County clerks have fought the state for a share of motor vehicle fees for decades, but they say the system is so rigged that they can’t compete.

A new bill by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, may level the playing field.

Mrs. Russell has proposed that each county keep 12.7 percent of all fees paid by its residents for any motor vehicle related service conducted through the state processing center or Web site after April 1, 2011.

Under the current arrangement, counties only keep that share if the transaction is handled by a local Department of Motor Vehicle office. The state keeps the remaining 87.3 percent.

Mrs. Russell said her bill does not prevent “enterprising” clerks from processing out-of-county registrations and keeping the percentage.

The St. Lawrence County Clerk’s Office has earned $1.5 million since 2006 by processing registrations for more than 70 downstate car dealers. Clerk Patricia A. Ritchie said her office could reap $700,000 annually if every county resident had their vehicle registration processed locally.

But Mrs. Ritchie said the renewal form mailed to residents by the state doesn’t mention that the transaction can be handled locally. Instead, drivers are encouraged to mail their license or registration renewal to a Utica processing center, or renew through a state-run Web site or a state-run phone system. If any of those three options are used, the state keeps 100 percent of the revenue.

Mrs. Ritchie said she tried to start an Internet site that would handle motor vehicle transactions for St. Lawrence County residents, but the state said it wouldn’t allow an independent system. The clerk said she was similarly rebuffed when she tried to start processing renewals over the phone.

“I think it was all about the money,” she said.

Both Mrs. Ritchie and Jefferson County Clerk Cheryl D. Lane acknowledge that, if Mrs. Russell’s bill became law, their departments would receive money for work it didn’t do.

But both clerks said there are more than two dozen transactions more complicated than a registration renewal that county employees perform daily for the state’s benefit.

Mrs. Lane said county employees collect fines levied for lapses in insurance which is all returned to the state. She said the departmen oftent will help residents research how insurance lapses occurred.

“It takes a lot of time to see where the problem is for the customer and it takes up time we could be waiting on a customer that we could get a fee for,” she said.

Mrs. Ritchie said the county acts on the state’s behalf in several additional instances, such as clearing out-of-state tickets and helping residents change their name on a registration or title.

Both clerks support Mrs. Russell’s bill, but Mrs. Ritchie said it shouldn’t be the ultimate solution.

“We don’t want money for not doing anything,” she said. “We want customers. We want to provide the service. We’re proved over the years we can do it cheaper, better and faster.”

Mrs. Russell said the state has “gone awry” from its original agreement by creating more ways, such as the Web site, to lure revenue from the counties.

“Where do you make up shortfalls in revenue but the property tax?” she said. “That’s ultimately where this issue falls to. I’ve made the decision that we should deal with it at the state level and not put it onto a property tax at the county level.”

There is, as of yet, no Senate companion bill.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here's what's making headlines today in the political world:

Pressure pushing down on Bill Owens.

People on the streets protesting.

Sat on the fence, but it don't work.

The Times' editorial board can give Mr. Owens one more chance.

NRCC to launch March Madness ads if Mr. Owens votes in support of the health care bill.

A federal Democratic group is promising to spend money to retain the party's majority in the state Senate, which controls congressional redistricting.

State Sen. Darrel Aubertine wants to make Power for Jobs permanent.

The Gotham Gazette says if Mr. Aubertine voted for a budget that included closing Ogdensburg Correctional Facility, that would be political poison.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell is sending out mailers opposing the state park closures.

WASHINGTON — Rep. William L. Owens came under growing pressure on health care reform legislation Tuesday as part of a shrinking number of undecided votes in the House. He gave no indication whether he would support the contentious proposal.

In remaining undecided, Mr. Owens was among a handful of lawmakers gaining the attention of the White House, where President Obama was making congressional calls ahead of a House vote later this week, as well as the attention of interest groups on each side of the issue.

Until a bill is formally introduced — probably Wednesday — Mr. Owens isn’t prepared to say how he would vote, said his spokesman, Sean Magers.

However, he said, the congressman remains focused on whether the legislation encourages or discourages small businesses to add employees and whether Medicaid expenses climb significantly in New York, as Gov. David A. Paterson has warned.

In addition, Mr. Owens met at his request last week with Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Care Reform, to discuss aspects of President Obama’s latest proposal to Congress, Mr. Magers said. The president offered his own suggestions for the compromise measure, called a reconciliation bill, that will resolve differences between the House and Senate and allow the Senate to pass it with a simple majority, free of any filibuster threat.

Mr. Obama planned to continue reaching out to lawmakers, although he planned no visits to Capitol Hill as of Tuesday afternoon, White House officials said.

WASHINGTON — Democrats’ razor-thin majority in the New York state Senate is gaining notice from a national group trying to protect Democratic congressional seats.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee said Tuesday it would spend $20 million in a handful of states, including New York, where state legislatures — and their drawing of congressional maps — are at risk of turning over to Republican control.

The state Senate in New York has 31 Democrats, 30 Republicans and one vacancy, though that will be filled today after Tuesday’s special election.

“Wherever there’s a chamber that’s this close, we’re concerned,” Michael Sargent, executive director of the DLCC, said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

In the past, the DLCC has contributed to political committees and conducted research but rarely becomes directly involved in specific races, Mr. Sargent said.

Although the group believes the national political atmosphere that is hurting Democrats will not translate directly to state races, Mr. Sargent said, national issues such as job creation, health care and education should dominate candidates’ messages, he said.

Asked how the governor’s race in New York may play into state legislative races, Mr. Sargent said, “I think Democrats are going to have a very strong gubernatorial campaign, eventually.”

Varick Ready hoped he wasn't spending his lunch hour Tuesday in vain.

