Latest Campaign News

Phil Steck Unveils Comprehensive Urban Agenda for Capital Region

Calls for nationwide gun laws, educational opportunities, return of federal funds for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and community policing, single-payer health care, neighborhood and infrastructure improvements

Albany, New York (August 22, 2008) – Phil Steck, Democratic candidate for Congress, was joined today by local elected officials as he unveiled a comprehensive urban agenda for the 21st congressional district. Steck stated that more federal attention is needed in Albany, Schenectady, Troy and Amsterdam, as well as Cohoes, Watervliet, Rensselaer and other smaller urban communities.

“An economic downturn, stagnant wages, and the rising cost of everything from health care to energy to food, has taken its toll on our cities,” said Steck. “For the past eight years, the Bush Administration has dramatically cut off local communities from critical federal funds while waging a war that is expected to cost $2 trillion.”

Open Communication
Steck explained that his first priority would be to open an ongoing dialogue with urban leaders and residents, and he committed to holding public town hall-style meetings throughout the district.
“We need a leader in this important position who will listen to the community, be accessible, and be responsive to neighborhood- level concerns,” added Steck.

A Better Environment for Youth
“Youth in urban areas face greater challenges than ever before and we cannot afford to let children fall hopelessly behind,” said Steck. He pointed out that federal leadership is required in the following areas: 1) Establishing universal pre-Kindergarten programs, 2) Giving schools the resources to remain open after hours so that community programs may be established as an alternative to the distractions and dangers of street life, 3) Making college affordable by giving students relief from student loans in exchange for public service, and, 4) Enacting a uniform nationwide gun law to curtail the supply of illegal guns.

Restore Federal Funds
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has been in existence since 1975, the year the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was founded. CDBG is vital to local communities because local officials have had discretion over how to best utilize the funding so long as it benefits low to moderate income residents and neighborhoods. The Bush administration has consistently cut this funding budget-after-budget which has amounted to a loss of billions of dollars. “If we end the war in Iraq and eliminate tax cuts for the wealthiest of citizens, we can utilize those federal dollars here where the money is most needed,” said Steck.

Steck also said he wants the federal grants restored that in the past have funded community policing efforts and supported local departments’ efforts to have cops walking in the neighborhoods.

Lowering the Cost of Living for Urban Families
Phil Steck supports a single-payer universal health insurance plan, which would assure that no one would be forced into debt as a result of medical bills. Since everyone would be covered, there would be no need for the costly patchwork Medicaid system, which wastes scarce resources on administrative costs. Money that counties would no longer need to spend on Medicaid would be freed up for much needed affordable local housing initiatives.

“Over the past few months, I have talked to a large number of doctors and hospital administrators in the Capital Region and they have consistently expressed their support for a single-payer health care system,” said Steck. “We already have a system similar to single- payer that works very well called Medicare. In the single-payer system, everyone would be covered, and doctors and patients would make health care choices, not insurance and drug companies.”

Affordable Local Housing Initiatives
In Albany County, 90% of the county property tax is currently spent on Medicaid. With single-payer health care, this money could instead be used to make the housing trust fund a reality not merely an under-funded, unfulfilled promise. Funds would also be available to make sure that local housing authorities have the resources they need to create and maintain a safe and clean environment.

“Our local housing authorities are constantly asked to do more with less,” said Steck. “The federal government under this President has made affordable housing a low priority, and the inadequate funding of our local housing authorities is a testament to that.”

Vacant and Abandoned Buildings
We need to expand economic development beyond downtown business districts into residential neighborhoods. Our urban neighborhoods are beset with vacant and abandoned buildings that are a plague on our cities. In Congress, Phil will introduce legislation to make it easier for municipalities to acquire vacant homes and resell them to moderate-income families who will commit to rehabilitating the structures. Among other things, the homesteading family's property taxes would be used to subsidize the rehabilitation until the project was completed.

Focus on Broader Governmental Policy to Rebuild Aged Infrastructure
Every municipality in the 21st Congressional District has difficulty maintaining its streets, water, and sewer systems. Under the Bush administration, similarly situated urban areas have been forced into competition for access to an ever-dwindling supply of federal grants. Instead, we need to have consistent national programs which recognize the widespread nature of urban blight and the need to rebuild our urban infrastructure. “We must stop subsidizing suburban sprawl and put urban redevelopment projects on a fast track, added Steck. “Redevelopment of inner cities and underused brownfields should be a more economical alternative to building on virgin land.”

Democrat Phil Steck called on all campaigns for the 21st congressional district to return all donations to federal and state lobbyists and all Political Action Committees (PACs), following the lead of Presidential candidate Barack Obama.

“Whether it’s Albany or Washington, the system is broken because lobbyists and special interests have a stranglehold on our government,” said Steck. “On the national level, Barack Obama has put the issue of the influence of lobbyists at the forefront. Lobbyists are writing our energy policies. Lobbyists are holding up a national healthcare policy. The same holds true for Albany.”

Steck said that because the Capital Region is the state capitol, people in the 21st congressional district are aware of the tremendous power that lobbyists wield in state government and in regional politics. “We need a representative in Washington who is not beholden to these powerful special interests,” added Steck. “The people should be represented by someone who will put their interests first, and who won’t let lobbyists drown out their voices.”

