Assemblyman Stephen Katz addresses Ulster Orange Tea Party, September 2011

(Editor’s note: I’m sorry Greg, but you brought this upon yourself.)

By: Raquel Okyay

It’s going to be a “blood bath” insiders say in the 2012 Republican primary race Katz vs. Ball for New York State Senate.  First term incumbent, Senator Greg Ball is being challenged by State Assemblyman Stephen Katz for the seat representing District 40.

Since Katz made his announcement on March 19, prior Ball supporters (including me) are dropping their support faster than pennies thrown off the top of the Empire State Building to join the Katz campaign; and the Ball campaign are not pleased.

The Ball campaign is in attack mode, using every dirty trick at their disposal to smear Dr. Katz. Husband and father of four, Stephen Katz was born and raised in Jericho, New York.  He is a Veterinarian by trade and a popular State Assemblyman for the residents in Assembly District 99.

It was Stephen Katz who, in his first term, brokered a deal to rejuvenate the Jefferson Valley Mall, and reigned in $30 million in private investment funds to the community.  Thirty Million Dollars amounts to  a l o t  of jobs, thank you Mr. Assemblyman, and job well done.

But supporting Stephen Katz for State Senate is not just about Steve’s commitment to the well being of New York, his passion for smart reform, or his easy going manner with friends and constituents, that makes him so appealing, it is the fact that Senator Greg Ball, once the tea party hero in the region, is doing a horrible job representing the more conservative faction of the Republican Party for the residents in District 40; and all of us residing in New York State.

It was in August 2010, when then Assemblyman Greg Ball was endorsed here at Raquel’s Picks for State Senate being referred to as a “Mover & Shaker” “Republican Extraordinaire” in state politics.  That was then – this is now. Ball has been such a disappointment thus far, learning that Assemblyman Katz would challenge Ball in a GOP primary, had me – and many others – jumping for joy!

Senator Ball has failed us, here is why:

a.   Supportive of job killing Wicks Law that requires private construction companies to provide separate contracts for separate utilities has slowed the process for providing work down to a crawl.  Unions like this law and have compensated Ball for his support by making large donations to his reelection campaign.

b.   Introduced legislation to increase the salaries to State Legislators to a full time position from a part time one. This would cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.  What is Greg thinking?

c.    Rumor is last year, before Gay Marriage became law; Ball was soliciting the gay agenda community for his vote in exchange for hard, cold cash, upward in the amount of One Million Dollars.  Apparently his offer proved to be too high, and the gay agenda recruited someone else at a lower price, namely; Republican State Senator Steve Saland, District 41, who would vote for the measure, while Ball voted against it.

d.    Greg Ball has a reputation for not returning messages.  Not from political party leaders, friends, supporters, media, conservative groups, and likely others.  This behavior is plain-old rude, and part of the reason why his like-ability is running on empty.

Actions or inaction have ramifications, and this race is a prime example.  Senator Ball has lost sight of the reasons why the voters elected him to public office, and Ball’s actions or inaction show what people have been saying for a while; Greg Ball is concerned with Greg Ball.

Assemblyman Stephen Katz has stepped up to the plate, not for his own sake, but for the sake of New York.  Dr. Katz understands that New York, particularly now in difficult economic times, needs a representative who truly adheres to Tea Party goals of less government, low taxes, and a constitutionally principled itinerary.

“Greg Ball is a career politician.  He hasn’t had a job in private industry, and he doesn’t know how to create jobs. Working in private industry, I have the experience to expand economic growth, rather than create hurdles. Elect me to the State Senate and I will get to work creating a business friendly environment.  I have an investment in my community; my wife, my daughters, and my friends, to persuade my colleagues in government to produce legislation that is effective in lowering taxes, reducing government repetition and corruption, and reflect the conservative principles we support.”  Assemblyman Stephen Katz

Garnishing the title of “Legislator of the Year 2011” from Westchester – Putnum Right to Life, is just one more good reason to support Stephen Katz for State Senate. Stephen Katz introduced a Bill to remove tax payer funding of Planned Parenthood, again, job well done, and thank you Mr. Assemblyman for being aggressive on this issue.

No regret, no doubt, no confusion, Stephen Katz is the best candidate for State Senate; and I respectfully urge you to jump to his campaign too.  (Good luck, Steve!)

[Disclaimer: These are the opinions of Raquel Okyay alone, and not in connection with any affiliated groups.   For the record, Senator Greg Ball has always returned calls to New York State Right to Life; and has been a consistent champion for children. So has Assemblyman Katz. NYSRTL are grateful for both men.  NYSRTL makes it a rule to endorse favorable, pro-life incumbents, in an election challenge, and are squarely backing Senator Greg Ball for re-election. ]