. Barclay. The assemblyman asked Mr. Hoffman to pledge that he would not take Mr. Long's offer to run as a Conservative Party candidate — and create a second three-way race for the seat — if he were to lose the Republican primary.

Mr. Hoffman has, so far, declined to sign the pledge.

---

Mr. Hoffman will visit Watertown Tuesday to meet with Jefferson County GOP Chairman Donald G.M. Coon III and hold one-on-one interviews with media at the Black River Valley Club between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The state Senate's agenda Wednesday dripped with good news for maple producers and honey collectors hamstrung by costly regulations.

Legislators unanimously agreed that sugarhouses and other maple production facilities should be defined as agricultural buildings under state building code.

Lawrence J. Rudd, who owns Rudd's Maple Syrup in Mannsville, said some producers statewide were forced to overbuild their sugarhouses to comply with more restrictive commercial building codes when they couldn't obtain an agricultural building permit for their sugarhouses.

“It wasn't feasible for them to do that and make any money,” he said.

Mr. Rudd, a director on the state Maple Producers Association Board, said local codes officers have been more flexible than their colleagues in other parts of the state.

The bill also adds language to state codes to specifically allow public assembly in sugarhouses. Under current law, agricultural buildings cannot be places for public assembly, which hinders tourism efforts.

“Maple production is a staple in our rural communities and an industry that lends itself well to tourism activities,” said Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, the bill's lead sponsor, in a statement. “By easing these regulations we are giving maple producers the latitude they need to expand their business for tourism.”

The state's 1,300 maple producers generated 362,000 gallons of syrup last year, according to the Maple Producers Association.

The Senate also unanimously agreed to scrap a 2007 law requiring beekeepers to disclose the locations of their hives and allow the Agriculture & Markets commissioner to survey apiary yards.

“The bill will let us keep our bee yards proprietary and protect our ability to keep our bees with our colonies,” said Theodore P. Elk, a beekeeper in Alexandria Bay who also is president of the Empire State Honey Producers Association, in a statement. “It's going to eliminate a lot of unnecessary and redundant paperwork for us and save us a great deal of work.”

The state will save at least $100,000 annually if the bill becomes law, according to a fiscal impact statement attached to the legislation.

“This legislation is another step toward easing unnecessary regulation on agribusiness in New York state,” said Sen. David J. Valesky, who introduced the bill, in a statement. “We need to continue to find ways to create a more friendly business climate.”

Jefferson County is the state's fourth-largest honey producer, by county, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's most recent data.

Both bills await a vote in the state Assembly.

Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, R-Gouverneur, said she supports both pieces of legislation and has requested to co-sponsor both bills. Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, is a co-sponsor of the bee bill.

If so, the New York Senate has released an uncut version of the Agriculture Committee's Monday hearing on the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act.

Don't have near seven hours? Read the Times' summary of the hearing here.

Matt Doheny, a Watertown businessman and potential GOP candidate for the 23rd Congressional District race, will host a meet-and-great from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 10 at The Club, 25 State St., Canton.

The event is open to St. Lawrence County Republican Committee members and registered Republicans in the county.

WASHINGTON — Rep. William L. Owens asked a key congressional subcommittee today to protect funding for military base operations and to consider funding a new Wellesley Island border station that was left out of President Obama's budget request.

In a hastily-scheduled appearance before a House Budget committee, Mr. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, touted those as two priorities going into fiscal 2011, which begins Oct. 1.

The Budget Committee drafts a budget resolution, which a blueprint for spending on federal programs. The actual funding, however, comes through the Appropriations Committee.

On the border station issue, Mr. Owens said the U.S. General Services Administration had requested $171.5 million, but the request was not reflected in the president's budget request to Congress last month.

On the base operations issue, Mr. Owens said many communities remain uneasy despite the Army's restoration of most of this year's proposed budget cuts and an “very modest” increase in funding reflected in the proposed budget.

“Ensuring adequate operational funding for our Army installations is critical to easing the burden on both our soldiers and the greater communities they reside in. I urge the committee to carefully consider the base operation support budget for the Army,” Mr. Owens said.

Mr. Owens said he asked to testify at the hearing, which consisted of testimony from various members of Congress.

Six Democratic state senators, including Darrel J. Aubertine, introduced legislation Wednesday to repeal the 4.7 percent tax on industrial development agencies that was included in the 2009-2010 budget.

The sextet from upstate and Long Island say the implementation of the tax is flawed because it’s calculated on an agency’s gross receipts, which includes “pass-through” revenues that IDAs collect for local jurisdictions without taking a cut.

