The state Capitol itself couldn’t be a more fitting analogy of New York state government and politics; it’s grand and opulent, and upon closer examination, you see it is full of cracks and dark corners. Unlike the grand chateau that we call our Capitol, our government rests on a shaky and uncertain foundation – at what point will New York collapse under itself?
New York government for too long has been built on policies that seem to weaken the state and its citizens. Instead of a sound foundation of fiscal prudence, ethics and restraint in government, we can see that over decades New York government has been built on the backs of hardworking taxpayers with a heavier load every year.
I am proud to say that we were able to pass an on-time budget that closed a looming $10 billion deficit, mainly achieved through spending cuts. We approved the Power NY low-cost energy program and expanded the Excelsior Jobs program, which will lower costs for our small businesses, farmers, and manufacturers who are our job creators.
Ethics laws were amended and improved to expand the business and income disclosure requirements of not only our elected officials and public employees, but lobbyists. We prevented an onslaught on our Second Amendment right and protected traditional outdoor sports. We passed a two percent property tax cap and implemented the very beginnings of mandate relief. The year’s legislative session, as you can see, has achieved some good things; but I caution my colleagues that these fixes are the beginning, a skim coat, if you will, to cover some of our cracks. More work on our foundation is necessary.
I have, with every decision I make, considered how policy affects those living in my district. I think of your bottom line and what it might take for you to lead a prosperous life in New York, and I know that Albany has left much undone to protect your interests. Yes, it is true we have tougher ethics laws, but in the same breath, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE), which will enforce these new rules, as created and defined by the new law may have difficulty enforcing these new reforms.
Yes, it is true that we have a property tax cap, but there remain hundreds of costly unfunded mandates on our schools and local governments that interfere with your true property tax relief and reform. As session came to a conclusion, my minority colleagues and I offered up an amendment to immediately address the skyrocketing costs of Medicaid, but the New York City led-majority blocked our efforts to relieve your burden.
Finally, yes, it is true that our budget made efforts to bolster job growth in this state; but what remains the largest obstacle to our state’s economic recovery is our very own government, with its billions of dollars worth of taxes and its ever-increasing regulatory demands and red tape. There is so much work left to be done and we cannot delay our efforts to rebuilding our state’s foundation again, not on you, the taxpayer, but on sound and prudent policy.
As always, if you have any questions or comments about our local economy or any state issue, please don’t hesitate to contact me at either my Johnstown office at (518) 762-6486, my Herkimer office at (315) 866-1632, or by email at butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us.