The Watertown resident and his wife, Jennifer, stood vigil near Rep. Bill Owens' Washington Street office with signs suggesting the freshman Democrat deliberate carefully before casting what could be the deciding vote on a landmark health care reform bill.

“I don't think the government should be involved in these things,” said Mr. Ready, who is registered without party affiliation. “Frankly, we just don't have the money for it.”

Mr. Ready was joined in his peaceful protest by a dozen members of NNY912, a local non-partisan grassroots organization which advocates for preserving individual freedoms, less government and reducing the federal deficit.

The group, which has philosophical similarities to the Tea Party movement, is one of the hundreds of special interests that will lobby Democrats such as Mr. Owens who are publicly undecided.

Mr. Owens helped his party's majority narrow pass a health reform package after taking office in November, but is concerned that the Senate version of the bill reduces the number of individuals covered and that it taxes health care benefits.

Democratic leaders who are pushing for the bill's passage are aggressive in their efforts to keep Mr. Owens in the fold.

Mrs. Ready said she was doubtful because of the pressure levied on Mr. Owens that he would vote against the reform. But Mr. Ready said the congressman “may realize that most folks don't support this bill,” although they may agree certain elements are needed.

Mr. Ready was circulating a petition that asked Mr. Owens to vote against any health care reform that didn't allow insurers to sell policies across state lines, that covered pre-existing conditions and that included tort reform measures, such as limiting awards granted to injured patients.

He also wanted to the congressman to vote against “special deals,” or earmarks used to sweeten a bill for a fence-sitting representative.

Even if all those criteria were covered, Mr. Ready acknowledged that he may still not be comfortable with the cost.

“If anything I have concern with my government about right now, it's that I want them to live within their means,” he said. “If there's 40 great things, and you only have money for five, the other 35 things don't get done.”

The NNY912 group is growing slowly. Mr. Ready, who is a steering committee member, said the group probably won't be the difference-maker in the next congressional election here, but said their outspoken approach to fiscally conservative ideals is “awakening” many local undecided voters.

Good morning! Here's what's making news in the political world:

Rep. Bill Owens is "unquestionably undecided" about his vote on health care reform. (He was a 'yes' on the first vote in November.)

The Working Families Party will not support Mr. Owens' re-election bid if he doesn't vote 'yes' again.

Mayor Graham doesn't believe the hype about the congressman changing his vote.

Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Mr. Owens lobby for Jefferson County to be designated as a high intensity drug trafficking area.

Democrat Eric Dinallo would put an assistant AG in every county if he is elected.

CQ Politics is rating the 23rd Congressional District as "leans Democratic."

New York faces a $9 billion deficit this year, but Democratic attorney general candidate Eric R. Dinallo questioned Monday the wisdom of cutting back in the office he'd like to lead.

“I can understand us wanting to cost save and belt tighten, but I'd question whether the people of the state would really think the attorney general's office — which I think has been probably one of the most successful state entities across the last 10 years — is the place where you'd really be seeking that,” he said during a Watertown stop. “It's the one that brings in fines. It's the one that brings in restitution. It's the one that brings in health insurance premiums to policy holders. I'd actually push back on that and say that's not an office that I'd be seeking to shrink very much.”

Mr. Dinallo is one of a half-dozen potential Democrats seeking the seat. The New York City attorney has plans if elected for the near 700 lawyers on staff, especially the four dozen he'll need to relocate for the “rural agenda” he's touting during an upstate campaign swing this week.

The Democrat wants to open one-room offices in each county and assign an assistant attorney general to staff it within the first two years of his administration.

“I think the regional offices do a really good job, but they're not always entirely present in the community,” said Mr. Dinallo.

Having an accessible state lawyer nearby, the candidate said, is “something that would really help people who otherwise feel outgunned and out-resourced against companies and against different adversaries.”

Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo has 13 regional offices, including those in Watertown and Syracuse, to handle local fraud complaints, civil rights and labor law violations and represent the state's interests in lawsuits.

Mr. Dinallo does not have a price tag for his rural agenda, which also includes expanding the office's Appeals and Opinions Division so that it can offer more advisory opinions to municipalities on issues from hydro-fracking to health insurance.

The candidate said staffing each outpost should result in more cases being accepted, which could generate more fines.

“I'd like to keep it cost flat,” he said. “I think that, by reallocating our resources in the first couple of years, that could be done.”

Mr. Dinallo said he knows how to reallocate resources in a large state agency, saying he did so for two years as superintendent of 1,400-member state Insurance Department. The Democrat also has experience in the state Attorney General's Office, serving as investment protection bureau chief under Eliot Spitzer.

Jefferson County Democratic Chairman Sean M. Hennessey said he was impressed most by Mr. Dinallo's experience after meeting him Monday.

“He's got a very strong background in insurance,” the chairman said. “He has a strong history of looking out for the senior community and business owners, so I think that's good too.”

Mr. Hennessey said he's also been wowed by two other attorney general candidates who have made the trip north: Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice and former federal prosecutor Sean Coffey.

“All would do very well not only in the primary, but in the general election as well,” he said.

Mr. Dinallo has collected 10 endorsements from county chairmen who represent about 4 percent of the weighted vote at the state convention.

Mr. Hennessey said his committee would meet at the end of this month to consider an endorsement for the office.

Doug Hoffman praised Will Barclay Monday for dropping out of the running for the Republican nomination for the 23rd Congressional District - and said he looked forward "to working and campaigning with the assemblyman in the months ahead."

It may be premature to book the local rec hall in Scriba, however.

Mr. Barclay was most critical of Mr. Hoffman when the assemblyman was considering a congressional bid. The Pulaski politician has promised to keep an open mind, however, before endorsing and campaigning for any of the three potential GOP candidates: Mr. Hoffman, Watertown businessman Matthew A. Doheny, and Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun.

