Dave Valesky

Campaign finance reform proposal making its way through Albany

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:31:00 +0000

In the wake of a series of political corruption cases out of Albany in recent weeks, campaign finance reform has become a popular issue in the state capitol. Among the proposals for reforming the way money is used in political campaigns, is one from the Independent Democratic Conference. The group is wrapping up a set of statewide hearings on their plan today in Albany.

DeFrancisco and Valesky on the Independent Democratic Conference

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 15:37:21 +0000

The new iteration of the New York state Senate will look different in 2013 with the new power sharing agreement in place between Republicans and breakaway Democrats, and two central New York lawmakers will be in the thick of it.

Dave Valesky on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:14:01 +0000

A potentially significant new chapter in New York's political history will be written in January, as the State Senate's Independent Democratic Caucus joins with the Republican Caucus to form a coalition majority. On this edition of the Campbell Conversations, State Senator Dave Valesky, a founding member of the Independent Democratic group, discusses how this new arrangement will work, and why joining with the Republicans may actually bring more progressive pieces of legislation to the Senate floor.

Will new state Senate coalition be good for upstate NY?

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:14:37 +0000

Some supporters of the new state Senate coalition between Republicans and the Independent Democrat Caucus say it will keep upstate New York concerns on the table. Some area politicians believe that wasn't the case when Democrats had control of the New York state Senate in 2009 and 2010.

Activists protest Valesky office, asking him to stick with Democrats

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:13:05 +0000

While the balance of the New York State senate remains unclear, as votes continue to be counted in a pair of close Senate races, activists are calling on a breakaway political coalition to stick with the Democrats. A coalition of union and community groups believe some important issues depend on it.

Central New York state Senator running unopposed

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 20:03:48 +0000

One New York state Senate seat that has been hotly contested in recent years in central New York, will not be this year. Republicans have not been able to come up with anyone to run against Democrat Dave Valesky in the 53rd Senate District.

Erin Merryn's law comes to New York

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:08:06 +0000

There's a move afoot in the State Senate to make sure New York's children are taught what to do if they are sexually abused. Two state senators will propose legislation already in place in two other states, called Erin Merryn's law.