Update at end of post.Someone is targeting Joe Morelle with robo-calls, and they may be coming from people in his own party.
The first one targets his record on taxes:
“Joe Morelle raised our taxes and increased fees 37 times. That’s over $11 billion out of taxpayers’ pockets. Now he wants us to believe he’s fighting for lower taxes in Albany? Gimme a break. Joe Morelle can’t help solve the problem. He’s part of the problem. If you’ve had enough, call 467-0410 and tell Joe Morelle we can’t afford his tax increases.”
In response to the robo-call, Morelle said on his Facebook page, “The fact is I voted against last year’s State budget specifically because it raised taxes and spent too much. And again this year, I am in Albany fighting hard to ensure there are no tax increases in the budget and instead it provides a plan for the Upstate economy to recover and thrive.”
Here’s the second call:
“Joe Morelle has proposed legislation that would force people to submit their DNA to police when they’re arrested. That’s right not when they’re convicted, when they’re arrested. Joe Morelle has abandoned our progressive values and believes we’re guilty until proven innocent. If Joe Morelle doesn’t believe in our human rights, why should we believe in him? Call Joe Morelle at 467-0410 and tell him that you value your civil liberties even if he doesn’t.”
The DNA legislation is detailed
here.
The “progressive values” phrase in the call is the first clue that the GOP is probably not behind this effort. I suppose it could be a Republican smokescreen, but more than a few Dems suspect the attack is coming from anti-mayoral control groups or someone who wants to primary Morelle.
Update:Morelle's staff member gave me this statement from the assemblyman. Sorry for the delay in getting it posted.
“Recently I've taken stands on school governance reform and public safety that have angered certain special interests. My only interest, as always, is to fight for the issues that matter most to the people I represent. I intend to continue doing just that whenever I can improve education for our children or enhance our criminal justice system to protect our families from violent offenders.
“For the past two weeks someone has bombarded my constituents with anonymous automated phone calls lying about my record. It is unfortunate they are being inconvenienced and I encourage them to file formal complaints if they feel they are being harassed.
“Regardless of any difference in opinion, it is important to always have an open, honest and civil exchange of ideas. I stand by my record on these important public policy issues and am confident the public can see the truth through these despicable campaign tactics.”
