Oneida lawmaker Hennessy seeking Griffo's seat

LOWVILLE — A Democratic Oneida County legislator on Tuesday touted his political aggressiveness and history of pressing for fiscal restraint and accountability in announcing his candidacy for the 47th state Senate District seat.

"I'm known to be a fighter," Michael J. Hennessy, Sherill, said Tuesday at the Veterans Memorial Park in Lowville.

Mr. Hennessy, who works for an investment firm and has served as an Oneida County legislator since 2006, said state government is dysfunctional and called for tough decisions to be made financially and ethically.

"We've got to regain the public trust and respect," he said.

As part of his 10-point campaign platform, Mr. Hennessy called for a 6 percent reduction on salaries for all state elected officials, 10-year term limits for state legislators and a mandate for on-time budgets.

He also touted passage of an ethics bill that would provide full disclosure of income earned by elected officials, require them to respond to all Freedom of Information requests and establish a Web site listing all their lobbying contacts in Albany and their home districts.

"When conflicts exist, people need to leave office," Mr. Hennessy said. "When behavior is criminal, the full extent of the law should be applied. I will not only support ethical reform efforts, I will lead in efforts to return government service to respectability."

He also offered support for a proposed "rooftop highway" between Interstate 81 in Watertown and Interstate 87 in Plattsburgh.

"It will encourage commerce in the northern part of the state," Mr. Hennessy said.

He also vowed to keep pressing for enforcement of sales tax collection on products sold by Native American tribes to non-Indians, as he has done at the county level.

Other parts of Mr. Hennessy's platform include:

■ Developing a partnership with the private sector and local governments to complete an Adirondack Railroad between Utica and Lake Placid.

■ Providing a strong voice for family farms.

■ Ensuring that fees paid for "outdoorsmen activities" are spent in the areas used by the people who pay them.

■ Putting an end to charging retailers for collecting sales tax.

■ Supporting a nanotechnology project at SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica.

The 47th Senate District includes all of Lewis County and half of St. Lawrence County, including Potsdam and Massena, along with a large portion of Oneida County.

State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, has announced plans to run for a third term, citing the desire to keep pushing for government reform. He won a four-way race for the seat in 2006, then garnered 89 percent of the vote against an unheralded Working Families Party candidate two years ago.

Mr. Hennessy said that Mr. Griffo is a very likable person and that he has no ill will toward him.

"It's about who is going to be the most effective state senator," Mr. Hennessy said. "I look forward to bringing my private-sector experience to government."

He called on Mr. Griffo to hold debates throughout the district.

When asked about his views on same-sex marriage, Mr. Hennessy said he tends to think the definition of marriage refers to a heterosexual couple but that he hasn't formulated an opinion yet. "I need to hear both sides of the issue," he said.

Mr. Hennessy said he already has traveled throughout the district and plans to be more visible in the northern portion during the campaign. He noted that his sister lives in Potsdam and that he recently attended some pancake breakfasts in Lewis County.

Mr. Hennessy and his wife, Anne, are both graduates of Niagara University. They have two children, Carol, 19, and Joseph, 10.