Brian spoke at a rally for John Hall on Wednesday that also featured an appearance by Senator Hillary Clinton. Senator Clinton, who has endorsed Brian, had this to say about Brian's candidacy:

"Brian Keeler is a rising star in the New York State Democratic Party, and Dutchess and Columbia Counties will be well served in Albany by his vision, energy and ideas," Senator Clinton said. "We look forward to partnering with Brian in the years ahead to bring open government, accountability and fiscal responsibility to Albany and Washington."

Here's video of his speech:

On Tuesday October 24, 2006, Brian received the endorsement of Hopewell Junction Citizens For Clean Water. This was the statement issued by Debra Hall, a founder of the organization and concerned resident of the Hopewell Precision Superfund Site:

By Debra Hall, Hopewell Junction Citizens for Clean Water

www.Hopewell-Junction-Citizens-for-Clean-Water.org

Hopewell resident, Brian Keeler is running for State Senator against the 26 year Republican incumbent, Steven Saland. When elected, Mr. Keeler will be an effective Senator, representing our interests rather than protecting special interests and corporate contributors.

Every New Yorker should be guaranteed clean, safe, potable water. We need a Senator that will protect this most basic human health issue and Brian Keeler supports mandatory well water testing, “We cannot afford to have a well water policy dependent on people becoming sick before the problem is investigated. The safety of our drinking water should not be optional.”

Twenty-five local and statewide environmental groups wrote to Saland, asking him to support a State wide well water testing bill similar to the bill which passed unanimously in the Assembly. Saland would not, instead, opting for a voluntary testing program. In Saland’s plan only the neighborhoods with contaminated water would require testing.

The rest of the statement and video of the press conference can be found in the extended entry

Read the rest of this entry...

Brian debated Incumbent state senator Steve Saland on Cablevision October 16, 2006. Here are the last two parts of excerpts from that debate.

Brian spoke on Thursday at a rally for the Congressional candidate from New York's 20th Congressional District Kirsten Gillibrand that also featured former President of the United States, Bill Clinton.

Brian addressed the raucous crowd of over 500 in Albany and asked them to come join the team of Kirsten Gillibrand, Elliot Spitzer, Hillary Clinton and himself to build a NEW New York. Here is video of Brian's remarks.

Brian held a press conference in front of 18th century one room schoolhouse in Lagrange on Monday with fellow State Senate candidate Mike Kaplowitz to introduce and sign the F.A.S.T. Pledge (Fix Albany School Tax). Brian and Mike pledge to make real, meaningful and comprehensive school tax reform their top priority in the 2007 legislative session and to F.A.S.T.-track efforts to fix this pressing problem right away.

"I will present to you, the people in my district, by April 15 of 2007, my first draft school tax reform bill, founded on the principles of my FAST pledge to you today. And those principles are: securing school funding based on the ability to pay, fair and equitable funding that provides a quality education to every child in the state and protecting our seniors and families from forced relocation due to the crushing burden of school taxes." Brian said.

"And by April 15, I will hold my first forum, in the 41st district, where I will ask for your input on my bill and other proposals that represent the spirit of my FAST pledge. I will hold other forums across the state asking people to participate in a new process of open government where we solve problems together, and where I, as your elected representative, will reach across the aisle in Albany, and bring your solutions, consolidated in my bill, to the floor for a vote. And by the end of the 2007 legislative session we, in the legislature, together with Eliot Spitzer will pass a school funding reform bill founded on the principles of my FAST pledge that I have made to you today.

I challenge the rest of the legislature to follow my lead in creating a new way of doing business in Albany that is problem-solving and participatory, based on a transparent and open government."

Brian's new TV ads start running throughout the 41st District today! Check 'em out!

Brian attended a forum on school taxes wednesday night at Arlington High School.

The forum, which was sponsored by H.A.L.T. (Help Arlington Lower Taxes) was attended by well over 200 taxpayers for across the 41st District who are concerned about the school tax crisis and what is to be done about it.

From the Poughkeepsie Journal: Taxpayers, teachers call for school funding reform

Thursday, October 19, 2006 By Erikah Haavie
Poughkeepsie Journal

FREEDOM PLAINS —Dawn Babiker came to Arlington High School Wednesday with a question in her mind, "Why are taxes so high?"

She described the taxes on her Town of LaGrange home as astronomical. "I want to see what they're going to do about taxes in our community," Babiker said. The topic of school taxes brought about 200 school board members, district staff and community members together for a meeting in the high school auditorium.

The Help Arlington Lower Taxes committee sponsored the informational meeting to discuss the complexities of school funding and what proposals are out there to fix the school funding system.
....
"There is a problem. We don't have one fix," said Michael Shields, a Town of Poughkeepsie resident and co-chairman of Help Arlington Lower Taxes.
Shields said he'd like to see more community discussion and more action by local legislators on school funding.

The following is video of taxpayers who attended the event. Brian was there to listen to (and share) their concerns.

For Immediate Release

Spitzer Endorses Keeler for New York State Senate

(June 22, 2006, Hopewell Junction, New York)

Today, the Keeler2006 campaign announced that Eliot Spitzer, Democratic candidate for Governor of New York, endorsed Brian Keeler in his race for the New York State Senate in the 41st District, which includes most of utchess and all of Columbia County.

“I look forward to working with Brian in Albany,” Spitzer said. “From day one of our administration, the Spitzer/Paterson/Keeler team will work for real reform; transforming state government for the better every step of the way.”

“We are pleased to be working with Eliot,” Keeler said. “Together we can create a NEW Team, for a NEW vision of the future, for a NEW sense of hope and a NEW New York.”

For more information, please contact Audrey Molsky at (914) 489-9961.
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Senator Clinton Endorses Keeler for New York State Senate

Senator Hillary Clinton endorsed Brian Keeler in his race for the New York State Senate in the 41st District, which includes most of Dutchess and all of Columbia County.

"Brian Keeler is a rising star in the New York State Democratic Party, and Dutchess and Columbia Counties will be well served in Albany by his vision, energy and ideas," Senator Clinton said. "We look forward to partnering with Brian in the years ahead to bring open government, accountability and fiscal responsibility to Albany and Washington."

"We are thrilled to receive this important endorsement," Keeler said. "Senator Clinton has been a wonderful advocate for the people of New York in Washington. I intend to be the same kind of advocate in Albany for people of the 41st District."

Democrat mounts challenge in state Senate race

By RICHARD ROTH

HILLSDALE—Brian Keeler, the Democratic candidate for the 41st district state Senate seat held by Republican Steve Saland for the past 16 years, says he can’t outspend the incumbent, but he will have a “well-funded, well-supported” campaign.

“We will give [Mr. Saland] something he hasn’t had, which is a serious race here in the Hudson Valley,” says Mr. Keeler. “Steve Saland has, at last report, $300,000 in the bank from years gone by. But we can run an effective campaign with the budget we have.”

Mr. Keeler says Mr. Saland, as chairman of the Senate Education Committee, is “more responsible for the property tax crisis than any other senator in Albany, period.”