It’s hard to believe we’re already well into June and that there are few days left until the 2006 legislative session closes for the year. That’s why I’ve vowed to continue the fight over the remaining days of session for passage of meaningful legislation that benefits all New Yorkers.
It seems like only yesterday I was fighting to strengthen Megan’s Law so that it further protects our children and vulnerable residents. But that was almost six months ago. Last month, we scored a major victory with passage of the state gas sales tax cap, saving New Yorkers millions of dollars. Now we need to turn our efforts toward equally important issues.
I want to see meaningful civil confinement legislation passed to add protections for our state residents against dangerous sexual predators. Passed in its original form, civil confinement keeps the most dangerous of all sexual predators, classified by the state as Level 3 offenders, in secure facilities beyond their prison terms until they are deemed safe to re-enter society by medical professionals.
Equally important to me is ensuring alternative fuel sources are explored as our nation continues to suffer from inflated gas prices. Utilizing the benefits of one of our most abundant resources in New York, corn and other bio-fuels, as an energy source would not only help reduce the cost of fueling our vehicles and cut back our dependence on foreign sources of oil, but give a much-needed boost to our state’s agricultural industry. By creating jobs on farms, producing cheaper fuel and reducing the cost of doing business, everyone wins.
Time is indeed short, but I vow to not let up the pressure on the Assembly majority to pass this meaningful legislation to benefit our state as a whole. It is my hope that we deliver the relief to New Yorkers that they need now, and not wait until 2007 arrives to do so.