Kolb Named To Economic Development Committee

Appointed to State Budget Conference Committee to “Jumpstart” Process

February 13, 2006

Assemblyman Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) today was appointed by Assembly Minority Leader James N. Tedisco (R,C,I-Schenectady, Saratoga) to serve on the Economic Development Budget Conference Committee to help pass an on-time state budget by the April 1st deadline.

“It’s critical to our state’s economy that the Legislature pass a state budget when it’s due on April 1st every year,” said Assemblyman Kolb. “If businesses and taxpayers are responsible for paying their bills on time, than so should state government. I thank Leader Tedisco for appointing me to this important position to help jumpstart the budget process now and ensure that businesses have a voice at the negotiation table.”

Two weeks ago, Kolb and his Assembly minority colleagues unveiled a digital clock in the Capitol that is counting down the days, hours and minutes to the April 1st deadline. They also unveiled a new package of budget reforms that include the following:

• State Comptroller intervention with a binding revenue estimate if a consensus is not reached by March 10th.
• Increase the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund.
• Provide a plain-language summary of the budget 48 hours prior to a vote.
• If a new budget is not yet in place, enact the previous year’s budget no later than 72 hours after the start of a new fiscal year.
• Prohibit consideration of non-budget bills after April 1st until the budget is adopted.
• Require two-year education funding.
• Prohibit any legislative recess until a late budget is approved.

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