On January 9 I was deeply honored to be appointed Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly by Speaker Sheldon Silver. I am most grateful to the Speaker for his support and his confidence in me.
As Majority Leader, I will assist in managing debates and the day-to-day operations of the Assembly. I look forward to the session ahead and continuing to serve this great community and this great state.
We've accomplished so much these past two years in Albany, establishing a new era of fiscal stability and accountability and making state government more efficient while maintaining the essential programs many of our most vulnerable citizens need.
Many challenges remain. We must rebuild areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy, help our local governments solve their financial woes, and build a stronger, fairer economy where all New Yorkers have equal opportunity to prosper and improve their lives. I believe we can achieve all this and much more, and I am especially gratified to have assumed the role of Majority Leader at such a critical moment for the Empire State.
Governor Cuomo released his proposed $143 billion FY2013-2014 state budget on January 22. In his address, the Governor called for a broad range of initiatives, including increases in education spending and the minimum wage and the creation of innovation "hot spots" to spur economic growth, all without imposing new taxes and fees.
The budget includes more than $5 billion in federal aid for Hurricane Sandy relief, and closes a $1.3 billion budget gap through state agency cuts and consolidations.
I am pleased that the proposal includes a hike in the hourly minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.75. For many, a minimum wage increase can make a genuine difference in their ability to make ends meet, and this is especially true at a time when we are still recovering from a long national recession.
In the weeks ahead the Legislature will review and debate the Governor's spending plan, with the goal of passing a third consecutive on-time budget that, most of all, serves the best interests of the people and taxpayers of New York.
For more on the proposed budget, use this link: NYS Division of Budget.
February is Black History Month, a moment to honor the inestimable contributions to this nation's birth and development made by her citizens of African-American descent, throughout the centuries and to the present day.
It is fitting that we observe Black History Month in February, the month of the birth and death of the great abolitionist, writer and intellectual, Frederick Douglass, whose own life story so powerfully intersects with the history of the Rochester region and Upstate New York. February also marks the birth of Abraham Lincoln, whose most enduring acts as president earned him the title of "the Great Emancipator."
At a moment when we have just seen the second inaugural of our first African-American president, Black History Month is a chance to reflect upon how far we have come, how far we have to go, and how our diversity of backgrounds and experiences ultimately makes us a stronger people and nation.