This week, my Assembly colleagues and I passed a resolution that contains a series of reforms designed to make Albany more transparent and accountable to the taxpayers of New York.
The resolution’s passage marks the Minority Conference’s continued efforts to reform New York state government. It is also part of a string of legislative successes we have achieved this year such as workers’ compensation reform, civil confinement of the worst sex offenders, and ethics and budget reforms.
While I am pleased with these accomplishments, we still face many obstacles in making New York a more affordable place to live and work. I am well aware that now is not the time to rest on our laurels. Instead, my Assembly Minority colleagues and I vow to build on our achievements by pushing for additional reforms.
I will continue to support legislation to reform the way the state handles its debt. This legislation would end the practice known as “backdoor” borrowing and would require any new borrowing proposals to be approved by voters. I am also in favor of legislation that would require the state to use ten percent of a budget surplus toward paying down the state’s growing debt.
On top of debt reform, I will continue to support efforts to end Albany’s excessive spending habits by requiring a super majority (2/3) vote for final passage of any bill that imposes a new tax, or continues or revises an existing tax.
Reforming the state’s borrowing and spending practices is the only way to reduce the state’s excessive taxes and help to make us competitive in the 21st century economy. This in turn will keep residents from fleeing to other states and attract more businesses to upstate New York.