With absolute control of the State Senate in Republican hands, New York's State legislature has become one of the nation's most dysfunctional, focused on promoting personal political interests and currying favor with powerful special interests at the expense of working New Yorkers.

With the support of these very same voters, however, Senate Democrats launched a popular campaign to win back the State Senate, and build a better New York for its working families. Four years ago we announced our three cycle strategy: take two seats in 2004, two in 2006, and three in 2008. Against the predictions of political pundits, but with the will of the people, we did even better: scoring ground breaking victories in the last three years to win five senate seats. Ahead of our own schedule, Senate Democrats are now on the edge of taking back the State Senate for the first time in four decades!

Only two seats now separate Democrats from the Majority in the State Senate. With Senate Republicans reeling from recent defeats, the message has been clear for a while now: the voters are with Senate Democrats because State Democrats represent their values. Senator Darrel Aubertine's upset victory in Northern and Central New York earlier this year has only added to our momentum as we head into the 2008 election year.

With the Majority in the State Senate, Democrats would focus New York's agenda on the priorities that families care about most, like affordable housing, healthcare, good paying jobs, sound educational opportunities for our children, lower property taxes, and open and honest state government. We have a special name for our platform: The 9 to 5 Agenda, Helping Families Live, Grow, Work, and Thrive in the Empire State. As Election Day approaches, I hope you can join our cause to win the Majority and help New York become a better place.

Malcolm A. Smith
New York State Senate Democratic Leader