Mr. Barclay has also said he will support whoever prevails in the primary, which could make a joint rally in Granby that much closer to reality.

Here's Mr. Hoffman's statement in full:

Good morning! Here's what's making news in the political world:

Will Barclay picks duty over ambition in dropping out of the upcoming GOP primary in the 23rd Congressional District.

The Post-Standard, the Times-Union and The Hill provide additional coverage.

Jefferson Leaning Left praises Mr. Barclay on his way out the (congressional) door.

Real Clear Politics is calling NY-23 a "toss-up."

With Mr. Barclay gone, it's time for GOP candidate Matt Doheny to "big foot" Doug Hoffman, according to Mayor Graham.

Rep. Bill Owens wants all House and Sentate proceedings to be available on the Internet.

Sen. Joe Griffo is the new ranker on Energy.

William A. Barclay said Sunday he will not seek the Republican nomination in the 23rd Congressional District and instead campaign for re-election to the state Assembly.

“As the days went by, increasing I came to realize that something was gnawing at me,” the Pulaski politician said in an e-mail to supporters. “You can sum it up with one simple word: duty.”

Mr. Barclay said he was tempted to run for Congress to excuse himself “from the ever worsening woes of Albany.” He said he even considered resigning his seat to focus full-time on his federal campaign.

“This is not a good time for someone who thinks his sort of common sense and sound judgment are badly needed right where he is just to walk away,” he wrote.

Mr. Barclay’s decision to drop out of the congressional race leaves three potential candidates for the GOP line.

Douglas L. Hoffman, a Lake Placid accountant who finished second during last fall’s special election, and Matthew A. Doheny, a Watertown businessman, are committed. Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Tupper Lake, is interested, but said he has not made up his mind.

The seat is held by Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh.

Mr. Barclay was the most outspoken of the potential candidates during his brief flirtation with the seat, with Mr. Owens and Mr. Hoffman being his two main targets for criticism.

The assemblyman also took issue with state Conservative Party leaders, who have pledged their line to Mr. Hoffman exclusively. Mr. Barclay asked Mr. Hoffman to vow not use the minor party line if he did not prevail in the GOP primary, but Mr. Hoffman has refused to do so.

Mr. Barclay said he intends to meet with all Republican candidates and will consider endorsing and campaigning for one of them before the September primary. He reiterated Tuesday that he’ll support whichever candidate Republican voters choose in the primary.

Mr. Barclay, who has represented parts of Oswego and Onondaga counties in the state Assembly since 2003, did not seek the GOP nomination for the congressional seat last July. The assemblyman, who is also a partner at Hiscock & Barclay, Syracuse, ran unsuccessfully for the 48th Senate District during a special election in February 2008.

Here's Mr. Barclay's statement in full:

Good morning! Here's what's making headlines in the political world:

North country lawmakers are skeptical of Lt. Gov. Ravitch's five-year budget proposal.

Doug Hoffman gives Bill Owens, his former opponent in the 23rd Congressional District, an 'F' for his work as a representative, also weighs in on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Mr. Hoffman and fellow Republican opponent Matt Doheny spar over earmarks, abortion rights during a meet-and-greet in Fulton County.

Mr. Owens says he's "try(ing) to get things done" in Congress and that politics "takes a second seat."

The Plattsburgh Democrat has introduced two bills to combat drug trafficking along the U.S.-Canada border.

DOCS is closing 22 housing units at 17 state prisons, including five dorms in the Watertown hub. No one loses their job, but there's 149 less potential openings now.

Rep. Eric Massa's departure is a good opportunity for the GOP to pick up a House seat. But Salon says history shows they'll blow it.

Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch's bold proposal to erase the state's deficit in five years is being received cautiously by the north country's state lawmakers.

Mr. Ravitch has suggested borrowing up to $2 billion annually for three years to fix the state's finances, creating an independent review board to review the state spending on a quarterly basis and moving the state's fiscal year start from April 1 to July 1.

“It's one of the better proposals that was floated out there,” said Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell after listening to the lieutenant governor outline his plan. “It forces the cuts that need to be made.”

The Theresa Democrat isn't completely sold on the proposal, however. Mrs. Russell is concerned by a provision which would allow the governor to take unilateral action if the executive and the legislature couldn't agree on how to fix an out-of-balance budget.

“This type of scenario would allow for mid-year cuts to education without the legislature having a say,” she said.

Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, shares similar concerns about this element of Mr. Ravitch's plan.

“Governors have proven that they'll do just the opposite: add to the budget and do things detrimental, like withholding payments,” he said. “There's got to be a check and balance.”

Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine's main concern is that Mr. Ravitch would like to borrow money.

“Borrowing for day to day expenses or to plug a deficit could end up just causing more trouble down the road,” the Cape Vincent senator said in a statement. “Debt service from the borrowing this state and its authorities have already done is a cost we cannot cut. We can only keep it from growing larger still by avoiding more debt.”

Mrs. Russell said she would not support the state borrowing to right its budget unless it was “part of a strategic plan to get us on stable ground within five years.”

Mr. Griffo said the idea of borrowing was “troublesome.” He also criticized Mr. Ravitch's idea to push the start of the fiscal year to July 1, saying the proposal lacked teeth.

“If we can't meet the budget year now, what are you going to do to ensure there's a concrete date that can't be missed?” he said. “There's an erosion of confidence in government for the simple reason that words mean nothing. Deadlines come and go with no consequence and they're ignored. That upsets me.”

Mrs. Russell said Mr. Ravitch's proposal should be used as a framework to start discussions on how the Legislature can “take on the deficit in its entirety.”

The state's projected deficits are about $60 billion over the next five years. Legislators are facing a projected $9 billion deficit in the budget due April 1.

