I am flabbergasted at how the 2013 Legislation Session began. The principles of transparency and good government were turned on their heads on January 14 and 15, when Gov. Cuomo pushed his dangerously-flawed gun control bill through the legislature with a Message of Necessity. His bold move shut down the voices of millions – those who believe in their Second Amendment rights – but, more importantly, it shut down their right to participate in government. I worry that this “my way or the highway” attitude from Cuomo will be a detriment to upstate New York.
A heavy-handed approach isn’t going to work this year.
We’ve invested in our economy and capped property taxes, but we still need several things to make upstate flourish, such as lasting property tax relief and a friendlier business climate, which were given no mention in the governor’s State of the State Address.
If we listen to our constituents, we’ll find the solutions to these big challenges. Gov. Cuomo and Albany must humble themselves to accomplish what needs to be done.
Local governments and school districts are concerned about how to make ends meet without overtaxing property owners. They repeatedly tried to gain Gov. Cuomo’s support to remove the many unfunded mandates that eat up most of their budgets, only to be met with the establishment of a do-nothing advisory board and hollow promises. They know it’s not feasible or sustainable to continue to burden families and small businesses with these costs. While a two percent property tax cap is helpful, New Yorkers know that mandate relief is really the crux of property tax relief.
I am thrilled about Gov. Cuomo’s Hi-Tech business focus on the Mohawk Valley, but that alone cannot spur the growth and revival that upstate needs. What will help grow jobs in our region is a friendlier business climate. New York has thousands of pages of overlapping and far-reaching regulations. Businesses often have to contend with five or more state agencies just to be in compliance. It costs money and time to keep up. Small-business owners are crying out for relief. Scaling back these regulations and giving them a reprieve from expensive fees and fines will give them the room to breathe, grow and hire within our communities.
I will not accept a legislative year where Albany and Gov. Cuomo think it is okay to stop listening to the people. It is absurd to think that the recently-displayed behavior is acceptable. I will fight to make sure your voices are heard and that Albany listens.
As the representative of the new 118th Assembly District, I am eager to continue working with residents in Herkimer and Fulton counties, and I look forward to meeting those in Hamilton County; the towns of Boonville, Deerfield, Lee, Steuben, Trenton and Western in Oneida County; and the towns of Clare, Clifton, Colton, Fine, Parishville, Pierrepont, Madrid, Norfolk and Stockholm in St. Lawrence County. Please e-mail me any time at butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us or call my Herkimer office at (315) 866-1632 or my Johnstown office at (518) 762-6486.