Did you see yesterday’s editorial in the D&C about the State Senate possible going Democrat?  Who said these guys (Jim Lawrence and Tom Tobin) were hopelessly out of touch with reality?  Oh, wait we have — many times.

Take a look at what they printed:

And people such as Democratic Assemblymen David Gantt and Joe Morelle must take the lead. Both know well how Albany works, and yes, doesn’t work. With their demonstrated ability to work across the aisle, they must help build a cohesive team that will not be left on the outside looking in as major and necessary funding cutback decisions are made in Albany.

These are the two guys who have voted for over 40 sales tax increases across New York Stateover the past few years, yet the blocked Monroe County’s request because they wanted to force Maggie Brooks to raise property taxes.

And don’t forget they sat on their hands while kids in Monroe County (and other counties led by Republican County Executives) had their day care funding cut based on a formula that no one can explain.

And let’s not forget David Gantt’s passion to help poor people.  He cares so much that he got arrested and referenced a meeting in  Missouri where elected officials were killed. Here’s the video for that:

And don’t forget the famous line our elder-statesman gave to a reporter asking why he would introduce a bill he doesn’t support, “that’s for me to know and you to find out.” 

And don’t forget about the Gantt Tax. Here is the article quoting a former school board official talking about how Dave shook down the City School District (there the ones educating all the poor kids Gantt cares so much about) making them hire his favorite lobbyist who didn’t really do much for them.

I don’t think we mentioned how the New York Times called for his removal as Transportation Committee Chair because he blocked bills based on who his favorite lobbyist’s clients were.

And finally (we don’t want to beat a dead horse) he worked tirelessly to defeat Republican Senator Joe Robach because he delivered more in state aid to Gantt’s district in 6 years than Gantt has in the last 20.

Jim Lawrence really misses the point.  Their editorial should have said that it is time for the members of the Democratic Assembly delegation to stand up to Mr. Shelly (Speaker Silver) and tell them he needs to stop treating Monroe County like a sceond class community.  Even Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy hit it right on the head:

One thing is certain. The one-party rule in Albany will make shifting the blame for inaction, a common Albany past-time, much more difficult.

“It certainly clarifies accountability,” Duffy said. “The finger is going to be pointed at one party and one party only, the Democrats.”

Gantt and Joe Morelle got what they wanted — a Democratic majority in the Senate — now it’s up to them to deliver!