Steck said that recent news reports in Washington, and in Albany, have highlighted the corrupting influence of lobbyists and interests. “While there certainly are lobbyists who champion progressive causes, we need to revamp the whole system because our government is broken,” said Steck. “Too much money is changing hands behind the scenes in and around government for special favors, increased access, or to kill a piece of legislation.”

Steck’s campaign has raised over $320,000 and he said that his campaign has been funded primarily by individuals (over 95%) and that over 80% of that money is from the Capital Region.

Steck Statement on H CON RES 362
Democratic congressional candidate says blockade of Iran goes too far

Phil Steck, Democratic candidate in New York’s 21st congressional district, said today that he opposes HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 362, which expresses the sense of Congress regarding Iran.

“H CON RES 362 calls for a blockade of Iran, which I am totally opposed to until all diplomatic options are fully exhausted,” said Steck. “The lesson to be learned from the Iraq war, which I opposed from the beginning, is that we should not rush to imprudent actions when it comes to world diplomacy.”

Steck said that Iran’s nuclear program is a real concern and that Iran is a dangerous government, but “a blockade is an act of war, and I do not believe we have reached that point with Iran.”

Steck said that he supports other components of the Resolution, including cracking down on terrorist groups, and sanctioning banks and energy companies that do business with terrorists and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Albany County Clerk Thomas Clingan is the latest elected official to endorse Phil Steck in the race to succeed retiring Congressman Mike McNulty. First elected to the county-wide post in 1988, Clingan is a popular elected official in Albany County, which is expected to represent over 55% of the 7 county vote in the September 9 Democratic Primary.

Steck has been endorsed by a diverse list of elected officials in Albany County, representing urban neighborhoods, the suburbs, and the hilltowns. Steck said that his campaign is a grassroots effort, and the support of local officials is important to help connect with local voters.

“I am very grateful to have the support of Albany County Clerk Tom Clingan, a universally well-respected countywide elected official,” said Steck. “My campaign is rooted in the community and we’re not fueled by powerful special interests, which is why such a diverse mix of officials has stood up to support our campaign.”

Phil Steck, Democratic candidate in the race to succeed retiring Congressman Mike McNulty (NY-21) announced today that he has raised over $320,000, including 872 individual donors. He reported $120,000 raised from 520 individual donors for the 2nd Quarter report to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Over 95% of the money he received is from individuals and over 80% of those donors live and work in the Capital Region.

“I am very pleased to report that our campaign has successfully raised over $320,000 from 872 individual donors; 80% of whom live and work here in the Capital Region,” said Steck. “I am very grateful to people who have contributed to this community-based effort. Our fundraising has exceeded expectations and we are confident that our local approach to the campaign, including our fundraising, puts us in a stronger position to win this September.”

Steck said that while his efforts have focused on raising money from individuals in the Capital Region, his opponents have taken a great deal of money from contributors from other states, and from lobbyists and PACs.

“I am not surrounded by an army of lobbyists, and my campaign is rooted here in the community,” added Steck. “I have a record of fighting against entrenched interests. We need a representative in Washington that won’t be part of the status quo that has failed us by letting lobbyists write our energy legislation and who have stifled progress on enacting a single-payer health care system.”

Steck has also has been endorsed by over 50 local elected officials and progressive activist group Democracy for a Hudson-Mohawk Region.

In 1999, Steck was elected to the Albany County Legislature from a District that had never before elected a Democrat, and at the time he was the only Democrat elected from his town, Colonie. In 2002, Steck became Democratic Chairman in Colonie, the Capital Region’s largest suburban community with 80,000 residents, and he helped elect the first Democratic government in Colonie since the Town was founded in 112 years ago.

“I have the spent the past 20 years working to improve my community and I believe that we need a Congressman with a community based focus in Washington,” said Steck.

"It’s Just Unjust"

To the Editor:

I read, with great interest, David King’s article “A Time to Fight” [Newsfrront, July 3].

As a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in New York’s 21st Congressional District, I wanted to add my voice to the concerns regarding recent action taken in the Congress to revise the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

I do not support retroactive immunity for any industry that violates the law and I do not support secret courts. Judicial power may be abused like any other.

However, the immunity provisions are not the worst aspect of the FISA revisions. There are two major problems with the new law. First, the new FISA revisions extend the time under which the NSA may conduct a wiretap from 72 hours to a week. No need has been demonstrated to increase this time period. Second, the bill gives wholesale approval to bulk monitoring of electronic communications (primarily email and phone calls). This monitoring is based on software algorithms of dubious validity that determine whether or not a person’s behavior patterns suggest that he or she is acting in a way that merits eavesdropping.

This concept, which is really a form of profiling, flies in the face of our longstanding mandates of probable cause and reasonable suspicion that require attention to individual circumstances. As a civil rights attorney, I am aware of no conceivable constitutional basis for this type of surveillance.

The recent revisions to FISA are an example of why I strongly believe that we need members of Congress who will not only challenge a Republican president, but who are also willing to stand up to members of our own party’s leadership when they are wrong.

Phil Steck

Democratic candidate for Congress

New York’s 21st Congressional District

Colonie

Phil Steck, Democratic candidate for Congress in New York’s 21st congressional district said today that he has filed 6,000 signatures at the New York State Board of Elections. Steck said that he filed over 5,000 Democratic Party signatures and over 1,000 Independence Party signatures.

