McMahon co-sponsors SCHIP bill

via press release;

Rep. Michael E. McMahon joined with over sixty-five percent of the House in voting today to pass the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) bill. S-CHIP is critical legislation for New York, which is one of the five states with the largest number of uninsured children. The bill will provided eleven million eligible children with health insurance, including many in the Congressman’s district of Staten Island and Brooklyn, as well as New York City as a whole.

S-CHIP, created in 1997, originally provided health insurance to seven million children in families that did not qualify for Medicaid, but could not afford private health insurance. The bipartisan legislation, which the House voted to reauthorize, renews and improves the original bill by providing health care to an additional four million eligible children. The S-CHIP bill was approved today by a vote of 289 to 139.

Speaking on the floor this morning, Rep. McMahon, a cosponsor of the bill, stated: “Today millions of children from modest income families are not regularly seeing a doctor because they are not enrolled in a children’s health insurance program, even though they are eligible. Today this Congress has an opportunity to change that by passing legislation that will expand the program to four million additional kids.” Noting the need for this legislation as the rate of unemployment rises in the country, Rep. McMahon continued that the bill is “especially important for my home state of New York, which has 402,000 uninsured kids… nearly ten percent of the national total.”

You may recall Fossella previously had voted against SCHIP. Isn't it nice to Rep. McMahon in Washington.

NRCC already targeting McMahon

The NRCC is not wasting much time realizing they screwed up in 2008 by losing this seat. via Congress Matters we see McMahon is on a lengthy list of targeted seats. Brownsox over at dailykos calls it the "shotgun" approach as they have put 51 Democrats on that list. After being trounced for two elections now you can't say they are setting their sights too low with this announcement. Joining McMahon on this list from New York are Reps. Arcuri, Gillibrand, Massa, and Maffei. Also on that list are members the NRCC has unsuccessfully been trying to pick off for years so take the whole thing with a grain of salt. It might be a shot over the bow of Democrats but they are using nerf toys.

Representative McMahon

McMahon lands Transportation Committee seat

via McMahon press release (PDF);

"I am proud that Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic Leadership chose me to serve on this powerful and important Committee. Staten Island and Brooklyn residents have some of the longest commutes in the United States, and our infrastructure has failed to keep up with growing populations in both boroughs. As a Member of this Committee, I will put New York City first to ensure that we have the Federal resources needed to improve our highways, expand public transportation, revitalize our waterways and create better transportation to lessen our dependence on cars and overcrowded highways. Better transportation in our area means a better quality of life for Staten Islanders and residents of Brooklyn," said Congressman McMahon.

McMahon had been trying to get on this committee so this should be seen as good news for him. This position will help him with the district's transportation issues likely including ferry service, 86th subway station and other MTA needs and possibly a north shore rail line.

McMahon Announces New Chief of Staff

via McMahon press release;

Former Chief of Staff to Rep. Joseph Crowley Now Serving Staten Island and Brooklyn

November 20, 2008 – After spending a demanding few days in Washington, DC, participating in New Member Orientation and preparing to serve as Staten Island and Brooklyn's newest Congressman, Congressman-elect Mike McMahon (NY-13) has appointed a new chief of staff: Mr. Christopher McCannell.

McCannell, a Fordham graduate originally from Maine, comes to McMahon's office from Washington, DC after having spent eight years as Chief of Staff to Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), and most recently as a Director in the bi-partisan government relations firm of Quinn Gillespie where he focused on financial services. McCannell served as the lead staff member in Congressman Crowley's office interacting with House Democratic leadership through his role as floor assistant to Crowley, the Chief Deputy Whip, Member of the powerful committee on Ways and Means and New York's highest ranking member of House Democratic leadership.

" I know the needs of my district very well, but I will need some help learning the ropes in DC," explained Congressman-elect McMahon, "Chris is experienced and will be my right hand man when it comes to having my district's needs met in DC."

Prior to working with Congressman Crowley, McCannell served as press secretary for Congressman Steny H. Hoyer, and on the staffs of Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski and Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and George J. Mitchell. Mr. McCannell brings thirteen years of experience in Congressional communication, policy and politics.

" I am proud to return to Capitol Hill to serve as Chief of Staff to Congressman-elect Mike McMahon. From going to school in New York and working eight years with Rep. Crowley, I know the city well and it is great to return to serve New York City's newest Member and a critical district to House Democratic leadership. Congressman-elect McMahon is coming to Washington at a historic time, and I look forward to working with him to deliver results for Staten Island and Brooklyn and make him the most effective Congressman possible," said Mr. McCannell.