Mr. Aubertine said the Legislature needs “to consider solutions outside of comfort zone,” and asked that the plan be “not dismissed immediately because it does point to the need for change.”

But Mr. Griffo was skeptical that Mr. Ravitch's plan would be given proper consideration.

“No idea should be dead on arrival, but my concern is that I'm not sure that those who are proposing some of these plans know where they're going next,” he said.

The Republican criticized the governor for organizing a series of town hall budget meetings instead of scheduling sit-downs with Assembly and Senate leaders to negotiate the budget.

“It's good to have a lot of ideas floating around,” he said. “But to get something done, we need to have a consensus.”

Assemblyman William A. Barclay, R-Pulaski, told his supporters today that he's decided whether or not to run for the 23rd Congressional District seat - and that he'll tell us all Monday.

"I need a few extra days," he wrote in an e-mail to his base. "I got tied up longer than expected with some tasks and then I have been so busy in Albany that I have not able to find enough time to properly prepare the announcement."

He plans to write his statement this weekend.

If Mr. Barclay runs, he'll join Matthew A. Doheny, Watertown, and Douglas L. Hoffman, Lake Placid, in a primary for the Republican nomination.

Former Gov. George E. Pataki shook up last fall’s special election in the 23rd Congressional District when he shunned his party’s candidate, Dierdre K. Scozzafava, and endorsed Conservative Party candidate Douglas L. Hoffman instead.

Ms. Scozzafava, stunned by the snub, suspended her campaign two days later.

Mr. Hoffman, who finished second on Election Day, has officially launched a second bid for the office. But this time, Mr. Pataki’s backing is not guaranteed.

“I do like Doug,” the former governor said in a phone interview Wednesday from Manhattan. “I was proud to campaign for him. At this point, I’m not endorsing anybody in that race.”

The Republican primary in the 23rd Congressional District could feature up to four candidates. Mr. Hoffman and Watertown businessman Matthew A. Doheny are in. State Assemblyman William A. Barclay, Pulaski, and Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Tupper Lake, are still considering a run.

Mr. Pataki said he’s going to review the backgrounds and positions of all candidates before making his pick, a strategy he said he employed before picking Republican Rick Lazio as his favorite candidate for state governor Wednesday.

“Rick is the right person to lead this state and restore public confidence in Albany,” the former governor said. “As people get to know him and hear his views, they’ll see he’s the right person to lead us for the next four years.”

Mr. Pataki said he liked Mr. Lazio because of his fiscally conservative platform, specifically citing the candidate’s plan to ensure property taxes are never more than 2.5 percent of a property’s assessed value.

The former governor, who spent 22 years in state government before stepping down in 2006, said he also liked that Mr. Lazio was not “an Albany insider” who could bring a fresh perspective to fixing the state’s deficit and creating jobs.

Douglas L. Hoffman, a Republican and Conservative candidate for the 23rd Congressional District race, talked to the Watertown Daily Times today about his candidacy.

In the first part of the interview, Mr. Hoffman reveals that he plans to move to the district and discusses his positions on earmarks, health care reform, defense spending and tax breaks.

Here's the transcript:

Q: I'm curious to know why you'd like to run again for the 23rd Congressional District, instead of running for the 20th seat, which is where you live.

A: I grew up in the 23rd district. I was educated in the 23rd district. I served in the Army in the 23rd district. I trained at Fort Drum. I have been in the 23rd district either living or working all my life. I have six offices throughout the 23rd district that go all the way from Lake Placid to Watertown.

I think I'm a son of the 23rd district. That's part of me and it has been a part of me all my life.

Q: Do have any intention of making a permanent residence inside the 23rd?

A: Yes, I do. I have a purchase contract that I just closed on last week. We're working on the financing and we hope to close on that property next month. It's in Saranac Lake, my hometown where I grew up. And I'll be moving back home.

Q: And that will be your main residence?

A: That will be my primary residence.

Q: Bill Owens has recently requested that about $204 million in funding be included in the federal highway bill for local projects, including projects as large as the Northern Tier Expressway and as small as installing GPS tracking devices in Oswego County vehicles. During your last campaign, you were critical of earmarks. I was wondering. In your estimation, where Mr. Owens' requests appropriate?

A: I think that we always need highway improvements. They're now working on the 781 connector to Fort Drum. We need the improvements. We need the upgrades. We need to fix the potholes. We always need money in the highway budget for the north country with the frost heaves and the severe weather that we have up here. So any congressman is going to have to go after funding for highway improvements.

As far as earmarks go, I think all you have to do is - it's the issue of earmarks that we have a problem with. I think all you have to do is look in December at the health care bill negotiation. For $300 million of taxpayer's money to be given out to bribe a senator to vote for the health care bill, that money could have been better used in highway improvements around the country to fix the things that we need fixed.

Q: So you're OK with adding funding for local projects that only benefit the localities?

A: I think that if I get elected as congressman, I'm going to fight to get every dollar that we possibly can that's available in Washington for the 23rd district.

Q: If you had been elected instead of Bill Owens, you probably would have been faced with several important votes. You mentioned the health care vote. I want to ask you about several bills and ask you if you would support or oppose them. And let's start with health care reform.

A: Health care reform I definitely would have voted against.

Q: Tell me why, as succinctly as possible.

A: I think that No. 1, we can't have a bill that's going to spend a trillion dollars over the next 10 years that we don't have. We can't have a bill that's going to add taxes to the small businesses and the middle class taxpayers. We can't have a bill that cuts important benefits from Medicare in our elderly. We can't be talking about a bill that doesn't truly address the cost-cutting measures of health care, which importantly is tort reform and interstate competition. The present bill doesn't even start to address those issues. Those are the major issues that can really cut the cost of health care.

Q: Staying in health care arena, I want to ask you about the Stupak-Pitts amendment. Would you have been for that or opposed to that?

