Joseph Griffo

Griffo served in the Oneida County Legislature from 1989 to 1991.[4]

Griffo was elected mayor of his hometown of Rome, NY in 1991,[5] and won two subsequent elections in 1995 [6] and 1999.[7]

As Mayor, Griffo eliminated Rome's special one-quarter percent sales tax.[8] Also, Griffo "was able to prevent a tax hike there (Rome) in all but one of his years in office, despite the crippling loss of Griffiss Air Force Base in 1993 - perhaps the worst single economic blow the county has ever seen."[9] Griffo merged the parks and recreation departments and handed over the city's weights and measures and emergency management departments to the county, resulting in savings. To prevent closures and service cuts, he privatized Rome Hospital, the Erie Canal Village, and city trash collection services.[10]

Griffo was instrumental in bringing Woodstock 1999 to Rome; this effort earned him the nickname "The Rock N' Roll Mayor." [9] The concert was held at the deserted Griffiss Air Force Base and served as a precedent to using the space for future concerts and events. Woodstock '99 attracted over 200,000 people. The event was largely successful until the final day, when the audience--encouraged by the performing band--began making bonfires. [11][12] As the crowd got out of control, state troopers and local police dispersed the crowd without further incident.[13]

Griffo was appointed Oneida County Executive in June 2003 to serve out the term of his predecessor. Griffo was then elected to the post in November 2003.[14] After raising taxes 16% for 2003, his predecessor had announced that taxes for 2004 might need to be raised by as much as 26% due to skyrocketing Medicare costs and retirement benefits. However, after Griffo was appointed County Executive, he was able to balance the 2004 budget while raising taxes by 2.9%.[15] In 2005, he implemented a prescription drug plan that cut drug costs for Oneida county residents by up to 38%.[16]

Griffo increased the county sales tax 1.5% in the 2005 budget to cover soaring Medicaid costs. Normally, sales tax revenues are split amongst state, county and townships/cities. However, in order to cover mandated Medicaid costs, the 1.5% increase would all go to the county government. Utica Mayor Tim Julian began claiming a share of the revenues.[17] Griffo remained adamant in refusing to split the revenues. Griffo tried to disarm the situation by offering the city of Utica $800,000 in debt forgiveness, which Julian refused.[18] Griffo eventually won out and the county did not split the extra sales tax revenues with Utica.

Griffo helped stop the New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI) plan to run electricity from Canada through Oneida County. Concerned citizens feared the project would increase electricity costs in the area and pose health and safety risks to residents.[19] A grassroots effort formed opposing the plan, and Griffo supported that effort with $50,000 of county money.[20] [21]

In 2006, Griffo ran for State Senate. Utica Mayor Tim Julian ran against Griffo in the Republican primary for State Senator. While Julian lost the primary, he secured a spot on the Independence Party ticket and continued his campaign. A week before the election, Julian dropped out of the race.[22]

Griffo was elected in 2006 to represent the 47th district in the New York State Senate.[1] He replaced Raymond Meier,[23] who instead ran for Congress that year.[24] Among Griffo's significant legislation was a law that created the website ResultsNY.gov where anyone could log on and see how state funds were being used.[25] Griffo also proposed bills that would create term limits for the Governor, Comptroller and Attorney-General as well as forcing vacancies at statewide positions to be filled through popular election rather than appointment by the Governor.[26] [27] "His bills have included child abuse victim protection, a law to keep snowmobile fees for trail system use and legislation capping assessment increases for farmers." [28] Griffo voted against same-sex marriage legislation on December 2, 2009; the bill was defeated.[29] In 2011, he voted against the Marriage Equality Act, which the Senate passed 33-29.[30][31]

On January 3, 2017, Griffo drew media attention for a sharp and contentious Twitter exchange with Melissa DeRosa, Chief of Staff to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo.[32][33]

In December 2018, Griffo was appointed Deputy Minority Leader of the State Senate.[34] In January 2019, he was appointed Acting Minority Leader after Minority Leader John J. Flanagan sought treatment for alcoholism.[35]