Capital Region Scene

Business coalition likes Republican state lawmakers

Local Republican state legislators continue to receive high marks from business groups.

Unshackle Upstate, a coalition of state business interests, released its 2012 legislative scorecards this morning and Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, Assemblyman Tony Jordan, R-Jackson, and Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, R-Melrose, were tied for the highest local scores, with a 93. Closely behind was colleague James Tedisco, R-Glenville, with an 88.

Unshackle Upstate Executive Director Brian Sampson said that these grades should serve as informative tool for taxpayers during election season. He noted that grades for legislators have genearlly improved since 2010, but stressed that more work needs to be done.

“These scorecards provide a clear picture of which Senators and Assembly members are working to promote job growth and strengthen our economy,” Sampson said in a statement. “Our hope is that hard-working taxpayers and employers will see the grades of Assemblyman Amedore, Assemblyman Tedisco, Assemblyman McLaughlin and Assemblyman Jordan and start a discussion with their network of friends, family and colleagues.”

The grades have a maximum score of 100, with points accumulated or lost based on bills a legislator sponsored or voted.

Assemblyman Peter Lopez, R-Schoharie, got a 75, Assemblyman Marc Butler, R-Newport, got a 62 and Assemblyman Bob Reilly, D-Colonie, got a 45.

State Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, was tied for the best score in the Senate, with a grade of 94. Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, and Sen.Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, were at the low end of the Senate Republican pack, with the two tied at 83.

These good grades come shortly after the Business Council of New York announced its grades, which also showed Republicans performing well.

Unshackle Upstate has not made legislative endorsements yet.

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Unshackle Assembly Scores

Unshackle Senate Scores

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