New Session, New District, Same Priorities

From the desk of Assemblyman John D. Ceretto (R,I,C-Lewiston)

February 11, 2013

The 2013 legislative session is in full swing, and with little more than a month underneath our belts, lawmakers are working diligently to pass the third consecutive on-time budget. In addition to being on time, I am working to ensure that this budget meets the needs of our communities while staying in line with the governor’s proposed two percent state spending cap and not raising taxes.

This year also marks my second term in the New York State Assembly. However, for many of you, this will be my first time as your representative in state government. That is why I feel it is important to inform you of my legislative priorities this year while providing you with my contact information so I can learn more about the issues that concern you most.

Job Creation

Creating jobs and improving our region’s economy has and will continue to be my top priority as your assemblyman. To promote economic development and job growth locally, I am working on the state and local levels to enhance our growing tourism industry, increase cross- border trade and make our area a regional transportation hub by enhancing the cargo capacity at Niagara Falls International Airport, redeveloping Lehigh Valley Railyard, and several other local initiatives.

However, these and other pro-growth initiatives need to come with a reduction in the state’s high cost of doing business. By eliminating many of New York State’s costly regulations and reducing its high taxes and fees, we can create an environment that attracts industry and other private sector development.

Tourism

I am proud to announce that I have been named the ranking Minority Member on the Assembly Tourism Committee. Tourism plays such an important role in our local economy, and I look forward to using my experience in the parks department to help promote, enhance and expand our region’s tourism industry.

One project that is of critical importance is the re-design of the Robert Moses Parkway to benefit the City of Niagara Falls and each of the river communities, while preserving the area’s environmental stability.

To help expedite this project and to formulate a comprehensive strategy for moving our tourism industry forward, I will be hosting several events with key partners from the local tourism industry, state, local and parks officials and the public.

Unfunded Mandate Relief

One of the most important issues lawmakers will face this year is unfunded mandate relief. To date, little headway has been made on this important issue, and more must be done to reduce these burdensome costs on our schools, local governments and, most importantly, our property taxpayers.

Unfunded mandates are the underlying cause of our high home taxes, and for too long have been Albany’s way of making Western New York homeowners pay for programs they simply can’t, or won’t pay for on the state level. This practice has had a disastrous effect on our state, and has contributed greatly to New York’s decades-long taxpayer exodus.

Be assured, I will continue to lead the fight to reduce and eliminate unfunded mandates during this year’s session.

Low Cost Power

The Niagara Falls Power Project hydroelectric plants have a larger combined power-producing capacity than the next four largest utilities in the state, yet our region continues to see little benefit from them.

While we have made some progress over the past two years, such as the creation of the Western New York Power Allocation Board that will provide low-cost power to local residents and businesses, we are still without local representation on the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees. A Niagara County board member would be an asset to our region and would ensure that the power produced at the largest electricity-producing plant in the state is used to lower power costs in Western New York.

Contact Me

These are just a few of the legislative priorities I will be focusing on this legislative session. These issues are very important to me, but equally important are any issues and concerns that you may have.

I run a very open office, and I encourage all of my constituents to contact me by phone at 716-282-6062, by e-mail at cerettoj@assembly.state.ny.us, find me on Facebook, or stop by my office at 1700 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls. My staff and I are ready and willing to assist you.

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