Qualified Candidates

Yesterday the most qualified candidate was elect to serve in Congress. Notably Mike McMahon crushed the long held stereotype of the pundits and arm chair analysts had of this race. To win you had to be Italian and from Staten Island. For years now many have over looked qualifications for these non critical traits to determine who can run for this office.

Post primary we had Bob Straniere who didn't like in the district and Mike McMahon who wasn't Italian. A win by either would put to rest this long held ridiculous notion. After the 2010 election this district wlll grow to adjust for population growth and redistricting likely will mean inclusion of more neighborhoods of Brooklyn. It is good that before then we realize we need the most qualified candidate to run for office and not someone with the right mailing address or a last name that ends in a vowel.

Residents of this district need someone who will represent them well in Congress, be a ethical leader and someone who fights for the needs of the district. It is a profound mistake that we ever let the notion that stereotypes determine our elected leaders slip into the context of or conversations and I hope that this old way of thinking is put to rest, for the good of us all.

McMaon wins big

via press release;

McMahon Scores Sweeping Victory in Staten Island and Brooklyn Congressional Election, Sets Sight on Washington to Get Results for District

Topping Republican Opponent By Landslide 28 Points With 99% Reporting, Mike McMahon Decisively Wins Battle for 13th Congressional District Seat

Win Follows Massive GOTV Effort By McMahon, Along with Strong Fundraising and Operational Push by McMahon and National Dems

With Mandate from Staten Island and Brooklyn Voters in Hand, McMahon Looks to Washington to Bring Real Change and Results for District Residents

November 4, 2008 – Congressional candidate Michael McMahon scored a significant victory today against his opponents in the general election for the 13th Congressional District, covering all of Staten Island and parts of Southern Brooklyn. Winning in a landslide 61%-33% victory with 99% of the precincts reporting with large margins of support on both sides of the district, McMahon is the first Democrat to take the seat in 28 years. Following his victory, McMahon set his sight on winning results for the district in Washington, including funding for mass transit improvements, increasing access to health care, and creating real economic opportunity and tax relief for the district’s middle class families.

“I am grateful for the trust and faith the voters have put in me, and humbled by the difficult tasks that lie ahead. We built a coalition to achieve this victory. Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives and independents came together to vote for real change for this district, and I’ll work to build another bipartisan coalition in Washington to bring home real results. We need cooperation now more than ever. The economic crisis, crumbling infrastructure and our strained armed forces abroad will demand the best of us in Congress, and I hope to repay the voters for their trust tonight with hard work, dedication and a memory of who I’m there to serve,” McMahon said.

McMahon’s impressive victory comes after a round of notable endorsement from the Staten Island Advance and New York Times for his long record of proven results and bipartisan cooperation, nods from elected officials including Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Staten Island Borough Presidnet James Molinaro and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, as well as key labor endorsements from over twenty local unions.

McMahon ran a strong campaign out of the gates, raising $500,000 for his campaign within only three weeks of announcing his candidacy, and raising $1.4 million overall. McMahon attracted top-flight campaign talent from the Obama and Clinton campaigns, as well as Senator Schumer’s office, and the offices of Representatives Joe Crowley and Steve Israel. Over the course of the campaign, McMahon attracted hundreds of volunteers who knocked on over 30,000 doors and called over 100,000 voters, blanketing the district with grassroots support.

McMahon also earned a spot on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's vaunted “Red to Blue” program, ensuring key financial, communications and strategic backing for the campaign, along with a rare primary endorsement from DCCC Chairman Representative Chris Van Hollen and area visits from Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar.

McMahon’s sharply increased name recognition and strong margins on both Staten Island and in Brooklyn in the election leave him primed to best represent the residents of the 13th Congressional District, and bring home the results for his district from Congress as he did for seven years from the City Council.

Vote McMahon on "Row E"

I received the following ask from a Working Families Party who is asking supporters to vote for Obama on their ballot line. I have inserted McMahon, but the reasonings are still the same. I hope you consider this;

Good candidates are important, and we have one in Mike McMahon.

We hope you're not just voting for him, but doing so enthusiastically on the Working Families ballot line ("Row E").

At least as important as the candidate is the party. Parties allow people to support a set of values, not just a candidate. Voting on the Working Families line on Tuesday counts the same, but it also says "Yes!" to the Working Families view of the world.

You're saying: we can do better than this. We can create a country in which all people have a decent shot at a meaningful, secure life.

It's not pie-in-the-sky. We know how to do it.

Health care for everyone. A decent job with decent wages. A house or an apartment you can afford. A good school with a good teacher. An end to stupid foreign policy adventures. An end to Wall Street rip-off artists.