A: I...

Q: Stupak-Pitts was (opposed to) federal funding for abortions.

A: I would been opposing to that so I would have voted for that because that prevented the federal funds for abortion.

Q: How about raising the limit on the public debt?

A: I would have voted against that. Because I think that until we start limiting the amount of national debt, we're not going to have serious conversations about reducing spending.

Q: And in that same realm, the pay as you go model that was approved.

A: Pay as you go model, if I understand it, is that unless you have the money you don't spend it. That's certainly is what we do on a home budget basis and I think that's what the government should start doing.

Q: OK, so you're for that?

A: Yes.

Q: The $636 billion Defense Appropriation Act.

A: Well, one of my strongest planks in my platform is a strong national defense and I think that has to take top priority. I do know that the budget for defense this year was reduced by some $800 million, $36 million for Fort Drum alone. And I oppose reduction in the national defense. I think we have to keep that strong and we have to put the money where our mouth is and spend it.

Q: So it sounds like you're in favor of it. You would have voted for that bill?

A: Oh, absolutely I would have voted for it. But I would have even tried harder to restore the parts that were cut out of it.

Q: I was just wondering if maybe the fact there were 1,700 earmarks totaling $4.2 billion would have caused you pause and maybe to oppose it.

A: You can't vote against a bill - that's the problem with earmarks. They tag them on and if you vote against it just because of the earmarks, you're not going to get your important priorities through. That's why I'm against earmarks because the fact that they know you have to vote for a bill like that because you need a strong national defense. But we don't need all the earmarks tagged onto to it just to spend taxpayer dollars on special projects for people around the country that may not have anything to do with national defense.

Q: Another bill I want to ask you about is the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, which continued $31 billion in tax breaks through 2010. It's an annual tax break reappropriation. Is that something you would have supported?

A: Well, I would have supported the ones that had to do with cutting taxes for small businesses, because that's the economic generator of our country. Every time you increase the tax on small business, that's less money that they can reinvest into equipment and expansion. If they're not reinvesting, then they can't hire new people.

Q: So it sounds like, because that's what this bill did - cut taxes for small businesses and families too - that was something you would have been in favor of?

A: Absolutely.

Q: This bill did include a new permanent tax that subjected carried interest to the regular tax rate instead of the capital gains rate. That's a permanent tax, so I didn't know if that would cause you, again, some pause and to maybe worry about.

A: Well, you're in Congress - you're asking me questions off the cuff here - when you're in Congress, you need to know every integral detail of a bill. Certainly as you're looking at the bills, I'm not naive enough to think that when I get to Congress, every bill is going to be perfect and I'm going to like 100 percent of the bills. I understand that movement is made in Washington through compromise and you're going to have some items that you don't like and you're going to have some items that you do like. And you have to weigh each bill to determine if it's worth the compromise to get this bill through, to get the issues that you want through.

---

In part two, Mr. Hoffman discusses Mr. Owens allegedly breaking three campaign promises, his allegation that "ACORN, the union and the Democratic Party" "tampered" with voting machines, his willingness to debate his Republican opponents and his desire to run in another three-person race:

Q: You told some of those who interviewed you at CPAC that Bill Owens had broken three campaign promises immediately upon taking office. What were those promises and how were they broken?

A: Well, immediately after being sworn in, Bill Owens voted in favor of the health care bill in Congress. The health care bill that he voted for included higher taxes on the middle class and the small business and it also included reductions in Medicare. And those are three campaign promises that Bill Owens made that he broke within 24 hours of being sworn in.

Q: OK, so the three promises were higher taxes on the middle class, higher taxes on small business and reductions on Medicare?

A: Yes. All of those were included in the new health care bill.

Q: I just wanted to ask you - the Congressional Budget Office is saying that the value of the additional benefits given under Medicare Advantage would amount to about $85 more per senior per month in 2019. So they’re actually saying that, for the majority of people, Medicare benefits would actually go up for the House bill. So I was wondering if you had different information or you disagree with their assessment.

A: I’d have to read what you’re reading. They’re saying it would go up. Just with inflation it would go up over 10 years. So what about net of inflation? Are the numbers you’re citing net of inflation or just gross numbers?

Q: I actually don’t know.

A: Well, that’s what you have to look into.

Q: Switching gears on you here a little bit, the possibility exists that this race will among three candidates again. So I wanted to know if you're willing to run against two candidates again?

A: Am I willing to run against two candidates?

Q: Yes. In the last special election, you ran against two candidates - Bill Owens and Dede Scozzafava. Are you willing to run in a three-way race again?

A: I think that's a hypothetical question. We have to see what develops here. Certainly if Dede Scozzafava got into the race again, I'd run a three-way race.

Q: Do you think you could prevail in a three-way race?

A: I think that's a hypothetical question again. I think if you look at last year, I got 70,000 votes on the conservative line. I think it's a hypothetical question. It depends on whether Dede runs again.

[Rob Ryan, Mr. Hoffman's spokesman]: It also depends on who the candidates are, what lines people are on. There's so many variables here.

A: The answer to that question is that I'm going to work very hard to reunite the Republican Party, the Conservative Party and the Independence Party in this campaign. I think that by successfully doing that, we're going to defeat Bill Owens. So I'm going to expend [inaudible] as a lifelong Republican to earn the Republican nomination. And I'm going to try to seek the Independence line. I already have the Conservative line promised to me, but I don't think there's [inaudible] to beat Bill Owens.

Q: This is my first time getting to talk to you since November, so I've got some residual questions from the end of the last campaign. You had put out a letter that suggested ACORN, the unions and the Democratic Party had tampered with the voting machines during the last election? Is that something you still believe?

A: First of all, I think we made that clear to you. I didn't put out that letter. I had a surgery at the time that letter was put out and that letter was never passed by me and I would have never approved it.

