Earlier this week, I called for a limit to be placed on the amount of bills individual lawmakers can introduce. I called for this measure because with 11,000 bills, or more, per session to review, the legislature is limited in producing real results on the issues that matter to New Yorkers most.
For the last few years, my constituents have been telling me that the state’s out-of-control spending habits are the leading reason why they can no longer afford their home, to run the family business, or stay employed. It is the reason why our children and grandchildren are moving out of state after they graduate.
Nearly every leading government watchdog organization has condemned New York’s addiction to spending. It has resulted in our state having the highest taxes – on homeowners, on businesses, on commuters, and, in recent years, some in Albany have even proposed taxes on hair cuts, x-rays, and bowling alleys.
There needs to be greater control over our state spending. Earlier this week, my colleagues had an opportunity to introduce a sound state budget proposal based on a responsible fiscal plan. There was no such plan. As I said on the floor during the debate on the budget resolution, Albany has once again let down the people of this state and I will return home this week to tell my constituents, “We have no fiscal plan.”
Because it has become evident, especially over the last couple years, that our state cannot depend on state leaders to present, or vote on, or even enact sound and responsible fiscal policies, I have introduced new legislation that would require the state Comptroller to see and approve or deny any bill that would create a new state tax, fee, surcharge or any other receipt.
As the state’s chief fiscal officer, and in these tough economic times, I believe the state Comptroller should step in to check and balance the impact of legislation on behalf of the taxpayers of this state. Without an independent and fair accounting of each bill, I cannot support any measure that further adds to the tax burden New Yorkers already face.
You can learn more about my legislation, A.5691, by visiting my official Assembly Website or by contacting my office at 845-291-3631. I want to hear from you. Please share your thoughts with me by joining the discussion online on Facebook or by e-mailing me directly at rabbitta@assembly.state.ny.us.