Steck is a progressive Democrat whose grassroots campaign has garnered over 50 local elected officials’ endorsements. Steck was also endorsed by Democracy for a Mohawk-Hudson Region, the local chapter of Democracy for America (DFA), the nation’s largest progressive grassroots advocacy organization founded by Howard Dean. Steck is also the only candidate to have received the backing of the Independence Party, the third line on the New York State ballot.

“These 6,000 signatures represent serious grassroots strength and I am very grateful for all the volunteers who put in nights and weekends to give us this strong showing,” said Steck. “My campaign for Congress is about beating the status quo that has let lobbyists and powerful interests take control of our government.

“The other candidates in this race are part of the system. I have a record of standing up against the establishment, like we did in the Town of Colonie, to bring about real change,” Steck added.

Steck said he has worn down shoe leather in the past few months, knocking on over 3,000 doors personally in the 7 country congressional district. His plan is to continue on his 7 day per week regimen until the September 9 Democratic Primary. “No other candidate in this race will knock on as many doors as me this year,” said Steck.

Congressional Candidate Spends Holiday Weekend Going Door-to-Door
in St. Johnsville and Fort Plain

Phil Steck, Democratic candidate for Congress, is calling for immediate federal and state action to allay the fears of Mohawk River Valley residents of more disastrous flooding.

“It is a disgrace that state and federal officials have done nothing while the people in this region live in fear of the next big flood,” said Steck, who spent the weekend knocking on doors at the homes of over 200 residents in the Villages of St. Johnsville and Fort Plain. “After all we’ve seen in New York and across the country, you would think the politicians in Albany and Washington would have learned.”

In 2006, heavy rains swelled the Mohawk River causing a severe flood that damaged residential homes and commercial properties. While some emergency funds were distributed, many residents feel left out and no action has been taken to prevent future flooding. “People are living in fear every time there is a heavy rainfall,” added Steck.

According to a June 29, 2008, Times Union article, a 13-member commission appointed by the State of New York nearly a year ago has not even met once in that time, Steck said, adding that residents were rightfully frustrated by the lack of action.

“This is a prime example of big government failing to address the concerns of local people,” said Steck. “We’ve had enough of political honchos lunching with lobbyists and partying with the powerful.

“The people of Fort Plain and St. Johnsville need an advocate willing to go to work for them immediately,” Steck added. “I plan to do just that by drawing attention to this issue now. If I’m elected to Congress, I’ll be a voice here in New York and in Washington for the people who live along the Mohawk to make sure they finally get the protection they deserve.”

Albany’s 4th Ward City Councilwoman Barbara Smith, a prominent black feminist, has endorsed Phil Steck in his campaign for Congress. Smith’s written work on racism, gender and class, have appeared in a variety of national publications.

“I am very honored to have the support of Barbara Smith, and I welcome her guidance on important policy issues related to gender and race, and the needs of urban communities,” said Steck. “My campaign for Congress is fueled with grassroots activism. Barbara Smith is a community leader who will make a big impact in this election.”

“Phil is deeply committed to issues that directly affect people in my community,” said Smith. “He will work hard in Congress so that all of those he serves have access to health care, economic opportunity, and quality education."

Steck has been endorsed by a diverse group of elected officials in the city of Albany, representing practically every neighborhood in Albany.

Altamont Mayor Jim Gaughan is endorsing Democrat Phil Steck in his campaign for Congress to succeed retiring Rep. Mike McNulty. Gaughan was elected mayor of the Village of Altamont, a diverse community with suburban and rural issues, on a platform of change.

“I am very honored to have the support of Mayor Gaughan, and I welcome his guidance on important local issues,” said Steck. “My campaign for Congress is fueled with grassroots activism, and the assistance of community-based individuals like Mayor Gaughan will make a big difference this year.”

“Phil Steck is an energetic supporter of change and he is right on target when he talks about health care and energy issues,” said Mayor Gaughan. “I am impressed by his professionalism, work ethic, and his effort to organize grassroots activists.”

Steck has been endorsed by a diverse group of elected officials. To date, over 50 local elected officials from around the 21st congressional district have officially endorsed Steck.

Steck Wants Congress to Close the “Enron Loophole”

Democratic Candidate Says It’s Time to Crackdown on Energy Speculators

Phil Steck announced today that he supports Senator Barack Obama’s plan to close the “Enron Loophole” for energy commodity traders. Steck said that excessive energy speculating is one reason that the price of gas has skyrocketed.

In 2000, Enron Lobbyists successfully exempted energy traders from regulations and public protections applicable to exchange-traded commodities. As a result of this language the lobbyists succeeded in incorporating into law, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is unable to oversee oil futures.

“Because of Enron lobbyists, the CFTC does not presently have the authority to investigate cases where excessive energy speculation may be driving up oil prices,” said Steck. “I fully support Senator Obama’s call to close the Enron Loophole to end this reckless speculating.”

Steck added that some economists believe speculation is responsible for driving up the price of oil an additional $20-$50 per barrel. Steck said that Obama’s Plan calls for U.S. energy futures trading to only take place on regulated exchanges. Approximately 30% of U.S. energy trading flies below the radar as a result of trades on foreign subsidiaries of U.S. exchanges.

Steck also said he supports giving the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice the tools they need to investigate potential illegal market activities in the oil futures market.

Steck had also previously announced his support for a Windfall Profits tax on big oil companies, in an attempt to end gouging at the gas pump.

