Wayne County Pizza Fundraiser Invite

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            Contact: David Ray
April 30, 2012                                                                                      Office: 315-445-1115

SYRACUSE, NY – The National Federation of Independent Businesses released their annual scorecard, showing Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle with a 100% rating on issues important to small business owners.

Buerkle was one of only four members of the New York State federal delegation to receive a perfect score from NFIB. Among the important votes considered in calculating Buerkle’s score were:

-Repealing the healthcare law: This measure was supported by 93% of small business owners in NFIB’s 2010 Member Ballot.

-Balanced Budget Amendment: This measure was supported by 90% of small business owners in NFIB’s 2010 Member Ballot.

-Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act: This bill would repeal the expensive and burdensome paperwork included in PPACA that required all businesses that pay another individual or business $600 or more to submit a 1099 to the IRS each year

-Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act: This bill would prevent the EPA from imposing stifling regulations on farm dust and other naturally occurring organic materials in rural areas.

The National Federation of Independent Business is the leading small business association representing small and independent businesses. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB represents the consensus views of its members in Washington and all 50 state capitals.

Nation’s Largest Business Organization Backs Buerkle

Says Buerkle’s re-election will “help create more jobs”

Syracuse, NY – Buerkle for Congress announced today that they had earned the endorsement of the United States Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce will be backing Buerkle’s re-election bid in 2012 based on her pro-growth, pro-jobs voting record on economic issues while in Congress.

Thomas J. Donohue, President of the U.S. Chamber, said of Buerkle that “Your record of support on pro-business issues earned this endorsement. At no other time in our nation’s history has it been more critical that Members of Congress provide leadership that protects and advances the interests of the business community.”

 Donohue went on to say that Buerkle’s re-election “Will help produce sustained economic growth, help create more jobs, and get our country back on track.”

 Congresswoman Buerkle thanked the Chamber of Commerce for their endorsement: “It is an honor to be backed by the hardworking entrepreneurs that create jobs all across our country. We must support policies that create jobs and economic opportunity for the millions of Americans struggling through this economic downturn.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
Historically, an endorsement from the U.S. Chamber has served candidates well. In the 2010 elections, 236 of the 276 Chamber-endorsed candidates were elected.

Winning NY-24 Race is a National Priority for GOP

Syracuse, NY – The National Republican Congressional Committee announced today that Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle will be included in the fourth round of Patriot Program members for the 2012 election cycle. Being included in the Patriot Program is a sign that the NY-24 race will be among the top priorities nationally this year for the GOP.

The NRCC’s Patriot Program empowers incumbent Members to build strong and winning campaigns through goals, benchmarks, and accountability. The program was established in 2009 by NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (TX).

“The Patriot Program is about staying on offense by building strong and winning campaigns against Democrats and their agenda that bankrupts our nation,”said Chairman Sessions. “Ann Marie Buerkle has demonstrated the leadership and ability to wage an aggressive campaign based on rigorous goals and proven strategies for victory.  I’m very proud of Ann Marie Buerkle and these Patriot members who are leading the fight for victory in 2012.”

Congresswoman Buerkle highlighted the importance of inclusion to the program: “Our campaign is gaining momentum each and every day, and our inclusion into this program is a major step toward victory this Fall. I look forward to running a spirited campaign focused on creating jobs and improving our economy for Upstate New Yorkers and working class families.”

The Buerkle campaign recently received the Independence Party endorsement and posted its strongest fundraising quarter of the 2012 campaign cycle.

“We are continuing to see people from all walks of life come together to support my candidacy,” said Buerkle.“We will continue to gather the resources necessary to share my vision of jobs and economic growth with voters of the 24^th District and hold Dan Maffei accountable for his rubber-stamp support of the Nancy Pelosi agenda.”

The Buerkle campaign continues to build on the momentum from their previous quarter, which was at that time the most their campaign had ever raised.

1^st Quarter, 2012 – Buerkle for Congress
Total Number of Donors:  807
Number of Donors Under $200: 583
Percentage of Donors Under $200:  72%
Percentage of Contributions from New York State: 75%
Percentage of Contributions from NY-24: 66%

Buerkle Campaign Manager David Ray also commented: “The strength of Ann Marie Buerkle’s fundraising lies in her overwhelming support from Upstate New Yorkers. While Dan Maffei is relying on his liberal allies in Washington, D.C. and New York city to fill his campaign coffers, our campaign’s success is built on hard-working contributors in the 24^th Congressional District.”