In Jefferson County, the bill was $89,006. The St. Lawrence County IDA was charged $27,912. Lewis County IDA estimated their bill to be $28,000.

The group said it is also pushing for a repeal because the Department of Budget was statutorily required to notify all IDAs of the tax by Nov. 1, but instead sent notifications in early February.

Besides Mr. Aubertine, the group includes Sens. David J. Valesky, Oneida; William Stachowski, Lake View; Antoine Thompson, Buffalo; Brian X. Foley, Blue Point; and Craig M. Johnson, Nassau.

All six legislators voted for the state budget, which included the tax.

Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, said he voted against the budget because of “ridiculous” taxes, such as the IDA assessment.

“I was opposed to it and I remain opposed to it,” he said. “What troubles me is: I’m wondering if this isn’t a lot of political posturing, even if the end result serves our best interests.”

Andrew G. Mangione, Mr. Aubertine’s spokesman, said the caucus’s intent in introducing the bill was to “correct” a provision as part of “their ongoing effort to govern responsibility and create jobs.”

The tax is expected to generate $5 million for the 2009-10 budget.

There is, as of yet, no Assembly companion bill.

North country Sens. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, and Elizabeth O'C. Little, R-Queensbury, were named Tuesday to a government efficiency task force.

The 12-member group will investigate state agency spending and operations and make recommendations on how best to eliminate inefficiencies. (As an aside, that's supposed to be the job of every legislator.)

The group also includes Sens. Brian X. Foley, D-Blue Point; Craig M. Johnson, D-Nassau; George Maziarz, R-Newfane; Thomas P. Morahan, R-New City; Diane Savino, D-Brooklyn; Jose M. Serrano, D-Bronx; William T. Stachowski, D-Buffalo, Andrew Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers and David J. Valesky, D-Oneida.

It's unknown if this committee will report any findings before the 2010-2011 state budget, which is due April 1, is finalized.

Drew Mangione, Mr. Aubertine's spokesman, said: "This committee will waste no time in getting down to work investigating agencies and looking for ways to cut spending. But that work will likely extend beyond the current budget year because eliminating waste and fraud in state government goes beyond one budget."

Here's Mrs. Little's statement on being picked:

"In today's tough fiscal and economic times, New York State absolutely cannot tolerate the misspending of taxpayer dollars. I look forward to working with this task force and finding ways to cut wasteful spending, avoid duplication, and be a more efficient government."

And here's Mr. Aubertine:

“Upstate New York is no stranger to overcoming adversity and doing more with less in tough times. By serving on this new committee, I am proud to be working to lessen the impact of the Governor's proposed budget on my constituents, and on New York state as a whole."

Harry J. Wilson helped General Motors restructure after its bankruptcy — and the Republican candidate for state comptroller is troubled by the similarities he sees in the management of the car company and his home state.

“New York and General Motors both were the dominant entities in the field several decades ago,” said Mr. Wilson, a former hedge fund manager from Westchester County. “And in both cases, they basically got fat, dumb and happy.”

When competitors — whether Florida or Toyota — started offering more attractive deals, both entities were slow to recognize their own downturn.

“Instead they continued with the same ruinous policies, in some cases even doubled down on them, thinking they needed more of the same and further accelerated their decline,” he said during a Tuesday visit to Watertown.

Mr. Wilson, as a member of the leadership team of President Obama's Auto Task Force, used his private-sector experience in fixing distressed companies to lead General Motors through a restructuring.

Now the 38-year-old would like the opportunity to do something similar for New York.

“We are nearing fiscal insolvency. And the longer we wait to deal with our problems, the more painful it is,” the Fulton County native said. “Just like in any corporate restructuring, we have to get in there and get to the core problems as quickly as we can and get through them as quickly as we can to try to reposition the state for new growth going forward.”

Mr. Wilson said it's not to late for New York to “turn the corner,” but said leaders need to show “willpower to make the tough decisions.”

He said the comptroller's role, in part, would be to “attack spending” by noting examples where the state's money was being abused. The comptroller, he said, should also work collaboratively to help state departments craft budgets that are responsive to needs, yet responsible to the bottom line.

“There's a number of people who want to do the right thing, but all they know is to take last year's budget, grow it by 10 percent and fight for what they can get,” he said.

Mr. Wilson said his ideas were well received by the eight GOP county committee chairs he met Tuesday in Watertown, including those in Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. The candidate is collecting endorsements so that he can become the party's nominee, a designation that will aid him in raising funds.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, a Democrat, had $1.3 million on hand as of Jan. 15, according to campaign finance reports. Mr. Wilson officially started his campaign less than two weeks ago and does not have a publicly announced tally.

