Last week, Governor Spitzer started off the 2007 legislative session with his first State of the State address. The speech highlighted a number of issues and themes that must be taken up this year, among them reforming state government, revitalizing the upstate economy, and providing new opportunities for education.
For years, my Assembly Minority colleagues and I have championed the need for change in Albany. Governor Spitzer has called for comprehensive ethics and structural reforms to make state government more accountable to all New Yorkers. The governor echoed the Assembly Minority Conference in the need to enact reforms in the budget process by accelerating the process and creating more transparency.
Another reform proposed by the governor and long championed by the Assembly Minority was the emphasis on establishing an independent, non-partisan redistricting commission. Enacting this reform will not only open the process but it will also provide for fair representation for all New Yorkers.
Beyond the theme of accountability and reform, the second main theme of Governor Spitzer’s State of the State address was revitalizing the upstate economy. As the Ranking Member of the Economic Development committee it has been a priority to enact measures that will help businesses thrive and create jobs upstate. The governor has taken a significant step in the right direction with his proposed agenda to revitalize the state.
Governor Spitzer’s economic development plan mirrors many of the proposals the Assembly Minority conference has worked to enact. From real property tax relief to easing the burden placed on small business, I look forward to working with Governor Spitzer on enacting a comprehensive plan to restore hope and long-term vitality to New York.
Education is the cornerstone of our future. For years, New York has been in need of fundamental education reforms to help increase the standards for all children. Governor Spitzer wants to create an innovative economy built on a solid educational foundation. I support Governor Spitzer’s push to make school districts more accountable on how they spend state aid, establishing a new transparent school funding formula, and investing in class size reduction and technology in our schools.
Governor Spitzer has presented an ambitious agenda to restore integrity and accountability in state government, a revitalized economy for Upstate New York, and education reform. I am hopeful that a new bi-partisan vision will take hold in the state Legislature that will lead us to days of great change where hope and opportunity exist for all New Yorkers.