That's the Working Families Party. We stand with you 365 days a year. Please stand with us tomorrow by voting for the entire Working Families Party ticket.

Advance endorsement of McMahon, part IV

The Staten Island Advance has a lengthy write up on why they are endorsing Mike McMahon for Congress. Here is the fourth part;

Indeed, we commend all four candidates for an intelligent, civil and highly informative campaign. They've raised the level of discourse in Staten Island politics and deserve the thanks of every voter.

The clear choice for us, however, is Mr. McMahon, who has been forced to be on top of his game by these three exceptional challengers. He came through the debates and the forums with flying colors, in our estimation.

Now we urge Staten Island voters to get him through the last part of the way and reward him with a hard-earned victory in the contest for the borough's congressional seat come Election Day.

Vote McMahon on Working Families Party Line

via a WFP email;

After eight years of breathtaking stupidity and lying by our nation's leaders, we are on the verge of a new era in American politics. Or so we hope.

If Obama and the Congressional Democrats win on November 4th, the pressure on them to play it safe will be enormous. The healthcare crisis, the mortgage crisis, the lack of family-supporting jobs, the need for a green path to energy independence, the heartbreaking loss of life in Iraq - each one will require audaciousness from Obama and Congress.

They will only be as bold as we make them.

Votes on the Working Families Party line send a clear message: be bold. And you can be confident that the WFP will continue the fight after Election Day.

It's time politicians put working people above big corporations. It's time to guarantee affordable healthcare. And it's time we protect homeowners at least as much as investment bankers.

Even with a change of parties in Washington (or Albany), we'll have to work as hard as ever to make that vision a reality.
Of course, that's why we're here.

Take the Working Families pledge, and then help spread the word:
http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/obama/

48 hour notice updates

Earlier this week we had fund raising numbers from October 15 through 28;

McMahon (D): $105,347.87
Straniere (R): $15,600

The numbers since then through October 31 are;

McMahon (D): $49,100
Straniere (R): $1,000

TOTALS:
McMahon: $154,447
Straniere: $16,600

Mike McMahon is closing out this election with great fundraising numbers, while Straniere is still struggling to bring in enough to cover final campaign costs like office rent, staff salaries and supplies.

Advance endorsement of McMahon, part III

The Staten Island Advance has a lengthy write up on why they are endorsing Mike McMahon for Congress. Here is the third part;

But Mr. Straniere has always had chinks in his armor. One is that he talks a good game, sometimes taking credit for things in which he had only a peripheral role, but he was never especially productive as a legislator. Of course, in fairness, as a perennial member of the minority in the Assembly, he was always stymied. However, as a member of the likely Republican minority in the House, we fear he'd again fall back on press releases and public pronouncements.

Of more concern is the astonishing number of financial and legal entanglements that have bedeviled him throughout his political career, and even after he left public office. At some point, we've got to wonder what he's been doing to bring on all this trouble.

And, while Mr. Straniere recently established a residence in New Springville in furtherance of his congressional run (though members of the House are not required to live in the districts they represent), questions about his actual place of residence have always hung over him. These kinds of doubts and Mr. Straniere's elusiveness in addressing them raise issues of trust.

Advance endorsement of McMahon, part II

The Staten Island Advance has a lengthy write up on why they are endorsing Mike McMahon for Congress. Here is the second part;

Mr. McMahon has always been thoughtful and well-reasoned in articulating his positions, including on national and international issues. We have no doubt that this approach, which is all too rare in national politics these days, will enable him to make a seamless transition to the larger stage the House of Representatives affords.

While there's always a danger a freshman lawmaker will be dazzled by his elevated status and perhaps too eager to please new leaders, we believe Mr. McMahon will make the best use of his new platform while continuing his intense and effective involvement in Staten Island-specific issues.

Advance endorsement of McMahon, part I

The Staten Island Advance has a lengthy write up on why they are endorsing Mike McMahon for Congress. Here is the first part;

The diversity of Mr. McMahon's backers is a testament to his sensible, practical approach to the business of lawmaking and political leadership. He has consistently disdained ideology and partisan politics in favor of building consensus to achieve realistic goals.

The best evidence of his pragmatic style was his key role, as chairman of the Council Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, in forging the city's long-term solid-waste management plan. To do this, he had to work behind the scenes with other Council members whose boroughs would be affected, as well as with the Bloomberg administration itself.

and

Lately, he has been at the fore of the effort to pressure the Health and Hospitals Corp. to provide a fair level of health-care funding for this borough of beleaguered private hospital systems.

We expect that he will be an even more forceful champion in this important struggle should he be elected to Congress.

