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G.O.P. Congressional hopeful, Manhattanite Bob Straniere, has some explaining to do. The former assemblyman has a long history of skipping out on some of his most important legislative duties. He's missed everything from transportation hearings and budget negotiations, to the remainder of his final term in office.
"We already sent Bob Straniere directions to Staten Island, but it looks like he could've used some to get to Albany," said Carly Lindauer, New York State Democratic Committee spokeswoman. "Voters in the 13th District want more than just talk - they want a leader who's actually going to show up for work."
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS BOB STRANIERE?
STRANIERE FAILED TO ATTEND VITAL TRANSPORTATION HEARINGS
FACT: Straniere did not attend a hearing of his own committee that could have stopped fare hikes on the Staten Island Ferry (SI Advance, 4/30/1992).
He later missed two more meetings, of five total, since "other things were going on" (SI Advance, 5/29/1992).
STRANIERE MISSED BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS TO TAKE JUNKETS AROUND THE WORLD
FACT: Straniere left the Assembly year after year to fly around the world and attend conferences, rather than stay in Albany and negotiate a final budget. In 1994, he claimed that he was "not part of the problem," even though the budget was late again and he was the Ranking Member of Committee that had jurisdiction over it (SI Advance, 4/14/1994).
In 1996, he left to fly to Brussels for a foreign trade conference instead of working on the budget and, when confronted about it, said "I'm not apologizing for anything." In fact, he believed that the budget was irrelevant, although it is the Assembly's most important annual legislation, saying about one trip "if there are serious legislative matters to be taken up, I will come back" (SI Advance, 7/5/1996).
In 1999 Bob missed over 10% of all days the Assembly was in session - including three days to take a trip to Switzerland. Yet he claimed that he was "not part of the problem" (SI Advance, 7/21/1999).
AFTER LOSING HIS ASSEMBLY SEAT IN 2004, STRANIERE REFUSED TO RETURN TO ALBANY TO FINISH HIS TERM
FACT: Instead, Straniere took trips across the United States - to California, Alaska, and then to Washington, D.C. These occurred during vital budget override votes and the only explanation he provided was "by not being there, I'm supporting the governor" (SI Advance, 9/21/2004).
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