FOUR SENATORS JOIN HANDS IN PARTNERSHIP TO FORM INDEPENDENT ALBANY CAUCUS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) October 31, 2008 -- October 30, 2008, New York State – State Senator Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn), Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. (D-Bronx), New York Councilman Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) and Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. (D-Bronx) have announced the formation of an independent caucus that has vowed to "work together actively to promote a unified vision" to support the needs of their diverse communities in the upcoming legislative session.

Spearheaded by Sen. Kruger, Chairman of the Senate's Committee on Social Services, Children and Families, the group is working to insure that, in these difficult economic times, state government can function efficiently to protect the concerns of all New Yorkers. These discussions have focused on needed organizational reform; and the formulation of policies to address the impact of the proposed budget cuts on New York's citizens who are suffering from skyrocketing fuel costs, rising grocery prices and the challenges of paying mortgages while jobs are lost and incomes decline.

With plans to announce a detailed agenda before the legislative session begins, the group has pledged to "work together and speak with a strong and cohesive post-partisan voice."

The independent caucus believes, "Nationally, we are experiencing, in the face of uncertainty, a unique moment of both hope and opportunity. Now is the time to return to our core values, and take the bold steps necessary to solve the systemic problems of the status quo in Albany. This working group was created to move beyond the history of partisan politics and return the public interest to New York’s center stage."

Senators Kruger and Diaz, along with Councilman Monserrate and Senator Espada, said they will continue to meet during these critical days up to the election and will be watching Tuesday night's results with "great expectations."

"There are four of us now – as we begin to face the challenges of protecting New York families in the upcoming budget, and dealing with the social values that are so important to our coalition, we are confident others will join in our mission," they said.

Councilman Monserrate and Senator. Espada are widely expected to win Senate seats in the 13th District seat in Queens and the Bronx's 33rd District, respectively, in Tuesday's election.

albany     Carl Kruger     Caucus     Hiram Monseratte     independent     Pedro Espada     Ruben Diaz     State Senate