Gov. George Pataki laid out his vision for New York in 2006 and beyond last week during his 12th, and final, “State of the State” address. It was a strong message, delivered with a sense of leadership and full of ambitious goals. Not only did the governor’s words inspire my minority colleagues and me, but it renewed our vigor in fighting for the people of New York.
Gov. Pataki touched on some issues of great importance to 117th district, including a more expedient process to the already successful state Empire Zones program. We in the state Legislature will work hard to authorize expansion of existing Empire Zones and designation of the special districts in counties without any. As the ranking minority member on the Assembly Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce & Industry Committee, I am very eager to get more Empire Zones in place. Our state economy benefits every time more businesses start or expand in these special districts.
Renewable fuel sources were encouraged by the governor as a way to help keep New Yorkers’ cost of living under control. He proposed the sources be placed at each service station along the state Thruway in an attempt to lower fuel costs for motorists.
The governor also placed tax cuts as a top priority, and it’s exciting to see his leadership on this initiative. High taxes have continued to push our children out of New York after their college graduations, and the exorbitant taxes prevent businesses from locating here because they slash their profit margins. Cutting taxes is the first step toward great economic growth.
Perhaps the most important initiative laid out by the governor was his five-point plan tackling the issue of sexual predators. It is my opinion that the safety of all New Yorkers should be the most important item on the agenda for all legislators; unfortunately, some elected officials believe the rights of sexual predators and other criminals supersede the rights of victims.
I am very happy the governor’s plan includes many of the measures the Assembly minority has been pushing for years –even decades.
Number one on the agenda: civil confinement. Since 1993, we have been calling for civil confinement of the most dangerous sex offenders. Gov. Pataki supports it, and the state Senate has passed bills by overwhelming margins on numerous occasions. The lone obstacle – for over a decade – has been the Assembly majority.
Another issue of paramount concern to us is the potential lapse of a portion of the Sex Offender Registry on January 21. If we do not amend Megan’s Law before then, 168 Level 1 and 2 sex offenders will be dropped from the registry on that day alone. Over 3,500 could be dropped by the year’s end. This must absolutely be among the first orders of business for the Assembly this year.
I also support the governor’s call for longer prison sentences for violent sex offenders, requiring all criminals to submit DNA samples to the state database, and ending the statute of limitations on rape and sex-related crimes.
I’m proud Gov. Pataki is leading the state’s lawmakers into this legislative session. He has advanced a strong and effective agenda that truly would make New York a safer, friendlier place to raise a family and an ideal state for new and existing businesses alike.