Ann Marie Buerkle

Last night, President Obama delivered his State of the Union Address to Congress and the American People. In his speech he claimed that “the state of our union is stronger.” While I applaud the President’s words of support for crucial tasks such as improving our economy, helping the middle class, and reducing the deficit, I cannot ignore the fact that his policies have done anything but that. For the past four years there has been a 49.3% increase in the number of Americans on food stamps and there are 3.2 million fewer jobs than there was in 2007. Mr. President, the state of our union is not stronger, but it can be. It can be if we work together to unite America by setting aside the partisanship and divisiveness that was conveyed last night and in this year’s inauguration speech. We can build a stronger America for our children and grandchildren if we unite and work to develop real, bipartisan solutions to grow our economy, get the American people back to work, and create more opportunities for the next generation.

Buerkle Gets MACNY PAC Endorsement

by Kevin Tampone of the CNY Business Journal

10/31/2012 12:17:00 PM

SYRACUSE — MANUPAC, the political action committee of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, Inc., endorsed Republican U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle for re-election in her race against Democrat Dan Maffei.

Buerkle defeated Maffei for the seat in 2010 by 648 votes. They’re competing in the newly drawn 24th Congressional District, which includes much of the greater Syracuse area. MANUPAC issued a joint statement on the endorsement with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is also backing Buerkle.

“This congressional race has given us a unique opportunity to evaluate two candidates as our congressional representative during their different terms in office,” Randy Wolken, MACNY president said in a news release. “This, coupled with the platforms set forth by all the candidates allowed us to see who would best serve this region in Washington, with an agenda best suited for the needs of our region’s manufacturing and business community.

“The past two years, Ann Marie has exemplified a pro-jobs and pro-business representative and has voted in favor of many of the pieces of legislation that are critical to foster growth and a better business climate for manufacturers.”

MACNY represents more than 330 companies in a 19-county region of upstate New York.

Contact Tampone at ktampone@cnybj.com

To View Business Journal Article Click Here

YNN and the Campbell Public Affairs Institute at Syracuse University extended an invitation for the three candidates running for the 24th Congressional District to debate. Two of them accepted the offer: Republican incumbent Ann Marie Buerkle and Green Party candidate Ursula Rozum. Democrat Dan Maffei declined the invitation, citing concerns with the format utilized.He chose not to participate after repeated discussions with his Campaign and YNN.

The professional moderators assured Mr. Maffei they would not allow any candidate to dominate the discussion and had hoped he would reconsider his decision. However, Mr. Maffei’s  podium stood empty for the entire debate.

As the mother of six children and grandmother of thirteen, Ann Marie Buerkle is an unwavering supporter of Public Education. Ann Marie believes that in order to give our children a world class education, we must keep education decisions with our state and local governments. As well as with the teachers and parents who know best about the educational needs of their children.The bureaucrats at the Department of Education in Washington know nothing about what is best for Syracuse City schools or the other schools in our District. Unfortunately, Washington bureaucrats are currently using unfunded mandates to force our children into a one size fits all mold that is not attentive to the individual and unique needs of our local school districts. Ann Marie has met with both Administrators and teachers and heard their countless frustrations in meeting the educational needs of their students because of these mandates.

The truth is, the Department of Education is adding jobs in Washington while our school districts here in Central New York are forced to cut our children’s teachers. Dan Maffei supports the current status quo in education, which is quickly eroding America’s education system and failing our children.

Come join Congresswoman Buerkle Saturday, November 3rd at 10:00am for our District wide bus tour kick-off! We will be having a Rally at the Burdick Village Conference Center.

Several other local Republican politicians will be participating with us.This is a  family friendly event and children are encouraged to attend!

Please RSVP to David Ray at: David@BuerkleForCongress.com

Drivers Village Conference Center – 5885 E. Circle Drive – Cicero, NY 13039

For 31 years, I had the privilege of serving the Central New York community in public office, 11 years in Syracuse City Hall and 20 in the House of Representatives in Washington. It was an exciting, challenging and deeply fulfilling career. I am so grateful to the people of my community for honoring me with your support each time I ran.

Since my retirement in 2008, I have stayed away from the political scene and found great joy in my new career, quality time with DeDe, the kids and our new granddaughter. Life is so much simpler now.

Over the past several months, however, I have increasingly felt the need to comment on the current campaign for the 24th Congressional District. A number of my friends have told me that Dan Maffei, who challenged me back in 2006 and is now running for Congress for a fourth time, has embraced my record, saying that he and I are moderates and that we have similar voting records.

Why would he say that when during our race he spent over a million dollars to criticize and attack my record? It didn’t work then, and now we have this amazing turnaround. It’s inexplicable. In fact, during Maffei’s two years in Congress, his votes were anything but similar to mine. He voted for cap-and-trade legislation, the $800 billion stimulus bill and Obamacare. These are three of the greatest intrusions by government into the private sector in my memory. Welch Allyn, one of our great local companies, has been forced by the new taxes in Obamacare to lay off 10 percent of its workforce. Local hospitals are being squeezed, too.

I would have opposed these bills vocally and passionately. Maffei also voted with the Democratic Party leadership over 96 percent of the time.

Dan Maffei is comparing his record to mine to benefit himself. I don’t want people to be misled, because there is no comparison.

My wife DeDe and I support Ann Marie Buerkle for another term in Congress. She is a good, sincere person who works hard and takes the time to stay in touch with the people of Central New York. We are proud to call her friend and Representative.

Thanks again for the memories, and please don’t forget to vote.

James T. Walsh, a Republican, was a member of Congress from 1989 to 2009. He is now a lobbyist with K&L Gates, in Washington, D.C.

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