Jefferson County Chairman Donald G.M. Coon III said Mr. Wilson “seems like a very capable candidate.”

“He's talking about fiscal responsibility and that's certainly what we need in this state,” the chairman said. Mr. Coon was also impressed that the president's task force “thought enough of him to include him even though he's a Republican.”

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Earlier report:

Harry Wilson, a former hedge fund manager from Westchester County, will talk to Republican county chairs from Jefferson, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties today in Watertown about his bid for state comptroller.

Mr. Wilson, a Johnstown native, has worked at Goldman Sachs, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, The Blackstone Group and Silver Point Capital. He was the sole Republican on President Obama's Auto Task Force last year - the group that studied auto bailout plans for General Motors and Chrysler.

There's more about the candidate here.

Mr. Wilson is in town to introduce himself and solicit endorsements from the county chairs, although Jefferson County GOP Chairman Donald G.M. Coon III said such a pronouncement from his group won't come today.

John Faso, the party's last gubernatorial candidate, had considered a run for comptroller before bowing out. C. Scott Vanderhoef, Mr. Faso's running mate during that 2006 race, is reportedly considering the race as well.

It's expected that Democrats will support the current office holder, Tom DiNapoli.

Good morning! Here is what is making headlines in the political realm:

Gov. David Paterson directed two state employees to contact a woman who had made a domestic abuse complaint against one of his top aides, the New York Times reports.

Former Tennessee congressman Harold Ford Jr. won't challenge Kirsten Gillibrand for her Senate seat, saying a brutal primary will likely only help a Republican opponent.

Sen. Aubertine presides over a contentious hearing on a bill aiming to give more rights to farmworkers.

The New York Daily News blasts the Cape Vincent Democrat for holding "an Albany version of a Moscow show trial."

"Media bashing" from New York City-based papers is just what the senator needs to help his re-election bid, Mayor Graham opines.

Chuck Schumer will trade tax cuts for jobs, he says during a Watertown stop.

All 30 Senate Republicans will vote against the state budget if it includes prison closures. (No word on an alternate proposal for where to cut the $7 million instead.)

The Senate Agriculture Commitee's sole hearing on the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act drew hundreds today in Albany as both detractors and advocates testified about the proposed bill's impact on New York's farms.

The arguments, for the most part, have not changed. Advocates of the bill speak often in terms of equality. Farm workers, they argue, ought to be provided overtime pay, rest days, collective bargaining and unemployment benefits that are given to those employed in other industries. Opponents, such as those in the New York Farm Bureau, argue that the bill's regulations would force farmers to cut jobs, limit hours or close their farms.

Both are arguments made with emotion almost as often as they're made with data, which can cause the debate on the bill's particulars to be derailed at times.

The Albany Times-Union said the hearing "veered into a human rights debate" for nearly 90 minutes as Kerry Kennedy told stories of working conditions akin to modern-day slavery and of women workers being sexually abused.

Farmers and their advocates paint a decidedly different picture, speaking often of content farm hands that are paid well, treated well and demonstrate their dissatisfaction with certain farmers with their feet. If workers don't like the conditions, they don't come back.

The debate's flames were fanned last month when Sen. Darrel Aubertine successfully steered the legislation to the Agriculture Committee, which he chairs. The Cape Vincent Democrat has been outspoken in his opposition to this bill, although he's also repeatedly suggested that he wants to find a compromise that farmers, farm workers and consumers can live with.

Mr. Aubertine bristled today at suggestions by Jordan Wells, coordinator of Farmworkers for America, a statewide coalition of churches, labor and students fighting for the bill, that he was "toying" with the legislation and by Ms. Kennedy that the hearing was tantamount to "political theater." (As an aside, this clip may be Mr. Aubertine's "Jim Wright moment.")

The compromise that Mr. Aubertine says he'd like to find may not exist, although it's in the senator best interests to bring both sides together so that they can collectively find that common ground.

The bill, in its present form, is almost universally despised by those in the north country, so it probably goes without saying that Mr. Aubertine's political viability in a district where Republicans hold a 3-to-2 advantage would weaken if the bill were passed. Any opponent would simply point to the bill and suggest it was proof that the Democrat was powerless to stop his party's downstate leaders from enacting legislation harmful to rural interests.

Even if Mr. Aubertine's maneuver in bringing the bill to the Agriculture Committee results in the legislation never coming to the Senate floor, he knows the advocates aren't going to pack up their tent and leave. This is the closest in 15 years that they've come to passing legislation and they've still got powerful unions and the Senate Democratic leadership - namely John Sampson and Pedro Espada - in their corner.

