Heeeeee’s baaaaaaack! That’s right folks, Jim Walsh has finally broken his silence and struck back at Rochester Turning, Majority Action and any other groups that would hold him accountable for his voting record on the minimum wage. After lying to me on the Radio about his record way back in early August, now its Walsh’s turn to respond… and in a big way!

In the September 29^th edition of Adnet Direct (Southwest Wayne County Edition) on page 9 of the Second Section (nestled between other exciting articles such as “Barn Sale in Ontario” and “Popcorn Sale benefits Boy Scouts”), there is a fantastic piece entitled “Walsh talks about the minimum wage.”

Wow! That’s the best press release/article I’ve ever seen.

Here are the facts from the New York State Democratic Committee:

The Walsh Record on the Minimum Wage

1) Estate Tax - Rule

On June 22, Walsh helped kill a Democratic attempt to offer an increase to the minimum wage during debate of the Estate Tax cut bill. The rule for debating the bill offered by the GOP leadership prohibited Democrats from offering the increase. When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt. A Yes vote was a vote to kill the minimum wage increase. To see how Walsh voted, click here. [HR 5638, vote #308, 6/22/06; Leadership Document, “Democrats are Fighting for a New Direction, A Pay Raise for Millions of Americans,” 6/22/06]

2) Estate Tax – Appeal the Ruling of the Chair

On June 22, when Democrats attempted to offer a minimum wage increase during debate of the Estate Tax cut bill, Walsh and House Republicans ruled the attempt out of order. Democrats appealed the ruling and then Republicans voted to kill the appeal. A Yes vote was a vote to kill the minimum wage increase. To see how Walsh voted, click here. [HR 5638, vote #313, 6/22/06]

3) FY 07 Science-State-Justice-Commerce Appropriations – Rule

On June 27, Walsh helped pass a rule for debating the FY 07 SSJC appropriations bill that barred a Democratic attempt to offer an amendment to increase the minimum wage. A Yes vote was a vote against the minimum wage increase. To see Walsh voted, click here. [HR 5672, vote #319, 6/27/06; Leadership Document, “Democrats are Fighting for a New Direction, A Pay Raise for Millions of Americans,” 6/27/06]

4) Internet Gaming – Rule

On July 11, Walsh helped kill a Democratic attempt to offer an increase to the minimum wage during debate of the internet gaming bill. The rule for debating the bill offered by the GOP leadership prohibited Democrats from offering the increase. When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt. A Yes vote was a vote against the minimum wage increase. To see how Walsh voted, click here. [HR 4411, vote #360, 7/11/06]

5) Credit Rating – Rule

On July 12, Walsh helped kill a Democratic attempt to offer an increase to the minimum wage during debate of the credit rating bill. The rule for debating the bill offered by the GOP leadership prohibited Democrats from offering the increase. When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt. A Yes vote was a vote against the minimum wage increase. To see how Walsh voted, click here. [HR 2990, vote #364, 7/12/06]

6) Pledge Protection Act - Rule
On July 19, Walsh helped kill another Democratic attempt to offer an increase to the minimum wage, this time during debate of the Pledge Protection Act. The rule for debating the bill offered by the GOP leadership prohibited Democrats from offering the increase. When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt. To see how Walsh voted, click here. [HR 2389, vote #382, 7/19/06; Leadership Document, “Democrats are Fighting for a New Direction: A Pay Raise for Millions of Americans,” 7/19/06]

7) Appropriations Committee Rejected Minimum Wage Increase
On June 20, the House Appropriations Committee rejected an amendment offered by Rep. Dave Obey (D-WI) to the FY 07 Science, State, Justice, and Commerce appropriations bill to increase the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour by 2009. The amendment failed 28-34, with every Republican present voting no. Walsh voted against the amendment. [CQ Committee Coverage, House Appropriations Committee, 6/20/06]

Perhaps Mr. Walsh forgot about those votes? I don’t think so.