Democratic congressional candidate Phil Steck announced today that he supports imposing a windfall profit tax on oil companies, which would help to combat the rising cost of gas at the pump. Steck pointed to H.R. 6000, which was recently introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and is supported by over 60 members of the House, as legislation that is taking big oil interests head on.

“Big oil companies are gouging the American public,” said Steck. “For far too long, lobbyists have been stopping progress and stifling real energy reform. We need Congress to act right now to end this oil company profiteering.”

Steck also said that H.R. 6000, known as the “Gas Price Spike Act,” includes tax credits for the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles and provides federal funding to improve mass transit. Steck said that the individual tax credits for energy efficient vehicles would be worth between $3500 and $6000.

The windfall profit tax would be imposed above what is determined to be ‘reasonable profits’ by creating an independent Reasonable Profit Board that would determine what is reasonable. The tax would be imposed as follows:

• 50% to the extent that the profit on sale exceeds 100% reasonable profit
• 75% to the extent that the profit on sale exceeds over 102% reasonable profit
• 100% to the extent that the profit on sale exceeds over 105% reasonable profit

“New York State has the second highest energy costs in the country, and we are being squeezed in our homes and at the pump,” added Steck. “These are tough economic times because wages are stagnant while everything from food to health care to gas is on the rise. We need to take immediate action to combat this crisis.”

Phil Steck announced that he is thrilled to receive the endorsement of the Hudson Mohawk chapter of Democracy for America. Democracy for America is the nation's largest progressive political action community and was founded in 2004 by Governor Howard Dean.

“I am very pleased to have the support of the local chapter of Democracy for America, an organization that is a grassroots powerhouse,” said Steck. “DFHMR is a vocal advocate for reform and grassroots action in the Capital Region and they have taken the lead to inform voters about this important election.”

DFHMR played an active role in organizing for the successful campaign of Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand in 2006. DFHMR requires a 2/3 vote to get their endorsement.

Steck added: “I have been organizing at the community level to bring about real change in my own community in Colonie. Now, more than ever, we need community-based values in Washington.”

This Memorial Day weekend is an opportunity for all of us to enjoy time with our family and our friends and enjoy the simple freedoms that we often may take for granted.

These freedoms have been hard fought and earned over generations of men and women who have served our country in the U.S. Military. I certainly try not to forget what many of our veterans have done so that we can continue to live and prosper. People like my father Ernie, who is a World War II Army veteran.

This weekend I hope that you will take some time to remember our veterans as well as the young men and women who are currently serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the globe as they work to keep us from harm, and wish them all safe and well.

Last night, the Albany County Democratic Committee voted overwhelmingly to endorse Phil Steck in the race for Congress in New York’s 21st congressional district. Albany County is expected to account for over 55% of the Democratic voters in the 7 county congressional district.

A coalition of suburban towns, including Colonie, Bethlehem and Guilderland, diverse wards in the city of Albany, as well as support in rural areas and in the river cities of Watervliet and Cohoes, voted to endorse Steck in the race to succeed Congressman Mike McNulty.

“I am very grateful to have the support of Albany County. While others have described themselves as a frontrunner or tier 1 candidate, this vote clearly shows the grassroots strength or our campaign,” said Steck. “For the past 20 years, I have worked to strengthen our Party. The historic election in the Town of Colonie last year, ending over 100 years of Republican rule, is a result of that work.”

Steck supporters thwarted an attempt by rival campaigns to suppress the will of the Committee.

Steck also finished the 1st Quarter first in fundraising with $205,000. He has also been endorsed by over 50 local elected and party officials.

Phil Steck announced today that he has been endorsed by Troy City Council Members John Brown (At-Large), Pete Ryan (District 3), Ken Zalewski (District 5), and Gary Galuski (District 6) in his bid to succeed Congressman Mike McNulty, who is retiring. Steck has now received endorsements from more than 50 local elected and Democratic Party officials.

“I am not surrounded by an army of lobbyists and my campaign is rooted in the community, and I greatly appreciate the support of the Troy City Councilmembers who are fighting for change at the local level,” said Steck. “We need people in Washington who don’t just talk about change, but who actually have a record of making change. People who are willing to be bold, who have the courage to stand up to get this country back on track.”

In 1999, Steck was elected to the Albany County Legislature from a District that had never before elected a Democrat, and at the time he was the only Democrat elected from his town, Colonie. In 2002, Steck became Democratic Chairman in Colonie and in 2007, he helped elect the first Democratic government since the Town was founded 112 years ago.

“Phil Steck is hard working and not afraid to stand up for his beliefs like our great Congressman Mike McNulty,” said John Brown. “He will listen to his constituents and be an independent voice for the people of Troy.”

“For 7 years, we have been subjected to the failed policies of the Bush Administration, and we need a member of Congress who will not be afraid to speak out against the war in Iraq and for universal healthcare, “said Ken Zalewski.

“Phil Steck has a strong grassroots background and has fought for people his entire career as a lawyer, and in the Albany County Legislature,” said Pete Ryan. “We need these community-based values in Washington.”

“Like Democrats in Rensselaer County, Phil Steck has fought against well funded, entrenched Republicans,” said Gary Galuski. “He led the Colonie Democrats to an incredible victory last year and will stand up for us in Washington.”