And, at the federal level, Staten Islanders will demand that he become a powerful advocate for the major mass transportation improvements Staten Island sorely needs. Those who vote for him are counting on it.

McMahon announces support for Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

via press release;

October 30, 2008 – Standing with the next generation of working women at Wagner College, Congressional candidate Michael McMahon today announced his support for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was defeated this year in Congress. The Fair Pay Act, which was drafted in response to a 2007 Supreme Court ruling making it significantly harder for women to sue for pay discrimination, will likely be reintroduced in next year’s Congress. Currently, women make only 77.8 cents to the dollar for men.

“As a father and husband, I think it’s shameful that we haven’t been able to close the gender wage gap. This legislation will go lengths in ensuring that when women face inequality in the workplace, they will be able to fight for and protect their right to fair, equal treatment,” McMahon said.

On May 29, 2007, the Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 ruling that made it significantly harder for women and other workers to sue their employers for discrimination in pay. Lilly Ledbetter had been chronically underpaid since she began working for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1979, but did not discover the discrimination until decades later. In March 1998 she inquired into possible discriminatory practices by the company, and filed charges in July.

The Court ruled that since Ledbetter had not filed her charge of pay discrimination within 180 days of her employer’s initial decision to pay her less (dating back to her start of employment), she could not receive any relief. Under longstanding precedent and the interpretation of the EEOC, every paycheck resulting from an earlier discriminatory pay decision is considered a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and other key anti-discrimination statutes. Therefore, as long as a worker files within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck, their charges are considered as timely. The Court ruling upended that practice, instead restricting workers to file charges within 180 days of the initial discrimination, during which time the discrimination may be difficult or impossible to detect due to the fact that pay discrimination often occurs in small increments over long periods of time, and because the pay information of fellow workers is typically confidential and unavailable for comparison.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would have changed the law to begin a new 180 day statute of limitations with every paycheck. It would also clarify that, once a worker files a charge, he or she needs not keep filing new charges with each new paycheck.

The legislation is essential to ensure that women are able to protect their right to equal pay for equal work, enshrined in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 which made it illegal to pay men and women different wages for equal work on jobs that require similar skill sets, effort and responsibility under comparable working conditions. Yet, since the Act’s passage forty-five years ago, women’s wages have only progressed from 58.9 cents on the dollar compared to men to 77.8 cents on the dollar – less than a half-cent per year.

48 hour notice updates

Here are the contribution updates via 48 hour notice filings. These contributions have come in after the October 15 pre-general filing I recently updated;

McMahon (D): $105,347.87
Straniere (R): $15,600

McMahon has a real campaign operation

It is almost funny to see media covering one candidate or another's volunteers showing up at an event. Once again McMahon's enthusiastic volunteers showed up prior to last night's debate for visibility and campaign work. Once again it has grabbed headlines;

The inclement weather did not keep Democrat Mike McMahon's forces from the Staten Island's Hilton Garden Inn.

About 30 supporters arrived more than an hour before the congressional debate.

I am sure sooner or later Bob will get some volunteers excited about this candidacy.

McMahon on healthcare

From tonight's debate: When asked what bill, if guaranteed to pass, would each candidate put forward as their first act as a member of Congress, Mike McMahon offered the following;

A bill that says universal health care is "a right, not a privilege."

It will be great having this man in Congress.

Saturday: Get out the vote rally for McMahon

GOTV rally and canvass kick off
585 North Gannon Ave, Westerleigh Office [Google Map]
Saturday, 10am

Also I am told there will be free food! So come out and help with the final push to take back this Congressional seat.

Are we finally building a district-wide ground opperation?

Feb 2007;

The WFP GOTV effort has shown us that the old rhetoric that a seat is not winnable or is too conservative no longer rings true. How scalable and influential can this be in a congressional district in a Presidential year, well that remains to be seen. However we have learned one thing, that here in New York City, where incumbents and party machines seem to rule, good old canvassing and volunteer armies can shake things up from time to time.

March 2007;

And Innamorato, an Eltingville resident, said he will continue to fly the Democratic flag on the South Shore no matter what.

"I'm committed to building the party, enrolling voters and delivering good candidates to them," he said.

This week via the Advance;

In 2007, the McMahon forces worked the district on behalf of Manny Innamorato, who lost a City Council special election to Republican Vinny Ignizio.

At the time, McMahon and his supporters were looking down the road toward a possible 2009 run for Borough Hall.

As it turns out, the experience has come in handy a little sooner than expected.

"We're trying to get into every area of Staten Island, and into Brooklyn, every day," McMahon said of his overall campaign strategy. "And we're trying to spread our events around. That's an important message to send."