Independence Party Endorses Rep. Buerkle for Congress in NY-24
3rd Party Backing Provides Crucial Advantage for Buerkle

Syracuse, NY – The Independence Party of New York has announced their endorsement of Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle for Congress in New York’s 24th Congressional District.

Independence Party of New York Vice-Chairman Tom Connolly said: “Congresswoman Buerkle is an independent leader who has always put the residents of Upstate New York first. While in Congress, she has shown her independence by standing up to leaders in both political parties by fighting for fiscal responsibility and accountability in government. The Independence Party is proud to throw their full support behind Ann Marie Buerkle so that she can continue to be an independent voice for Upstate New York.”

Congresswoman Buerkle was proud to accept the endorsement: “Our campaign is a strong coalition of Republicans, Conservatives, Independents, and even Democrats who recognize that Upstate New York deserves leadership that is willing to fight for jobs and fiscal responsibility. The Independence Party supports me because I’m willing to speak truth to power to those in Washington and I am grateful for their unqualified endorsement.”

Ann Marie Buerkle was also endorsed by the Independence Party in 2010, and she earned 6,392 votes on the Independence Party line. Those votes provided the crucial winning difference in one of the closest U.S. House races in the country, with Buerkle prevailing by 648 votes.

Tom Connelly, Vice Chairman of the Independence Party of New York, can be reached at 518-498-4026.

Pictured:  Mayor Ron Woodward,County Treasurer John Kruk, Fulton Republican Chair Jim Myers, Congresswoman Buerkle, Curt Griswold, County Legislator Louella LeClair.

Back row: Jonathan Weldin, Dave Hawthorne, Volney Republican Chair Garry Stanard, Surrogate Court Candidate Hon. Spencer Ludington, Dana Smith, Dave Fontecchio, Doug Chapman.

Chairman Jim Myers stated, “We were very pleased to have Congresswoman Buerkle attend our meeting and present her views on the economy and how she will continue fighting for the values we as Republicans hold dear.  The vote was unanimous.  The committee will work hard to support Congresswoman Buerkle’s campaign.”

Last month the City of Fulton Republican Committee unamiously endorsed Wendy Long for United States Senate.

Contact: Louella LeClair

Our country has made a promise to our seniors who have spent their adult lifetime contributing to Medicare. Our government has an obligation to make good on that promise. I write this to assure seniors that I will honor this commitment to them. I will not vote to change Medicare for those currently receiving it or nearing the age of eligibility. I will remain steadfast in supporting their Medicare benefits from any further cuts.

I say “further” because the biggest threat to Medicare is the Affordable Care Act, also known as the health care law. Seniors should be aware that this legislation will impact their Medicare coverage. The health care law, signed by President Obama in 2010, cuts Medicare by $500 billion.

Included in those cuts is the popular Medicare Advantage program, which faces cuts of $135.6 billion. These cuts will unduly affect New York seniors; in Upstate New York, one-third of seniors have chosen Medicare Advantage plans. In 2017, a new payment formula for Medicare Advantage will be fully phased in, reducing benefits by 27 percent, or about $3,700 per person. With these cuts, Medicare Advantage plans will face significant adjustments, including cuts in service, access, and quality of care. It is believed that these cuts will slash enrollment in half.

Furthermore, the cuts will hit low-income seniors and the disabled with disproportionate cuts. It is expected that 70 percent of these cuts will directly impact beneficiaries earning below $32,400 annually.

One of the reasons I voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act was because of its drastic cuts to Medicare. I strongly oppose the cuts included in the president’s health care law and will fight any future proposed cuts to the program.

While we must protect Medicare for seniors receiving the benefits now, we cannot ignore that the current program is unsustainable for future generations. As this next generation retires, Medicare spending will grow exponentially and will bankrupt the program. Medicare should remain untouched for those 55 years and older, but we must look to strengthen the program so it remains viable for generations to come. Our goal should be to find ways to improve Medicare so that we can preserve it for those 55 years and younger.

Protecting and preserving Medicare is a top priority for me. Our country must uphold the commitment that was made to our seniors who depend on Medicare. Washington must work together, in a bipartisan fashion, to protect Medicare for our seniors as well as preserve the program for generations to come.