Steck Continues to Gain Support from Community Level in Congressional Bid

Phil Steck announced today that he has received another important endorsement in Montgomery County. Town of Amsterdam Supervisor and former Chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors Tom DiMezza said today that he is backing Steck in his bid to succeed Congressman Mike McNulty, who is retiring. DiMezza joins former Amsterdam Mayor John Duchessi and nearly 50 other local elected and Democratic Party officials who have endorsed Steck.

“Phil Steck is someone who will work for our community because he is not beholden to special interests,” said DiMezza. “Phil brought about real change in the Town of Colonie and will bring that same community-based approach to Washington as our Congressman.”

“I am very grateful for Tom DiMezza’s support and I look forward to campaigning with him in Montgomery County,” said Steck. “I am not surrounded by an army of lobbyists and my campaign is rooted in the community. People like Tom DiMezza, will make the difference in this campaign. If we want real change in Washington, we need a representative in DC with a community-based focus who will take on big oil to reduce the cost of gas, and work to create economic opportunities and create jobs.”

Phil Steck will open his campaign headquarters on May 1. He said the Steck for Congress Headquarters is located in the heart of the city of Albany at 205 Central Avenue, which is located between Robin and North Lake.

Steck will hold a 2:00 p.m. press conference on May 1, attended by various elected officials and supporters. At 6:00 p.m. volunteers and campaign workers will host an open house with food and beverages.

“The City of Albany is obviously important to the Capital Region; with the Route 5 corridor touching many communities,” explains Steck. “I am very pleased to open our campaign office on historic Central Avenue and believe the location will bring quite a bit of traffic. Our campaign has the support of diverse group of elected officials in Albany, and they will play a very important role in this campaign because of the large number of voters here in the city.”

Steck said the headquarters will host a variety of social and educational events throughout the campaign, in addition to serving as the campaign’s workshop and base of operations.

Phil Steck announced today that he has been endorsed by several more local elected officials from Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady Counties in his campaign to succeed Congressman Mike McNulty.

Albany County Legislator Don Rahm (city of Albany), Guilderland Town Clerk Rosemary Centi, Delanson Trustee Dianne Grygas, Rensselaer City Treasurer Susan Lupian, former Troy City Council President Beth Walsh, former Niskayuna Town Supervisor Luke Smith, and former Albany County Legislator Tom Cairns (city of Albany) have officially endorsed Steck.

“I have the spent the past 20 years working to improve my community in Colonie and I believe that we need a Congressman with a community based focus in Washington,” said Steck. “The 46 local officials who have endorsed me agree, and I am looking forward to campaigning with them door to door in their neighborhoods over the next few months.”

Democratic congressional candidate Phil Steck issued the following statement on the anniversary of Earth Day, observed on April 22:

“In 1970, the price of oil stood at $3.00, with an OPEC-induced crisis about to begin. That same year, four students at Kent State were killed and nine were wounded while protesting against U.S action in Cambodia. On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated and in December the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began operations.

Today, our nation faces eerily similar moral and economic challenges. We are mired in a war in Iraq that we ought not to have started. The price of oil has skyrocketed to well over $100 per barrel. We are faced with one of the greatest challenges of our generation, global climate change.

We have a serious duty to right the wrongs of unchecked environmental abuse.

My family and I have taken a few small steps, acting locally in our personal life, long before I decided I was a candidate for Congress. My wife Tricia and I drive hybrid vehicles. We have also chosen wind as the source of electricity generation for our home. But, we know these acts are far from enough.

One of the great mistakes is that many focus only on what individuals can do and not what government can do. Many Americans lack the economic means to make the changes my wife and I have made.

We need leadership in Washington willing to fully admit openly and honestly that global warming is a threat. We need a Congress and President committed to developing a real energy policy that reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and greatly enhances the role of renewable energy sources like hydroelectric, wind, and solar. We need to pass stringent standards for emissions to ensure development of cleaner, more efficient cars. The United States needs to play a leadership role in the international community in developing comprehensive climate change treaties.

On the local level, we need a public transportation system that is sensitive to the environment, and includes and encourages non-automobile modes of transportation. We need to support sustainable planning and the development of green buildings that meet and exceed LEED standards. We need more money to clean superfund sites and to encourage redevelopment of brownfields. Finally, we need to closely monitor the Hudson River PCB cleanup, and hold other industrial polluters accountable.”

Phil Steck commented on the new estimate by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that $2 trillion could be spent in Iraq and Afghanistan by 2018. “Our government in Washington DC is out of touch with the needs of America,” said Steck. The CBO study numbers were unveiled today as lawmakers questioned the top military official in Iraq, General David Petreaus.

“At a time when our country is sinking deeper and deeper into recession, America cannot afford to spend $2 trillion in Iraq and other places,” said Steck. “Congress and the White House should refocus their priority to the challenges we face here at home – escalating unemployment, home foreclosures, and the 47 million Americans who lack health insurance and those who are underinsured.”

Steck said that Congress could take the money to be spent in Iraq and finally provide a universal health care system. “DC lawmakers are ready to spend another trillion dollars on a war we should never have started. Their practice of borrowing every cent now will saddle future generations with unacceptable debt,” added Steck.

Steck said that General Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker refused to confirm or deny the non-partisan CBO figures. He added that it is clear that the Bush Administration is playing a shell game with their $70 billion fiscal year 2009 Pentagon request to Congress. “It is clearly far short of what will truly be needed and another example of how this Administration continues to mislead the people,” concluded Steck.

