Central New York Republicans are weighing in on the scandal surrounding the New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos scandal.
Onondaga County GOP Chairman Tom Dadey is calling for Skelos to resign, so state government can get back to the people’s business, instead of what he calls wasting tax dollars and time defending the Long Island Republican.
Onondaga County comptroller and former state comptroller candidate Robert Antonacci also agrees that Skelos should step down as majority leader immediately. He says as long as the state allows lawmakers to accept massive amounts of money from lobbyists, this type of corruption will continue.
But Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney isn’t quite so quick to call for Skelos to go, and says she will go along with state lawmakers who have agreed to let Skelos keep his post.
“I don’t second guess that decision. I don’t know any more than anyone else knows. But if that is what our elected representatives have decided, after being privy to information, and have the opportunity to talk to Sen. Skelos, then I’m happy to wait and abide by that decision and see where it goes from here,” she said.
Mahoney does say that senators should revisit the issue every day, and if something changes and the conversation becomes distracting, then things could change.
And the Republican says she is disturbed though that federal charges against another Albany politician, puts a bad light on all representatives in state government.
“And that’s where my concern is, for the reputation that’s out there in the public, is for the people who are trying to do the business of the state who are making the kind of place where our kids what to live. From that perspective, it’s very disappointing. I would hope that people would recognize specific instances and not paint everybody with the same broad brush,” said Mahoney.
