Brian Keeler for NY State Senate - a new New York

Thank You.

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 11:32:36 -0500

First thing's first.

I want to thank EVERYONE who supported this campaign and encouraged us to move forward and practice this process called democracy. I'm sure I'll have more later to add when I can catch my breath.

I also want to congratulate Senator Saland on his victory. I am appreciative that we both ran a clean race and focused on issues and policy.

The future? We all need to keep pressing our legislature in Albany to:

- Open our government be reponsive to people, not special interest money.

- Deliver on REAL property tax relief.

- Secure Health Care Security for all New Yorkers.

We have plenty of work to do tomorrow, but for today, thank you.

It's TIME....to vote.

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:25:03 -0500

It's time to practice this thing called Democracy. We've done our part. Please do yours.

VOTE.

My Best, Brian

GOTV Rally with Brian, Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Clinton

Sat, 04 Nov 2006 23:53:13 -0500

Please Join Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Congressional Candidate NY-20
and Special Guest Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton For our Dutchess County Get-Out-The-VOTE Rally!
Sunday, November 5th
Event begins promptly at 3:45pm and runs until 6:00 pm
The Big Barn
Tymor Park
6 Tymor Park Road off County Route 21 Lagrangeville, New York
The event is free.
Please bring your family, friends, and neighbors. For details or questions, call Ross Offinger at 718-344-8045
Directions:
From North/South Dutchess County: Take the Taconic Parkway to the Poughkeepsie/Pawling Exit. After exiting head East towards Pawling on Route 55.

Brian Campaigns With Eliot Spitzer, John Hall

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:49:41 -0500

Eliot Spitzer, the next Governor of the Great State of New York, came to Fishkill on Tuesday to campaign with Brian and Congressional candidate John Hall. Spitzer, who has endorsed Brian, had this to say about Brian:

“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.”

Brian added:

“We are pleased to be working with Eliot. 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.”

Video of Brian's Remarks at John Hall Rally With Hillary Clinton

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:45:56 -0500

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:

My Answers To Some Excellent Questions

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 09:45:15 -0500

For the past couple of months I have spent at least a few very early mornings each week on train platforms introducing myself to the commuters of the 41st District. I have met thousands of citizens at stations in Poughkeepsie, Beacon and New Hamburg. Honestly, it's been one of the most rewarding experiences of the entire campaign.

I recently received an excellent letter from a commuter I had the pleasure to meet all too briefly on the platform in Poughkeepsie. The letter contains some really excellent and thoughtful questions, questions that deserve answers.

With the the author's gracious permission, I have reprinted that letter with my answers here on our campaign website so that those who may have similar questions can benefit as well.

Saw you at the Poughkeepsie Train Station this morning... was in too much of a dash to catch the train to stop and speak with you directly.

Many people are in a hurry early in the AM. Thanks for taking the time to read our material.

I hear all this talk about how we have a tax crisis - property and school taxes combined. But what are your plans to do something about it?

At the moment, we have a 19th Century education funding system supporting a 21st Century education system. We fund our schools with a property tax which no longer is an indication of wealth or income. Therefore, many people who have homes that are now worth many times the value of their initial cost can’t afford their exploding property tax bills. We need to switch to a funding system that is based upon the ability to pay (income tax). We need to do it now.

At 30 years of age, I have yet to find myself trusting my vote when it comes time to hit the polls.

So sad and I know you would agree. So what can you tell me - and everyone for that matter, that would help me trust that my vote for you will help address and resolve our tax crisis?

I give you my pledge. I recently signed the F.A.S.T (Fix Albany School Tax) Pledge where I pledged to to FAST-track solutions to this extremely complex and serious problem. I have pledged to hold town hall meetings looking for the input of the citizens of the 41st District. What I have pledged to do is to tackle the problem from day one, to look for new solutions and new thinking, and to quit punting this problem down the road. Our children as well as the taxpayers of New York deserve nothing less than a comprehensive set of solutions ASAP.

Video of Hopewell Junction Citizens For Clean Water Endorsement.

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:31:51 -0500

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

Video of the Keeler-Saland Debate Parts 1 and 2

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 21:55:51 -0400

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

Video of the Keeler-Saland Debate Parts 3 and 4

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 14:48:15 -0400

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

Video of the Keeler-Saland Debate Parts 3 and 4

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 14:48:15 -0400

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

Brian Speaks at Rally for Kirsten Gillibrand

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 12:20:47 -0400

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.

Cablevision Coverage of F.A.S.T. Pledge

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:26:23 -0400

Here's the Cablevision coverage of Brian and Mike Kaplowitz signing the F.A.S.T. (Fix Albany School Tax) pledge.

Brian Makes F.A.S.T Pledge

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:49:17 -0400

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."

New TV Ads!

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 10:43:55 -0400

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

Brian Attends H.A.L.T. Forum on School Taxes at Arlington High School

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 11:45:07 -0400

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.