Q: Oh, OK. So who put it out?

A: I have no idea. It was somebody on my staff that did that. It was, like I said, I was involved in surgery. I wasn't even able to read. I had major eye surgery and that letter should have never gone out. I did not authorize it and I did not agree with it.

Q: Did you believe there was a virus in the machines that people used to cast their ballots? That was a separate letter.

A: I think that's been confirmed by the commissioners that there was a problem with the programming. I don't agree there was a virus. I think there was a programming error.

Q: Do you think it cost you votes?

A: I think that the commissioners on elections did a great job in recounting and I agree with the final results.

Douglas L. Hoffman said so much of his personal, professional and military career happened in the 23rd Congressional District that he considers himself “a son” of the district.

Soon the Lake Placid accountant will be a resident, too.

Mr. Hoffman, a candidate for the Republican nomination in this congressional district, said he plans to close next month on a property in Saranac Lake.

“I’ll be moving back home,” said Mr. Hoffman, who was raised in the village and served in the state National Guard there.

The 10-mile move is largely symbolic, since the Constitution doesn’t require a candidate or office holder for Congress to live in the district.

But by moving, Mr. Hoffman can avoid the criticism he faced during last fall’s special election for not living with the boundaries of the 11-county district.

In that race, Mr. Hoffman created a three-way election when, disappointed by his party’s pick of Dierdre K. Scozzafava, he sought and was given the Conservative Party’s ballot line. He later finished second to now-Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh.

Mr. Hoffman, who has been promised the Conservative Party line again this fall, could potentially create a second three-way race if he loses a GOP primary to any of three potential candidates: state Assemblyman William A. Barclay, Pulaski; Watertown businessman Matthew A. Doheny and Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Tupper Lake.

Mr. Hoffman wouldn’t say Tuesday whether he’d continue his campaign as a Conservative candidate if he lost a Republican primary, calling the scenario “hypothetical.”

When asked if he thought that he could prevail in a three-way race, Mr. Hoffman replied: “I think that’s a hypothetical question again.”

The candidate concluded: “I’m going to work very hard to reunite the Republican Party, the Conservative Party and the Independence Party in this campaign. I think that by successfully doing that, we’re going to defeat Bill Owens.”

Mark L. Barie, chairman of the Upstate New York Tea Party, said his group will host a 7 p.m. candidate forums March 25 in the Westside Ball Room, Plattsburgh, with the four potential candidates for the Republican nomination in the 23rd Congressional District.

Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Matt Doheny, a Watertown businessman, Will Barclay, a state Assemblyman from Pulaski and Doug Hoffman, a Lake Placid accountant, have agreed to attend, Mr. Barie said in a statement.

“Any one of these candidates has the potential to defeat Bill Owens in the 2010 elections," the chairman said. "They are all fiscal conservatives, they are all opposed to the trillion dollar health care bill which Bill Owens supported, and they are opposed to the tax and spend policies of the current administration.”

The forum will include written questions from the audience, he said.

This is encouraging news, especially since I was today unable to get Mr. Hoffman commit to at least one public debate with his potential Republican opponents before the September primary.

"I think it depends on the forum, but certainly if it was done in a reasonable manner I'd welcome that type of debate," he said.

And what does Mr. Hoffman consider a "reasonable manner"?

"Certainly, we would have to have it done with an independent moderator," he said. "I think if we had that, I'd be very glad to engage in that."

Douglas L. Hoffman rode a strong wave of conservative activism to a second place finish in last fall's special election in the 23rd Congressional District. Now the Lake Placid accountant — and adopted son of the Tea Party movement — is back for a second try, but not without some competition.

Mr. Hoffman formally entered the race for the Republican nomination Monday, telling his supporters in a letter posted to his Web site that he “will defeat Bill Owens” if there's a re-match.

“The months ahead will be filled with hard work because I realize: You don't inherit a nomination, you have to work for it,” the candidate wrote. “I plan to work hard to deserve the nomination of the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties and unite them, as one team, to defeat the agenda of Nancy Pelosi and Bill Owens.”

Mr. Hoffman's fiscally and social conservative positions helped him land early endorsements last fall from Club for Growth, a prominent Washington D.C.-based anti-tax group, and U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson. He leveraged their support to gain national attention from conservative pundits during an off-year for House elections.

As Mr. Hoffman's poll numbers rose, he reaped hundreds of thousands of dollars from conservatives nationwide. Prominent Republicans, from Sarah Palin to former New York Gov. George Pataki, endorsed him and turned away from their party's moderate candidate, Dierdre K. Scozzafava.

Ms. Scozzafava, Gouverneur, was driven out of the race and finished third. Mr. Owens finished two percentage points ahead of Mr. Hoffman in the race to replace Republican John M. McHugh, Pierrepont Manor.

Mr. Hoffman is the first of four potential Republican candidates for the seat this year to officially announce their candidacies.

Watertown businessman Matthew A. Doheny said Tuesday he was “definitely running” and said an official announcement was “just a formality at this point.”

“It's just a matter of putting the ducks in a row,” he said.

Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun said Tuesday that he is interested in the seat, but undecided about whether or not to run.

“The same people that would have committed money to me last time have said they are in for it again,” he said. “I think there's still time.”

Mr. Doheny, Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Maroun all sought the Republican nomination during last fall's special election. The nod went instead to Ms. Scozzafava, a state assemblywoman.

Assemblyman William A. Barclay, R-Pulaski, told supporters in Feb. 26 e-mail that he would reveal his intentions within two weeks. That self-imposed deadline is Friday.

Although Mr. Hoffman is publicly re-starting his campaign, the accountant has been actively working on his second bid since he conceded the first one last November.