The advocates will be back next year. By that time, the Senate dynamic could be completely different. If the Democrats increase their majority, their leadership may not be as pliable to Mr. Aubertine's desires.

The senator has said his main concern is always the farmers, their workers and consumers - and rightfully so. But he must also know that part of his political future hangs on this bill too.

Can Mr. Aubertine help engineer a bill good for farms, farm workers, consumers and his own political career? I don't know, but I look forward to watching it unfold.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer was publicizing his "Hire Now Tax Cut" bill today at North American Tapes in Watertown.

The Watertown media tried to get Mr. Schumer to discuss the current state of the health care reform bill negotiations and also talk about embattled Gov. David Paterson, but those questions did not yield much insight.

Mr. Schumer was more than happy to talk about Syracuse University's new No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press men's basketball poll, however.

WWNY-TV 7 talked to Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, today about the health care reform being discussed at a Washington summit this week when the congressman offered this:

The report doesn't specify all the criteria, although Mr. Owens names two he hadn't previously publicized. That actually brings Mr. Owens' stated list of criteria to eight, which sort of begs the question: Does he actually have eight criteria or has he dropped two of these?

Here they are, as well as the articles where Mr. Owens notes them:

• 1. Coverage for all Americans. (Watertown Daily Times, Aug. 13; The Observer, Sept. 11; Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Oct. 24)
• 2. Eliminate insurance companies' ability to exclude pre-existing conditions. (WDT, Aug. 13; The Observer, Sept. 11; Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Oct. 24)
• 3. Cut costs of health care. (WDT, Aug. 13; The Observer, Sept. 11)
• 4. Not add to the deficit or place burdens on small business (The Observer, Sept. 11; Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Oct. 24)
• 5. Medicare benefits must not be diminished or taxed (Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Oct. 24)
• 6. People who are happy with their coverage should be able to keep it. (Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Oct. 24)
• 7. Insurance companies cannot drop customers if they become ill (WWNY, Feb. 26)
• 8. Children should be able to stay on their parent's health care until they're 26. (WWNY, Feb. 26)

As an aside, I am amused that the number of his criteria goes up by exactly one every time a media outlet inquires, which I noted in a prior blog post. Of course, the obvious explanation is that the congressman finds more elements he'd like to save or delete the more he's educated about health care reform.

North country lawmakers said Friday that Gov. David A. Paterson’s decision not to seek a full term will help legislators focus on a more important task than campaigns: producing a fiscally responsible, on-time budget.

“Everybody wants to talk about the 2010 elections, but there’s serious work that needs to be done,” said Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, R-Gouverneur. “There’s going to be some serious pain. And I don’t think there’s going to be any way to avoid it.”

Mr. Paterson has proposed several measures to close New York’s $8.2 billion deficit that negatively affect the north country, including shuttering the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility, five state parks and a historic site. The state’s fiscal year starts April 1.

In suspending his campaign, the governor said Friday it became “increasingly clear” in the last week that he could not run for election and manage the state simultaneously. He said a state-led investigation into his contact with a woman pursuing a domestic violence charge against one of his top aides was the latest in “an accumulation of obstacles that have obfuscated me from bringing my message to the public.”

Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, said in a statement that Mr. Paterson’s announcement “should eliminate the constant distraction of election year politics” and “return the focus in Albany to budget, job creation and our economy.”

Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, saw opportunity for the embattled governor.

“I strongly hold out hope that freed from the scrutiny of running for re-election, he will bring a new focus and intensity to concentrate on the serious challenges confronting New York, which will require everyone working together, making difficult decisions and choices,” he said in a statement.

Ms. Scozzafava said Mr. Paterson had deteriorated his relationship with the Legislature by berating lawmakers publicly for avoiding tough decisions.

“His ability to lead the Legislature has been lacking,” she said. “I just hope that, with this distraction out of the way, he can provide the type of leadership that needs to be provided at this point.”

The assemblywoman also said Mr. Paterson’s alleged role in the domestic violence case provided another example of the need for “strong” ethics reform in Albany.

“It’s an embarrassment,” she said. “It paints all of us in the same light. And until we get enough good leadership to stand up to some of these ethic issues, we’re going to see this happen over and over again.”

Mr. Griffo asked Mr. Paterson to consider using his remaining time to finish reforms both men have advocated, including term limits on statewide offices and legislators.

The senator, who represents Lewis County and part of St. Lawrence County, joined his colleagues in saying his more immediate hope was that Mr. Paterson would help the Legislature produce a “timely and responsible budget.”

