Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt (R,C,I-Greenwood Lake) has released a video statement to constituents reiterating her “to do” list priorities for the remainder of this year’s regularly-scheduled legislative session, which is scheduled to end on June 20.
“Your priorities are my priorities,” said the assemblywoman. “The ‘to do’ list of the people of the 97th Assembly District is my ‘to do’ list here in Albany, and I am fighting to get Albany’s leaders on board to accomplish these meaningful and necessary reforms before they leave the Capitol on June 20.”
Topping Assemblywoman Rabbitt’s list is reducing the property tax burden on homeowners and businesses. She explained, “We need to provide relief. People need to keep their homes. They need to keep their jobs and our state’s excessive taxation is compromising the ability of every homeowner and every employer to stay afloat. We also need mandate relief. I am lucky to work with such great local partners who are fiscally responsible, but in these difficult economic times, they need Albany to stop pushing unfunded and unnecessary mandates onto the backs of local and school officials.”
Assemblywoman Rabbitt also wants to see Albany enact measures to reduce energy costs for homeowners, employers and motorists. She said, “With the summer upon us and people traveling, the rising cost of fuel is a big concern. But we have a responsibility to do more than that. We must create a long-term energy policy that not only reduces costs now but sets up our state for a greener, sustainable future.”
A forensic and independent audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) also is needed to help protect jobs and homes, said the assemblywoman. “The MTA payroll tax is literally forcing businesses to close, jobs to be lost, and homes to be sold. At the same time, Orange and Rockland counties do not have an equal vote on the MTA board. If we are expected to pay an equal share of this destructive tax, the least we deserve is an equal vote.”
Reforming the state’s expensive pension system and improving ethics laws round out Assemblywoman Rabbitt’s list of priorities. She said, “We must lead by example. We need to protect taxpayers from greedy and corrupt officials and work to streamline the state’s expenses in order to set us on a path toward fiscal solvency and success.”