Assemblywoman Addie Russell, D-Theresa, strongly criticized her opponent for standing with a big-money super PAC trying to pass a tax break for the ultra-wealthy at the expense of public schools.
John Byrne issued a statement to the Watertown Daily Times this week backing the tax cut and acknowledged that the special interest group’s efforts are designed to help “other communities across the state,” not the North Country.
“This group isn’t interested in helping the North Country or doing what’s best for our kids,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “They just want the rich to get richer. My opponent initially insisted he had no knowledge they were behind the dishonest ads about me, but now he’s standing behind them and their greedy tax scheme. In fact, he admitted that their tax plan would have no benefit for North Country schools.”
The group, New Yorkers for Independent Action (NYIA), has been spreading misinformation in order to sway voters and curry favor for a tax break for the wealthy.
The tax break would divert money from public schools to give a tax break to donors who can afford to give massive donations to private schools as a tax write-off. Contributors to the PAC reside primarily out-of-state, and those in New York live in the wealthiest parts of Manhattan.
The PAC has spent over $100,000 on negative television ads slamming Assemblywoman Russell for opposing the tax credit. NYIA has attacked representatives who’ve stood up for working families in a bid to fight against measures like a livable wage and paid family leave and get more breaks for multimillionaires.
“These millionaires and billionaires think their money can buy whatever they want – whether it’s a private jet or an election. I answer to the people of the North Country, not the highest bidder, and we’re not for sale,” Assemblywoman Russell said.
The majority of NYIA’s funding comes from five wealthy out-of-state and New York City donors:
• Thomas McInerney, an investment banker who runs the private equity firm Bluff Point Associates, based in Westport, Conn. He has contributed $800,000 to NYIA;
• Anthony J. de Nicola, co-president of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, a $3 billion private investment firm, and his wife, Christie, both of whom live in New Jersey. They have contributed nearly $600,000 to NYIA;
• Russell Carson, a founder of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, based in New York City. He contributed $500,000; and
• Alice Walton, daughter of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton and heiress to over $33.7 billion, who lives in Arkansas. She has contributed $450,000 to NYIA.
“These Wall Street millionaires and billionaires want a representative who will look out for those at the top, not working families,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “John Byrne has made it clear he’ll do their bidding. North Country families deserve better.”