Democratic congressional candidate supports ‘Medicare for All’ System

Phil Steck said that a new survey of doctors shows that the country is moving closer to a national single-payer health program. An Annals of Internal Medicine study released yesterday, conducted by two doctors at Indiana University, says that 59% of doctors support a single-payer universal health program. Last month, Steck joined with local members of Physicians for a National Health Program to express his support for single-payer health care.

“Over the past few months, I have talked to a large number of doctors and hospital administrators in the Capital Region and they have consistently expressed their support for a single-payer health care system,” said Steck. “We already have a system similar to single- payer that works very well called Medicare. In the single-payer system, doctors and patients make choices, not insurance and drug companies.”

Single-payer health care, also called “Medicare for All,” is a system where a public or quasi-public entity manages health financing. The estimated annual savings from eliminating administrative waste caused by private insurers is $350 billion per year. This money is now spent on insurance executive compensation and bonuses, overhead, underwriting, billing, and sales and marketing departments.

“A primary reason why health care is so expensive in this country is because bureaucratic administrative costs account for 31% of all health care costs,” said Steck. “In comparison, Medicare only spends 3 cents on every dollar on administrative costs, the lowest of any public or private provider.”

47 million Americans who are now uninsured would be fully covered under the single-payer system. Single-payer would also eliminate the need for an estimated 1 million people annually to file bankruptcy because of medical bills. According to a 2005 Harvard University study, half of all personal bankruptcies in the U.S. are caused in some part by medical expenses.

Steck, an Albany County Legislator, also noted that 90% of the Albany County Property tax is currently being spent to fund Medicaid, a burden the County taxpayers would no longer bear under single-payer health insurance.

Democratic Congressional Candidate Phil Steck announced today that if he is successful this year in his campaign for Congress that he would hold monthly Town Hall style meetings open to the public throughout the 7 county 21st Congressional District.

“I have worked at the community level for the past 20 years and I would be very accessible to the people of the Capital Region if I am successful in this campaign,” said Steck. “In Colonie, we worked to make Town Hall an open house for the people and I would bring this same community based focus to Washington as Congressman.”

In 1999, Steck was elected to the Albany County Legislature from a District that had never before elected a Democrat, and at the time he was the only Democrat elected from his town, Colonie, a town of over 80,000 people. In 2002, Steck became Democratic Chairman in Colonie and in 2007, he helped elect the first Democratic government in Colonie since the Town was founded 112 years ago. Steck is one of the few Albany County Legislators that publishes a newsletter to keep his constituents informed, and he’s been doing it at his own expense since he was first elected in 1999.

Steck already has support and endorsements from over 40 local officials throughout the District. “My campaign is supported by people in the community and I am not surrounded by an army of lobbyists and special interests,” Steck added.

Steck said that change in Washington can only occur if the people of the Capital Region have a leader who will listen directly to their concerns and work for their interests. In addition to his commitment to putting the people ahead of special interests and lobbyists, Steck has spoken out for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, establishing a single-payer system of health care to assure the quality affordable health care Americans deserve, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and making college more affordable.

Democratic Congressional candidate Phil Steck announced today that he has been endorsed by more than 40 local elected officials and Democratic Party leaders in his bid to succeed Congressman Mike McNulty (NY-21).

Steck is Chairman of the Colonie Democratic Committee, the district’s largest suburban Town with a population of 80,000. New York State Assemblyman Bob Reilly and former New York State Senator Howard Nolan are backing his bid, and he has a number of endorsements in the city of Albany (4 Council Members and 6 County Legislators), as well as from Colonie Town Supervisor Paula Mahan, Bethlehem Town Supervisor Jack Cunningham, Watervliet Mayor Mike Manning, Rensselaer Mayor Dan Dwyer, Menands Mayor Tom Coates, New Scotland Supervisor Tom Dolan, Bethlehem Democratic Chairman Matt Clyne, New Scotland Democratic Chair Mike Mackey, Coeymans Democratic Chair Chris Pennock, Cohoes County Legislator Shawn Morse, and former Amsterdam Mayor John Duchessi, among others.

“I have the spent the past 20 years working to improve my community and I believe that we need a Congressman with a community based focus in Washington,” said Steck. “The 40 local officials who have endorsed me agree, and I am grateful to have this important local support this early in the campaign.”

In 1999, Steck was elected to the Albany County Legislature from a District that had never before elected a Democrat, and at the time he was the only Democrat elected from his town, Colonie. In 2002, Steck became Democratic Chairman in Colonie and he helped elect the first Democratic government in Colonie since the Town was founded in 112 years ago.

“In Colonie we defeated one of the strongest, most well-funded, most entrenched Republican organizations in the State,” added Steck. “That was the spark that ignited my grassroots campaign for Congress this year.”

“Five years ago, this nation was misled into war on Iraq. However, the Bush Administration’s statements on the war did not ring true to me, and its unilateralist approach to foreign policy was fundamentally flawed. Therefore, I was on record opposing the intervention in Iraq from the beginning and spoke out about this issue then as a member of the Albany County Legislature.

The Bush Administration’s belief in changing the politics of a Third World country by force has been exposed as false and boastful. On May 2, 2003, President Bush landed aboard the USS Lincoln on a Navy S-3B Viking, proclaiming “Mission Accomplished.” Today, it is crystal clear to a majority of Americans that we should not be in Iraq anymore. Our troops have been placed in the impossible position of occupying another country and refereeing between various factions involved in civil unrest.

