Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce Passes Resolution Calling for the Resignation of Senator Hiram Monserrate

(Utica, NY) The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce board of directors, at its December 8 meeting, has approved a Resolution Calling for the Resignation of Senator Hiram Monserrate. The attached document is the actual resolution, and below is supporting information regarding the approved resolution.

The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce has established an official public policy position seeking the creation of an independent agency that can help establish and maintain ethical standards necessary for good and trustworthy systems of government in New York State[1]; Senator Monserrate has violated the trust of the people whom he was elected to serve by being one of two Democrats who had sided with Republicans to give them a 32-to-30 majority, said he was switching his allegiance again and reaffirmed himself as a member of the Democratic caucus[2].

Senator Monserrate’s flip flopping back and forth and attempted coups of the New York State Senate cost New York State taxpayers $125–$150 million in routine taxes that weren’t collected[3]. As an elected representative of the New York State Senate, Senator Monserrate must be held accountable and his actions held to the highest standards. Therefore, the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce calls for the immediate resignation of Senator Hiram Monserrate and calls upon the State Senate special Committee and the New York State Senate to expel Senator Monserrate from his duties as New York State Senator.

MOHAWK VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RESOLUTION SEEKING RESIGNATION OF SENATOR HIRAM MONSERRATE

WHEREAS, the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce has been working for and with local businesses to create a positive economic environment in the Mohawk Valley and New York State; and

WHEREAS, the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for its members and the communities it serves; and

WHEREAS, the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce has established an official public policy position seeking the creation of an independent agency that can help establish and maintain ethical standards necessary for good and trustworthy systems of government in New York State[4]; and

WHEREAS, Senator Monserrate has violated the trust of the people whom he was elected to serve by being one of two Democrats who had sided with Republicans to give them a 32-to-30 majority, said he was switching his allegiance again and reaffirmed himself as a member of the Democratic caucus[5]; and

WHEREAS, Senator Monserrate’s flip flopping back and forth and attempted coups of the New York State Senate cost New York State taxpayers $125–$150 million in routine taxes that weren’t collected[6]; and

WHEREAS, October 15, 2009, Monserrate was acquitted of the second-degree assault felony accounts, and convicted on a third-degree assault misdemeanor count which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison. Therefore, he will not automatically lose his seat in the New York State Senate. Being a first offense, it is expected he will be sentenced to serve little or no time in jail on December 4^{[5][41] [7]}; and

WHEREAS, a State Senate committee will consider disciplinary recommendations to be presented to the entire Senate as a consequence of the assault conviction^{[6] [8]}; and

WHEREAS, as an elected representative of the New York State Senate, Senator Monserrate’s must be held accountable and his actions held to the highest standards; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce calls for the immediate resignation of Senator Hiram Monserrate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce calls upon the State Senate special Committee and the New York State Senate to expel Senator Monserrate from his duties as New York State Senator.

Adopted by the Board of Directors of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce December 8, 2009

[1] http://www.mvchamber.org/documents/163.pdf

[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/16/nyregion/16albany.html?_r=1

[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_New_York_State_Senate_leadership_crisis

[4] http://www.mvchamber.org/documents/163.pdf

[5] http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/16/nyregion/16albany.html?_r=1

[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_New_York_State_Senate_leadership_crisis

[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Monserrate

[8] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Monserrate