Congressional Candidate Screening
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CONTE: NEXT STEP FORWARD TO FINANCIAL STABILITY
This week Governor Cuomo presented his Executive Budget and once again laid out a sound fiscal roadmap for the Legislature to pass an on-time budget. By capping the growth of state spending below 2 percent and increasing funding to Long Island’s schools and hospitals without any broad-based tax increases, borrowing or creating new fees, the Governor has set forth a fiscally prudent state spending plan to help New York take the next step to financial stability.
The Governor’s budget also begins to reduce the size and cost of state government. For years, my Republican colleagues and I have continued to call for the streamlining of state agencies, and I’m encouraged that the Governor’s budget calls for this as well as shutting down unnecessary and redundant programs to make state government more efficient and cost effective.
I also salute Governor Cuomo for working to freeze the local share of Medicaid costs and proposing a new pension tier to reduce costly unfunded state mandates. However, more needs to be done in the short and long terms to reduce the costly unfunded mandates currently driving up property-tax bills and using up millions in local revenue.
I am also concerned about our state using tax dollars to build a convention center at Aqueduct, and I have grave reservations as to whether or not this investment will pay dividends, especially when considering the “track record” of other state-sponsored gambling ventures like OTB.
Furthermore, while I applaud Governor Cuomo’s job-growth initiatives, I believe there needs to be more transparency in the Economic Development Councils in order to make sure that state funds are matched with the most worthy projects, which will result in the creation of the most private-sector jobs.
Finally, by keeping within the parameters of the Governor’s spending plan, living within our means, and staying committed to no new borrowing, tax hikes or fees, I am confident this Legislature can pass a fiscally sound, on-time budget that reduces the size and cost of state government while promoting private-sector job growth.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
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2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION FULL OF POTENTIAL
Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address was an uplifting speech on the progress our state made last year as well as a sober reminder of the work that needs to be done this year in order to move the state forward in 2012.
One of the biggest challenges lawmakers will be forced to confront is providing substantial mandate relief to Long Island’s school districts and local governments. Mandate relief is instrumental in our efforts to lower the region’s property taxes and can help address the unfair practice of making local families pay for policies crafted in Albany.
Mandate relief, coupled with the property tax cap that I voted to enact last year, will help to reduce Long Island’s property taxes and will give our schools and local governments a chance to better utilize their resources in order to enhance the services they provide to our community.
The Governor’s State of the State address also focused on the need to improve the economy. By expanding economic development and building on the success of last year, namely SUNY2020 and the partial repeal of the MTA payroll tax, lawmakers and the Governor can continue to work at making the Empire Statea more affordable place to do business while increasing our investments in an innovative economy that grows jobs.
Through job creation and economic growth, lawmakers can lay the foundation for a stronger economy and bolster state revenue. This will help to ensure that the state’s obligations to Long Island’s schools and hospitals are met without the need for higher taxes, new fees or new borrowing.
New revenues, coupled with an increased effort to right size state government, is the formula needed to control state spending and place New York on a sound economic footing. To limit state spending, I will continue to push for a cap on state government spending and work with my colleagues in the Legislature and the Governor to modernize the state workforce and cut programs and departments that no longer meet the needs of a dynamic 21st century society.
There are many challenges that need to be met in the 2012 session. By meeting these challenges, we will be able to unlock New York’s potential and lay the foundation for a stronger and more sustainable economic recovery.
Jim Conte
Member of the Assembly
10th District ( Nassau & Suffolk Counties )
RAIA: 2012 WILL BE THE YEAR OF JOBS, MANDATE RELIEF AND MEDICAID REFORM
A statement from Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R,I,C – East Northport)
“With a new year comes a new legislative session in Albany. Governor Cuomo’s State of the State speech is an opportunity for us to build upon the accomplishments of 2011 and keep the momentum going to accomplish more in 2012.
“During this legislative session, it is of the utmost importance that we get New Yorkers back to work, provide meaningful mandate relief for our local school districts and governments, and reform our state’s top cost-driver, Medicaid.
“I applaud Governor Cuomo for holding the line against new taxes and fees. Maintaining fiscal discipline will be extremely important this year, as we face an estimated $3.5 billion dollar deficit that can be closed if we do not spend or borrow irresponsibly.
“Today was a good start toward a productive session; this year we should focus on what New Yorkers need now. I hope we can all work in a bipartisan fashion without facing political gridlock that will slow down our work and endanger the future of our state.”
Response to State of the State
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