Before the election results were certified last fall, Mr. Hoffman alleged “ACORN, the unions and the Democratic Party” had "tampered" with results to deny him victory — and asked supporters to send him money to “ensure every vote is counted.”

Mr. Hoffman, who ran on the Conservative Party line in the special election, dropped his "tampering" claim soon thereafter, but then alleged that the voting machines during the special election had a "virus," a charge denied by the state Board of Elections.

The candidate ultimately decided not to contest the election results after raising funds for a potential legal challenge, but vowed to challenge Mr. Owens again in the fall instead of opposing Rep. M. Scott Murphy, D-Glens Falls, who is up for election and represents Lake Placid in Congress.

The Republican's second election bid received an early boost when state Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long promised to clear the deck for Mr. Hoffman if he were to run again.

Mr. Hoffman also released a poll he paid for that showed him as the favorite for the Republican nomination, a move criticized by his three would-be opponents. He then received positive receptions last month at both state and national Conservative political action conferences. Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Long shared the Charlton Heston Courage Under Fire award at the national conference “for putting principle over their own interests.”

Mr. Hoffman told the Albany Times-Union that he would be victorious in the Republican primary, a statement that angered Mr. Barclay. The assemblyman asked Mr. Hoffman to pledge that he would not take Mr. Long's offer to run as a Conservative Party candidate — and create a second three-way race for the seat — if he were to lose the Republican primary.

Mr. Hoffman has, so far, declined to sign the pledge.

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Mr. Hoffman will visit Watertown Tuesday to meet with Jefferson County GOP Chairman Donald G.M. Coon III and hold one-on-one interviews with media at the Black River Valley Club between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The state Senate's agenda Wednesday dripped with good news for maple producers and honey collectors hamstrung by costly regulations.

Legislators unanimously agreed that sugarhouses and other maple production facilities should be defined as agricultural buildings under state building code.

Lawrence J. Rudd, who owns Rudd's Maple Syrup in Mannsville, said some producers statewide were forced to overbuild their sugarhouses to comply with more restrictive commercial building codes when they couldn't obtain an agricultural building permit for their sugarhouses.

“It wasn't feasible for them to do that and make any money,” he said.

Mr. Rudd, a director on the state Maple Producers Association Board, said local codes officers have been more flexible than their colleagues in other parts of the state.

The bill also adds language to state codes to specifically allow public assembly in sugarhouses. Under current law, agricultural buildings cannot be places for public assembly, which hinders tourism efforts.

“Maple production is a staple in our rural communities and an industry that lends itself well to tourism activities,” said Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, the bill's lead sponsor, in a statement. “By easing these regulations we are giving maple producers the latitude they need to expand their business for tourism.”

The state's 1,300 maple producers generated 362,000 gallons of syrup last year, according to the Maple Producers Association.

The Senate also unanimously agreed to scrap a 2007 law requiring beekeepers to disclose the locations of their hives and allow the Agriculture & Markets commissioner to survey apiary yards.

“The bill will let us keep our bee yards proprietary and protect our ability to keep our bees with our colonies,” said Theodore P. Elk, a beekeeper in Alexandria Bay who also is president of the Empire State Honey Producers Association, in a statement. “It's going to eliminate a lot of unnecessary and redundant paperwork for us and save us a great deal of work.”

The state will save at least $100,000 annually if the bill becomes law, according to a fiscal impact statement attached to the legislation.

“This legislation is another step toward easing unnecessary regulation on agribusiness in New York state,” said Sen. David J. Valesky, who introduced the bill, in a statement. “We need to continue to find ways to create a more friendly business climate.”

Jefferson County is the state's fourth-largest honey producer, by county, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's most recent data.

Both bills await a vote in the state Assembly.

Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, R-Gouverneur, said she supports both pieces of legislation and has requested to co-sponsor both bills. Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, is a co-sponsor of the bee bill.

If so, the New York Senate has released an uncut version of the Agriculture Committee's Monday hearing on the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act.

Don't have near seven hours? Read the Times' summary of the hearing here.

Matt Doheny, a Watertown businessman and potential GOP candidate for the 23rd Congressional District race, will host a meet-and-great from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 10 at The Club, 25 State St., Canton.

The event is open to St. Lawrence County Republican Committee members and registered Republicans in the county.

WASHINGTON — Rep. William L. Owens asked a key congressional subcommittee today to protect funding for military base operations and to consider funding a new Wellesley Island border station that was left out of President Obama's budget request.

In a hastily-scheduled appearance before a House Budget committee, Mr. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, touted those as two priorities going into fiscal 2011, which begins Oct. 1.

The Budget Committee drafts a budget resolution, which a blueprint for spending on federal programs. The actual funding, however, comes through the Appropriations Committee.

On the border station issue, Mr. Owens said the U.S. General Services Administration had requested $171.5 million, but the request was not reflected in the president's budget request to Congress last month.

On the base operations issue, Mr. Owens said many communities remain uneasy despite the Army's restoration of most of this year's proposed budget cuts and an “very modest” increase in funding reflected in the proposed budget.

“Ensuring adequate operational funding for our Army installations is critical to easing the burden on both our soldiers and the greater communities they reside in. I urge the committee to carefully consider the base operation support budget for the Army,” Mr. Owens said.

Mr. Owens said he asked to testify at the hearing, which consisted of testimony from various members of Congress.

Six Democratic state senators, including Darrel J. Aubertine, introduced legislation Wednesday to repeal the 4.7 percent tax on industrial development agencies that was included in the 2009-2010 budget.

The sextet from upstate and Long Island say the implementation of the tax is flawed because it’s calculated on an agency’s gross receipts, which includes “pass-through” revenues that IDAs collect for local jurisdictions without taking a cut.

In Jefferson County, the bill was $89,006. The St. Lawrence County IDA was charged $27,912. Lewis County IDA estimated their bill to be $28,000.

