Amsterdam's "Bridge to Nowhere" another example of Paul Tonko's
penchant for pork, disregard for taxpayers

Jim Buhrmaster Calls on state Comptroller to Withhold Funds for Pork Project

Congressional candidate Jim Buhrmaster (R - 21st District) today called on State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to withhold $16.5 million in borrowed state money secured by former state Assemblyman Paul Tonko for a proposed pedestrian bridge to span the Mohawk River. Buhrmaster noted that a pedestrian bridge connecting the north and south side of Amsterdam already exists, and that there is little to no public support for the project.

"Constructing an additional pedestrian bridge at that cost when one already exists is ridiculous," said Buhrmaster. "Money would be much better spent on transportation infrastructure projects in the City of Amsterdam that actually help the businesses and people that live there, not some walking bridge that nobody even wants."

Funds for the proposed project come from the 2005 Transportation Bond Act - which voters of Montgomery County rejected - and are currently under review by the state Comptroller's office.

Buhrmaster said that given the state's fiscal condition, cutting back on pork should be a major priority.

"There is always a need to engage in worthwhile transportation infrastructure projects," said Buhrmaster, "but this one doesn't pass the smell test. In a small city like Amsterdam, $16.5 million could go a long way and do a lot more good than building this bridge. And, it is also my understanding that professional civil servants in the state government believe this project is not an appropriate use of borrowed public money."

In a separate twist, Buhrmaster also noted that the funding for this footbridge comes from a $50 million allocation to projects that are supposed to benefit the state Canal System.

"Paul Tonko just can't seem to get away from fiscal gimmicks involving the Thruway and the Canal," said Buhrmaster. "First, he votes for legislation requiring $80 million in Thruway tolls to be diverted each year to operate the Canal - by now almost a billion dollars total - and now he wants to spend money intended for the Canal on a footbridge."

"Regardless of where the money for it comes from, Amsterdam's Bridge to Nowhere is the perfect example of pork-barrel spending at its worst and I am calling on the Comptroller to put a stop to it," said Buhrmaster. "We can't afford to waste money like this on some career politician's legacy."


Source: http://www.jimbuhrmaster.com/081009.htm

Tonko voted NO on securing our borders,  This Election Day, -- Just vote NO on Tonko.

Aug. 1, 2014     HR 5230     Secure the Southwest Border Act of 2014     Bill Passed - House
(223 - 189)     Nay

never voted or supported him before....wouldn't start now!

Just being endorsed by PEF - AFL/CIO and UAW was enough for me to vote against him.

Quoted Text

Paul Tonko is well-suited to represent the newly drawn 20th District, which is
becoming one of the hottest regions in the country for high-tech jobs, including the
Global- Foundries site in Saratoga County and GE in Schenectady. The district includes
Albany and Schenectady counties and parts of Saratoga, Rensselaer and Montgomery counties.

Now finishing his second term in Congress, Tonko is an engineer who has created
something of a niche for himself on energy issues, to which he brings expertise,
enthusiasm, experience and creativity. After more than 20 years as a popular state
assemblyman, the lifelong Amsterdam resident served for two years as president
and CEO of the state Energy Research and Development Authority.

He has proven himself to be reasonable and practical, an essential combination for
building partnerships and getting things done. He recognizes, for instance, that
Obamacare -- as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has come to be known
-- is a work in progress. He has already voted for some reforms and sees the need for
more.

The Saratogian

Can anyone name a single piece of legislation that Tonko has written and gotten passed into law?

Can anyone explain why Tonko accepted $10,000 in campaign contributions from American Crystal Sugar? (source Opensecrets.org)  By the way - he was the top recipient in the House of Representatives of $$$ from this contributor -  must be a "sweet deal" in the works.  

He also received $10,660 from the State of New York Higher Education Services.  I didn't know that the State could make political campaign contributions -- but apparently they can.

Tonko......everyone's creepy uncle

Jim Fischer is anti SAFE act.

Quoted from senders

Tonko......everyone's creepy uncle

Asked this question 2 days ago:

Can anyone name a single piece of legislation that Tonko has written and gotten passed into law?

The response has been complete silence.

Also, no response on what the sugar people want from Tonko in exchange for a $10,000 campaign contribution.   We known what the extreme liberal special interest groups expect in exchange for their bags of money -- but what "sweet deal" are the sugar people getting/looking for?

You can count on me to not vote for Tonko!

It's time for Tonko to go.

Quoted from Shadow

It's time for Tonko to go.

OVERDUE....but betcha he wins!
I think he wins the award for kissing more babies, shaking more hands and being in more photos than ANY politician. Ya know...the creepy uncle.

Don't forget attending more free dinners.

Quoted from Shadow

Don't forget attending more free dinners.

that's about it......he's not much different than those in the DSS line....only we pay him to dress better for stupid
reason...