BALL

Bold. New. Leadership.

A Legislative Update for Greg's Hometown

Concocted behind closed doors by three New York City men, without the opportunity for public comment or time for rank-and-file legislators to fully digest the billions in backroom borrowing and pork, this year’s budget is not good for our state or our local community.

This year’s budget is the most expensive in state history, despite the unprecented fiscal challenges facing our state. The budget does little to nothing to stimulate the economy or put people back to work.

Greg fought hard to fight against Governor Paterson’s 137 new and increased taxes and fees, as well as his payroll tax on all businesses in the MTA service region and cuts to the successful STAR program.

Unfortunately, the three men in a room refused to cut sacred cow programs like Medicaid and instead, their budget further hurts taxpaying residents.

BALL

Legislative Update
for Greg’s Hometown

On February 10, Greg hosted a Legislative Lobby Day in Albany to support Hannah’s Law, legislation he drafted to help children with severe food allergies, or eosinophilic disorders. Named after 4-year old Hannah DeVane from Yorktown, Hannah’s Law would ensure all insurance plans cover the treatment of eosinophilic disorders. Greg is also working together with lawmakers in other states, such as Illinois, where similar measures have passed. Here in New York, Greg’s bill has gained bipartisan support in both houses and could soon be on its way toward enactment.

Greg has been a leader in helping to raise autism awareness. His past forums in our community have helped bring families and organizations serving those with autism together and helped bring legislation to diagnose and treat autism spectrum disorders to the forefront of Albany’s agenda. Greg is the author of a comprehensive legislative package that is gaining bipartisan support in both houses. April is Autism Awareness Month and marking the occasion, Greg is bringing the Assembly Minority Task Force on Autism to our area as well as hosting a Statewide Task Force Roundtable and Legislative Lobby Day in Albany. Join Greg at one or both of these important events. “Charlemagne’s Law,” Greg’s landmark legislation to stop the inhumane pet mills that are over-breeding cats and dogs, has gained bipartisan support in the State Legislature. To help keep this momentum going, Greg is now working with animal activists and breeders to make this legislation even better.

Mark Your Calendar!
Join Greg at these Community Events

The STAR program was being threatened in this year’s budget. Governor Paterson completely cut your property tax rebate check and wanted to reduce your STAR tax exemption.

Reforming the broken process by which we collect school taxes has long been Greg’s top priority and you can rest assured that he will continue to fight against these misguided proposals.

Taking away the successful STAR program is not the solution.

1099 misclassifications hurt law-abiding, responsible businesses as well as our state’s workforce and immigrant populations; cheat local, state and federal governments out of billions in revenue annually; cause insurance costs to skyrocket; impose higher taxes on homeowners; and contribute to an illegal, black market economy.

In fact, a Cornell University study showed that 1099 fraud cost our state $4.3 billion in annual taxable income over a four-year period. Employers call their workers “independent contractors” to avoid taxes, insurance costs, and payroll deductions. They pay in lump sums and claim they will report workers’ annual earnings on IRS Form 1099. The 1099 scheme lets companies avoid normal payrolls, so they don’t pay Social Security, Medicare, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, or overtime – all of which are required by law. 1099 abuse involves many crimes: tax evasion, mail and insurance fraud, grand theft, wage-and-hour violations, money laundering, and racketeering/RICO activity.

The Ravitch Commission Report, recommended not only raising MTA fares on our local commuters, but also recommended to tax the payrolls of all businesses within MTA service areas, including Dutchess County. Greg Ball said “NO!” and joined a caucus of Mid-Hudson Region lawmakers in opposition to the report’s recommendations. Greg will hold steadfast against these unnecessary new taxes that will not only hurt employees, but hurt our local economy at large.

Bold. New. Leadership.

With an $8,000 state grant, Greg helped to continue the annual Teatown Hudson River Eaglefest, held at Croton Point Park in February. The event helps to highlight the conservation efforts made locally to protect these majestic birds during their winter migration. Stay alert for Eaglefest 2010 and plan to join Greg there!