Senator Johnson: 'The bottom line is, I am pro-taxpayer.'
HEADLINE: Some Democrats find the union label unfashionable
By DAN JANISON dan.janison@newsday.com
In a year of deep deficits and tea party talk, the union label seems unfashionable for major-party politicians facing competitive races for state office.
Take the case of state Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington). Lately he and several colleagues drew fire and even threats of primaries from the state AFL-CIO and from the New York State United Teachers for backing charter-school expansions and other positions.
This prompts Johnson to say as he did Wednesday: "The bottom line is, I am pro-taxpayer. What's becoming clear is, if something that's good for special interests is bad for my constituents, I'm going to stand with taxpayers in my district."
He wasn't shy about underscoring other positions deemed irritants to union lobbyists: his support for a property-tax cap and praise for unionized teachers in Roslyn and Port Washington agreeing to a pay freeze. "I'm not worried," Johnson said. "I'm doing what I think is right."
Read the rest here: http://www.newsday.com/columnists/other-columnists/some-democrats-find-t...
Powered by