I'm pleased that Governor David Paterson and his staff have finally taken the time to brief Legislative Leaders on the size of the federal economic stimulus package and how it will be utilized. It is critical that we, as the people's representatives, are well informed on the issues and have a voice in how the funds are allocated.

This process cannot fall prey to New York's typical "three men in a room" style of doing business. It must be transparent, targeted and timely, with meetings held out in the open so both state and local officials are actively involved.

We must be sure that upstate and the suburbs are not left out in the cold as we move forward. Our state is in a dire financial crisis. New York is hemorrhaging jobs; health care and energy costs are skyrocketing; and people are losing their homes. This money would be better spent on Main Street than on Wall Street, our families and small businesses deserve no less.

My Assembly Minority colleagues and I look forward to working with the Governor to make this a swift and equitable process. We can't afford to waste even one dollar of this stimulus package. We will do all we can, with the elected officials in our districts, to be sure that these funds are spent in a manner that puts New York on the road to financial recovery.