The group said it is also pushing for a repeal because the Department of Budget was statutorily required to notify all IDAs of the tax by Nov. 1, but instead sent notifications in early February.

Besides Mr. Aubertine, the group includes Sens. David J. Valesky, Oneida; William Stachowski, Lake View; Antoine Thompson, Buffalo; Brian X. Foley, Blue Point; and Craig M. Johnson, Nassau.

All six legislators voted for the state budget, which included the tax.

Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, said he voted against the budget because of “ridiculous” taxes, such as the IDA assessment.

“I was opposed to it and I remain opposed to it,” he said. “What troubles me is: I’m wondering if this isn’t a lot of political posturing, even if the end result serves our best interests.”

Andrew G. Mangione, Mr. Aubertine’s spokesman, said the caucus’s intent in introducing the bill was to “correct” a provision as part of “their ongoing effort to govern responsibility and create jobs.”

The tax is expected to generate $5 million for the 2009-10 budget.

There is, as of yet, no Assembly companion bill.

North country Sens. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, and Elizabeth O'C. Little, R-Queensbury, were named Tuesday to a government efficiency task force.

The 12-member group will investigate state agency spending and operations and make recommendations on how best to eliminate inefficiencies. (As an aside, that's supposed to be the job of every legislator.)

The group also includes Sens. Brian X. Foley, D-Blue Point; Craig M. Johnson, D-Nassau; George Maziarz, R-Newfane; Thomas P. Morahan, R-New City; Diane Savino, D-Brooklyn; Jose M. Serrano, D-Bronx; William T. Stachowski, D-Buffalo, Andrew Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers and David J. Valesky, D-Oneida.

It's unknown if this committee will report any findings before the 2010-2011 state budget, which is due April 1, is finalized.

Drew Mangione, Mr. Aubertine's spokesman, said: "This committee will waste no time in getting down to work investigating agencies and looking for ways to cut spending. But that work will likely extend beyond the current budget year because eliminating waste and fraud in state government goes beyond one budget."

Here's Mrs. Little's statement on being picked:

"In today's tough fiscal and economic times, New York State absolutely cannot tolerate the misspending of taxpayer dollars. I look forward to working with this task force and finding ways to cut wasteful spending, avoid duplication, and be a more efficient government."

And here's Mr. Aubertine:

“Upstate New York is no stranger to overcoming adversity and doing more with less in tough times. By serving on this new committee, I am proud to be working to lessen the impact of the Governor's proposed budget on my constituents, and on New York state as a whole."

Harry J. Wilson helped General Motors restructure after its bankruptcy — and the Republican candidate for state comptroller is troubled by the similarities he sees in the management of the car company and his home state.

“New York and General Motors both were the dominant entities in the field several decades ago,” said Mr. Wilson, a former hedge fund manager from Westchester County. “And in both cases, they basically got fat, dumb and happy.”

When competitors — whether Florida or Toyota — started offering more attractive deals, both entities were slow to recognize their own downturn.

“Instead they continued with the same ruinous policies, in some cases even doubled down on them, thinking they needed more of the same and further accelerated their decline,” he said during a Tuesday visit to Watertown.

Mr. Wilson, as a member of the leadership team of President Obama's Auto Task Force, used his private-sector experience in fixing distressed companies to lead General Motors through a restructuring.

Now the 38-year-old would like the opportunity to do something similar for New York.

“We are nearing fiscal insolvency. And the longer we wait to deal with our problems, the more painful it is,” the Fulton County native said. “Just like in any corporate restructuring, we have to get in there and get to the core problems as quickly as we can and get through them as quickly as we can to try to reposition the state for new growth going forward.”

Mr. Wilson said it's not to late for New York to “turn the corner,” but said leaders need to show “willpower to make the tough decisions.”

He said the comptroller's role, in part, would be to “attack spending” by noting examples where the state's money was being abused. The comptroller, he said, should also work collaboratively to help state departments craft budgets that are responsive to needs, yet responsible to the bottom line.

“There's a number of people who want to do the right thing, but all they know is to take last year's budget, grow it by 10 percent and fight for what they can get,” he said.

Mr. Wilson said his ideas were well received by the eight GOP county committee chairs he met Tuesday in Watertown, including those in Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. The candidate is collecting endorsements so that he can become the party's nominee, a designation that will aid him in raising funds.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, a Democrat, had $1.3 million on hand as of Jan. 15, according to campaign finance reports. Mr. Wilson officially started his campaign less than two weeks ago and does not have a publicly announced tally.

Jefferson County Chairman Donald G.M. Coon III said Mr. Wilson “seems like a very capable candidate.”

“He's talking about fiscal responsibility and that's certainly what we need in this state,” the chairman said. Mr. Coon was also impressed that the president's task force “thought enough of him to include him even though he's a Republican.”

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Earlier report:

Harry Wilson, a former hedge fund manager from Westchester County, will talk to Republican county chairs from Jefferson, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties today in Watertown about his bid for state comptroller.

Mr. Wilson, a Johnstown native, has worked at Goldman Sachs, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, The Blackstone Group and Silver Point Capital. He was the sole Republican on President Obama's Auto Task Force last year - the group that studied auto bailout plans for General Motors and Chrysler.

There's more about the candidate here.

Mr. Wilson is in town to introduce himself and solicit endorsements from the county chairs, although Jefferson County GOP Chairman Donald G.M. Coon III said such a pronouncement from his group won't come today.

John Faso, the party's last gubernatorial candidate, had considered a run for comptroller before bowing out. C. Scott Vanderhoef, Mr. Faso's running mate during that 2006 race, is reportedly considering the race as well.

It's expected that Democrats will support the current office holder, Tom DiNapoli.

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