To date, nearly 4,000 U.S. service men and women have been killed, and millions of Iraqis have been killed, are living as refugees in other countries, or have been displaced within Iraq. My heart goes out to both my fellow Americans and the Iraqis who have suffered and are suffering as a result of this war.

Close to $500 billion has been spent in Iraq and related conflicts. This has compromised the ability of our government to be effective on the home front.

Now, as the nation spirals deeper into recession, the Bush Administration is asking Congress for at least another $102 billion. I believe Congress should fund withdrawal from Iraq not continuation of this fruitless war without evidence that there is any light at the end of the tunnel. We must have the courage to end this unjustified war and let the Iraqi people be free to govern themselves and decide their own future.

We need a Congress that will stand up for what’s right: ending this war and bringing the international criminal Osama bin Laden, and his organization, to justice.”

“Medicare for All” is a system where doctors and patients make decisions

Albany, NY – Phil Steck, Democratic congressional candidate for New York’s 21st Congressional District joined with local doctors, who are members of Physicians for a National Health Program, to announce his support for single-payer health care.

“We have a system just like this in the United States that has worked very well; it’s called Medicare,” added Steck. “Escalating health care costs are crippling to small businesses, American companies competing globally, and employees who are forced to bear an ever increasing percentage of the cost of health insurance.”

Single-payer health care, also called “Medicare for All,” is a system where a public or quasi-public entity organizes health financing. The estimated annual savings from eliminating administrative wastes caused by private insurers is estimated at $350 billion per year. This money is now spent on insurance executive compensation and bonuses, overhead, underwriting, billing, and sales and marketing departments.

Dr. Paul Sorum, a practicing physician and a professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at Albany Medical College said, “All Americans should have access to high quality, affordable health care, and the only effective way of doing this is through single-payer. As a treating physician for adults and children I know how important it is to have access to medical care and treatments.”

Under the single-payer system, even the 46 million Americans who are uninsured would now be fully covered. And, single-payer would eliminate the need for an estimated 1 million people who annually file bankruptcy because of medical bills. Steck, an Albany County Legislator, also noted that 90% of the county property tax is currently being spent to fund Medicaid, a burden the County taxpayers would no longer bear under single payer health insurance.

“A primary reason why health care is so expensive in this country is because the current private insurance bureaucracy accounts for 31% of all health care costs,” said Steck. “Doctors and patients should be empowered to make health care decisions instead of being constrained by insurance company rules and regulations.”

Albany, NY – Phil Steck, Democratic congressional candidate for New York’s 21st Congressional District announced today that he is very pleased with the grassroots support he has received from elected officials and community leaders in the City of Albany.

Steck has been endorsed by 40 local elected officials from throughout the 21st Congressional District, including by Albany City Council Members Dominick Calsolaro (1st Ward), Majority Leader Carolyn McLaughlin (2nd Ward), Jon Rosenzweig (8th Ward), Jim Sano (9th Ward), as well as Albany County Legislators Lucille McKnight (District 2), Wanda Willingham (District 3), Norma Chapman (District 5), Doug Bullock (District 8), Dan McCoy (District 10), and William Clay (District 13).

In Albany County, which represents over 55% of the electorate, Steck has dozens of key endorsements in Albany, Colonie, Cohoes, Bethlehem, Watervliet, Guilderland, Menands, New Scotland and Coeymans.

“I am very grateful to have the support of a diverse group of legislators representing the city of Albany,” said Steck. “I have always been a community-based person and I would bring that same approach to Washington as Congressman.”

In 1999, Steck was elected to the Albany County Legislature from a District that had never before elected a Democrat, and at the time he was the only Democrat elected from his town, Colonie, a town of over 80,000 people. As Democratic Chairman in Colonie, Steck played a key role in helping elect the first Democratic government since the Town was founded 112 years ago.

If you missed Phil Steck's interview on WCSS AM1490 in the `Heart of Amsterdam', you can listen online right here (20 minutes / 9 mb - right click the link, choose 'save as').

Albany, NY – Phil Steck, Democratic congressional candidate for New York’s 21st Congressional District announced today that he has been endorsed by County Legislator Shawn Morse, a key political figure in the city of Cohoes. In addition to being a member of the Albany County Legislature, Morse has been a Professional Firefighter for 17 years and was awarded a medal for bravery for saving a woman’s life.

Steck now has nearly 40 local endorsements from throughout the 7 county district. In Albany County, which represents over 55% of the electorate, Steck has dozens of key endorsements in Albany, Colonie, Cohoes, Bethlehem, Watervliet, Guilderland, Menands, New Scotland and Coeymans.

“I am very grateful to have the support of Shawn Morse, a hard working legislator and a well respected professional firefighter,” said Steck. “Shawn is a man of the people who is well known for his willingness to stand up for the things he believes in and he’ll play an instrumental role in my campaign for Congress.”

“I have worked with Phil Steck for the past four years and he is someone who always displays the courage of his convictions,” said Morse. “The people want a new direction in this country and Phil Steck would be a real advocate for the people of Cohoes and the Capital Region in Washington, D.C.”

In 1999, Steck was elected to the Albany County Legislature from a District that had never before elected a Democrat, and at the time he was the only Democrat elected from his town, Colonie, a town of over 80,000 people. As Democratic Chairman in Colonie, Steck played a key role in helping elect the first Democratic government since the Town was founded 112 years ago.