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, was not available for comment Friday, due to the death of her mother-in-law, Jane L. June O’Neill, a Morley resident and chairwoman of the state Democratic Committee’s executive committee, declined comment. She referred all questions to Jay Jacobs, the committee’s chairman.

---

Here's a collection of all the statements regarding Mr. Paterson's announcement:

Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent:“The allegations relating to domestic violence that have been swirling around the governor in recent weeks are of great concern to me and I will continue to watch intently as this develops. The news today, however, that he will not seek a full term will enable us to return the focus in Albany to the budget, job creation and our economy. This news should eliminate the constant distraction of election year politics at a time when we should be focused wholly on doing what's best for the people of New York.”

Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome:"Governor Paterson's decision to suspend his campaign should be a catalyst for change in the coming weeks. I strongly hold out hope that freed from the scrutiny of running for re-election, he will bring a new focus and intensity to concentrate on the serious challenges confronting New York, which will require everyone working together, making difficult decisions and choices. I'm hopeful that he would also address the reform proposals that I've advocated and that he has indicated support for - such as term limits - which can have effective long term change. The people of New York state need in these next few weeks, for us to produce a timely and responsible budget. My mission in Albany is to work to ensure we are all focused on the people's business, not the business of politics and to work for reforms that will create a new climate of fiscal responsibility in Albany and improve the New York State economy.”

Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh:"I was pleased to hear this morning that Governor Paterson will not be seeking re-election. The allegations made against his office are serious and need to be investigated thoroughly. I believe this decision will allow the state of New York to more effectively address and overcome the major concerns we have about job growth and deficit reduction.”

Sean M. Hennessey, Jefferson County Democratic Committee chairman: "The Jefferson County Democratic Committee is watching with great interest the news that Governor Paterson will not seek a new term as governor. Though we are unable to comment on recent allegations without more information, domestic violence is a matter that must always be taken seriously.

"This committee has been supportive of Governor Paterson's political career and the way he has overcome many difficult challenges. However, election year battling has taken its toll on Albany and we hope that the elected officials, that we have wisely voted to represent us, can resume work on the important issues facing the north country in a better political atmosphere.

"The Jefferson County Democratic Committee is focused on moving forward to assist our local candidates and officials in the upcoming election year; as our representatives are focused on passing a responsible budget that will help our region and this state to recover from the economic downturn and create jobs."

And outside the north country:

Rick Lazio, Republican gubernatorial nominee: "This is another sad chapter in New York State government. It's dysfunctional, it's broken and it doesn't work. It's exactly why we need someone not tied to the Albany culture to bring the sweeping change we deserve."

Dean G. Skelos, Senate Republican Leader:"Governor Paterson called me and informed me that he would end his campaign for Governor. I believe that he made the right decision. I told him that Senate Republicans were prepared to move forward on a bipartisan basis to address the budget and other pressing matters, and that hopefully the Senate and Assembly Democrats, unlike last year, would do so as well."

Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb, R-Canandaigua:"Like so many New Yorkers, I have been deeply concerned about the shocking and serious criminal allegations pending against Governor Paterson's staffer David Johnson. Charges of physical violence perpetrated against women must be investigated with the utmost seriousness and, if proven true, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Governor Paterson's expected announcement today that he will not stand for election was the right thing to do. I and many other legislators in both houses, from both parties, have serious concerns about the allegations and how they have made it nearly impossible for the people's business to move forward. We are fast approaching our state's April 1 fiscal deadline when the budget is due. We need to get back to business and work toward passing an on time, fiscally responsible budget. New York State cannot afford any more of these distractions."

Jay Jacobs, chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee:"By announcing his decision this afternoon to not seek a full term as governor, David Paterson has clearly shown his commitment to the people of the state of New York, the Democratic Party and his colleagues in government. His personal sacrifice underscores his character and courage in a most difficult time for him personally. Governor Paterson entered office under extraordinary circumstances, immediately faced a financial crisis of historic proportions and has managed to keep New York state solvent while amassing an impressive record of accomplishments. The Governor's action today reminds us of what it means to be a true public servant by putting The People First.”

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., will meet with Jefferson County leaders Monday to discuss his "Hire Now Tax Cut" bill that provides tax cuts to businesses that hire people who've been unemployed for 60 or more days.

Mr. Schumer's meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at North American Tapes, 22430 Fisher Road.

The bi-partisan bill passed the Senate this week with 12 Republican votes. The House is expected to pass the proposal next week, Mr. Schumer's office said.

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