Name: “One Man”

Sponsor: Friends of Bill Stachowski

What the ad says: “You think you know how bad it is in Albany? Every day is a battle to stop New York City from stealing money and jobs from you. One man has been taking on the New York City gang. One man has brought tens of millions to Western New York. One man has stood his ground for the property tax cap, for the jobs UB 2020 will bring. Senator Bill Stachowski. Don’t help New York City. Keep Stachowski working for us.”

What the facts say: Studies conducted by the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester have found that New York City and the downstate suburbs pay out more in state taxes than they receive in money from the state budget, while upstate New York receives more from the state than its residents pay in taxes.

But with the rise to power of the downstate-dominated Democratic Conference in the State Senate—their peers have long run the Assembly — money for member items and transportation projects has shifted from upstate districts to New York City.

Is Stachowski “taking on” this “New York City gang”? He has remained loyal to the downstate members of his caucus who make up most of the Democrats’ narrow majority in the Senate.

Senate Democrats, led by the upstate members of their caucus, and Gov. David A. Paterson this year pushed measures that would set a cap limiting the annual growth of property taxes for school districts.

GOP senators said that it was an attempt to curry favor with voters and help vulnerable incumbents such as Stachowski. The Senate passed a property tax cap, but it was rejected by the Assembly.

•••

Name: “Fighting for Us”

Sponsor: Friends of Bill Stachowski

What the ad says: “Which words do the New York City downstate enemies of Western New York hate to hear? ‘Bill Stachowski.’ Stachowski fought for the property tax cap. Stachowski fought for UB 2020 and the jobs that come with it.”

Assemblyman Mark J. F. Schroeder, D-South Buffalo, then says, “Seven thousand jobs would be created instantly and the number of jobs over the years would be incredible for the City of Buffalo and for Erie County and Western New York.”

The narrator returns to say, “Want to get even with New York City? Keep Bill Stachowski.”

What the facts say: Stachowski held back his vote for the revenue portion of this year’s state budget until his colleagues agreed to give the University at Buffalo and other State University of New York campuses more flexibility to operate, including raising tuition.

Stachowski finally gave in a month ago after the Assembly refused to pass the bill.

He contends that Senate and Assembly leaders approved a “framework” for a deal on the legislation, but no details have emerged, and Erie County Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy — a Democratic Primary riva l— calls it a “phantom framework.”

Schroeder’s figures appear to come from UB’s own estimates that its expansion plans would add 6,700 jobs at UB, 20,000 construction jobs and nearly $2 billion in additional economic impact.

•••

Name: “Texting a Message to Albany”

Sponsor: Kennedy for Senate

What the ad says: “Why Tim Kennedy? Because texting while driving was killing almost as many drivers as alcohol. Tim Kennedy passed a law to ban texting while driving. And that’s just the start of what Kennedy did for safety; [he]:

“• Fought for tougher laws against sexual predators.

“• More sheriff deputies.

“• Enhanced our 911 system.” “So that’s why you’re voting for Kennedy?”

“Well, anybody would be better than those two Albany incumbents. But Kennedy actually has what it takes to shake things up.”

“OK — shake away! Kennedy’s got my vote.”

What the facts say: In 2008, the most recent year for which data are available, there were 11,773 fatalities caused by alcohol-impaired drivers, while 5,870 people were killed in crashes caused by all forms of distracted driving, from texting or talking on a cell phone to eating or using a GPS device, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported.

However, the National Safety Council notes that while the presence of alcohol can be objectively tested for, it is much harder to measure or document cell phone use as a factor in a crash.

Kennedy was a main sponsor of the measure that passed the County Legislature last fall that makes texting while driving a primary offense in Erie County.

Legislators unanimously approved the bill after the State Legislature passed a bill that made texting while driving in New York a secondary infraction, meaning that drivers could be ticketed for it only after they are pulled over for another reason.

In 2005, Kennedy pushed through the County Legislature a bill that called for improving the distribution of information on the state’s registered sex offenders and that urged the Buffalo Public Schools to do a better job of notifying residents when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood.

In addition, Kennedy’s staff pointed to the 2007 Erie County budget, which added 10 sheriff’s deputies to attempt to deal with jail overcrowding and added positions at Central Police Services to handle calls to the county’s 911 system.

— Stephen T. Watson