Steck had previously announced the endorsements of New York State Assemblyman Bob Reilly, former State Senator Howard Nolan, Colonie Supervisor Paul Mahan, Bethlehem Supervisor Jack Cunningham, Watervliet Mayor Mike Manning, Rensselaer Mayor Dan Dwyer, Albany City Councilwoman Carolyn McLaughlin, and Albany County Legislators Dan McCoy, Wanda Willingham and Luci McKnight among many others.

Steck said that he decided to run for Congress because he believes we need a real change of direction in Washington. That change can only occur if the people of the Capital Region have a leader who will listen to their concerns and work for their interests. Steck has spoken out for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, establishing a single-payer system of health care to assure the quality affordable health care Americans deserve, and protecting Social Security and Medicare.

Albany, NY – Phil Steck announced today that he has been endorsed by 7 more local elected officials from Albany, Rensselaer and Montgomery Counties in his campaign to succeed Congressman Mike McNulty. Albany County Legislators William Clay (city of Albany), Norma Chapman (city of Albany) joined Rensselaer elected officials County Legislator Kevin Harrington (North Greenbush), Rensselaer Mayor Dan Dwyer, City Clerk Maureen Nardacci, City Councilman Dominick Tagliento, and former Amsterdam Mayor John Duchessi in officially endorsing Steck.

“I have the spent the past 20 years working to improve my community in Colonie and I believe that we need a Congressman with a community based focus in Washington,” said Steck. “The nearly 40 local officials who have endorsed me agree, and I am grateful to have their support this early in the campaign.”

In 1999, Steck was elected to the Albany County Legislature from a District that had never before elected a Democrat, and at the time he was the only Democrat elected from his town, Colonie, a town of over 80,000 people. In 2002, Steck became Democratic Chairman in Colonie and in 2007, he helped elect the first Democratic government in Colonie since the Town was founded in 112 years ago.

“Last year in Colonie we defeated one of the strongest, most well-funded, most entrenched Republican organizations in the State,” added Steck. “That was the spark that ignited my grassroots campaign for Congress this year.”

Steck had previously announced the endorsement of nearly 30 elected and party officials in Albany County, including New York State Assemblyman Bob Reilly, Bethlehem Supervisor Jack Cunningham, Watervliet Mayor Mike Manning, Colonie Supervisor Paul Mahan, Albany City Councilwoman Carolyn McLaughlin, and Albany County Legislators Wanda Willingham and Luci McKnight among others.

Steck said that he decided to run for Congress because he believes we need a real change of direction in Washington. That change can only occur if the people of the Capital Region have a leader who will listen to their concerns and work for their interests. Steck has spoken out for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, establishing a single-payer system of health care to assure the quality affordable health care Americans deserve, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and making college more affordable.

The Times Union, WTEN-10, WNYT-13, Capital News 9, and the New York Daily News all reported this week that the Tracey Brooks campaign has admitted to buying a variety of domain names including philsteck.org, philsteckforcongress.com, philsteckforcongress.org. This is called cyber squatting and the U.S. Congress passed legislation outlawing this activity against private citizens and businesses for commercial gain.

In an election as important as this each campaign should be allowed to communicate messages directly to voters without interference from these types of dirty tricks. Candidates for Congress should hold themselves to a high standard and abide by the spirit of the law.

“Albany County Legislature Expected to Consider Reso at February 11 Meeting”

Albany, NY (February 10, 2008) – Albany County Legislator Phil Steck, who announced his candidacy for Congress in New York’s 21st CD, announced today that he is pushing hard for support of the Resolution he co-sponsored with Legislator Doug Bullock that calls states that the Albany County Legislature is officially opposed to the Iraq War.

Steck said that he fully supports the effort to bring attention to the Bush Administration’s failure in Iraq. “It is important for local elected bodies, like the Legislature, to officially act and state our complete opposition to the Iraq War,” said Steck, a Democrat who represents a portion of the Town of Colonie. “We need to immediately withdraw troops from Iraq.”

Steck said that the resolution would send a powerful message that local elective bodies have a clear and strong opposition to the Bush Administration’s policies in Iraq.

When: Monday, February 11, 2008, 6:00pm
Where: Albany County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Eagle Street

Albany, NY – Phil Steck, candidate for New York’s 21st Congressional District, announced today that he has received early endorsements from 29 local elected officials and Democratic Party officials in Albany County. Steck said that he has also had conversations with dozens of local officials throughout the Congressional District and expects to pick up more local support in the coming weeks.

“I am very pleased to have many local elected officials and Democratic Party activists supporting my campaign,” said Steck. “These are people who know me and my work in Albany County, and I am pleased to have their support so early. I look forward to meeting many other local leaders in the coming weeks and growing our grassroots effort throughout the 21st Congressional District.”

Steck is a civil rights and labor attorney who has been on the side of working families throughout his career. He serves as an Albany County Legislator and was the architect of the Town of Colonie’s historic local elections last year as Chairman, ending 100 years of Republican rule. The Albany County endorsements include:

Steck said that he has clear positions on issues that will resonate with local voters. He believes that there should be an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and will fight against the Bush Administration’s failed policies there. He will also continue to fight for working families -- for a single-payer universal health care system to make quality care affordable; for making college more affordable for our young people; for preserving Social Security and for protecting Medicare. And, he will work to bring more jobs and more federal dollars to the Capital Region to stimulate our regional economy.