In the Assembly I've worked to ease the tax burden on working families and seniors by voting to:

• Reject $2.1 billion in nuisance taxes and fees proposed in the executive budget, which would have nickel-and-dimed families on cable and satellite television services, capital home improvements, personal services (haircuts, manicures), movie theater and sporting event tickets, digital downloads, store coupons and soft drinks.

• Preserve the basic and enhanced STAR exemption, putting extra money in the pockets of Yonkers taxpayers.

• Impose a temporary income tax increase on New Yorkers making over $300,000 a year, to provide dollars for education, health care and other important services.

• Create the Empire State Child Tax Credit, eliminate the tax on clothing and footwear under $110 and the marriage penalty tax, and limit the state sales tax on gasoline.

I am also pushing for legislation to rein in Yonkers property taxes by:

• Restoring the Middle Class STAR rebate program.

• Creating a circuit breaker personal income tax credit.

• Providing mandate relief and paperwork reduction for school districts.

• Promoting greater use of shared services.

Cutting wasteful state government spending is another step towards tax relief. This year the budget enacted $6 billion in reoccurring spending cuts, more than twice as much as any budget in our state's history. These cuts and reforms will continue to save taxpayers billions more in years to come. The Assembly is also working to:

• Reform and consolidate the 800 public authorities in our state.

• Eliminate the use of private contractors by state agencies.