Assemblyman Jack Quinn's Spring 2008 Update

Assemblyman Jack Quinn’s

SPRING 2008

UPDATE

Dear Friends,

quinnj@assembly.state.ny.us

3812 South Park Avenue
Blasdell, NY 14219
(716) 826-1878

Room 721
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
(518) 455-4462

Now that the budget has been passed, we turn our focus onto other issues that are affecting New York families every day. I have introduced new pieces of legislation to benefit the people of Erie County, which you can read about inside this newsletter.

Finally, I have had the pleasure to attend a number of events in the past few months and become involved with various organizations in the Buffalo area. You can see the pictures and read more about these events and groups inside as well.

As always, if you have any questions or ideas, please contact me anytime via the information on the right.

Best regards,
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2008 Legislative Highlights

Keeping Young People in New York

As a life-long Western New Yorker, I am committed to making this area special and affordable for years to come. I am particularly interested in making sure that Erie County and New York continue to draw in the best young talent from around the country. That is why I have authored legislation which addresses some of the most pressing needs of young New Yorkers, by:

Allowing those with student loans to deduct the cost of their interest payment from their taxable income on their New York State tax return.
Allowing a New York State taxpayer who is between the ages of 18-35 and buying their first home, to receive tax credits to help pay for their mortgage.
Supporting legislation to give tax credits to employers that provide health care coverage for their employees.

I have also been a big supporter of the University of Buffalo’s UB2020 program. As part of New York’s Upstate Revitalization plan, money was allocated to support UB2020 which will help UB become a premier multidisciplinary research institute.

FIGHTING THE
THRUWAY TOLL HIKES!

This past January, I was proud to join Comptroller DiNapoli at the unveiling of his audit of the Thruway Authority. The audit was in response to a number of hearings held throughout the state which heard local businesses and families talk about the devastating impact raising tolls would have on their lives.

I am firmly opposed to these toll increases and the negative effect they will have on families and businesses which depend on the Thruway for daily activities. That is why I have sponsored A10075 which would remove the Canal Corporation from the jurisdiction of the Thruway Authority. Additionally, I have sponsored A10584 which would abolish the New York State Thruway Authority and transfer its powers according to the findings of a temporary state commission so that there would be more accountability in Albany to the taxpayers of New York.

2008 BUDGET WRAP-UP!

The recently passed state budget spends $121.45 billion which is $5.44 billion above the spending for last year; a 4.69% increase. New Yorkers, on average, experienced just over 2% in income growth during the past year, which means state spending is increasing at a faster rate than the tax base to be able to cover the spending. I VOTED AGAINST THIS BUDGET and the increased spending, fines, taxes and fees, such as:

A new sales tax on goods bought over the internet from out of state companies.
A measure to require businesses and organizations in New York State to pay increased fees for criminal history searches.
A tax increase of $1.25 on each pack of cigarettes sold.

These were just a few of the “revenue adjustments” that are meant to close a budget gap of over $4 billion. Ultimately, Albany must stop the spending habits and learn to live within its means.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

ANGOLA TRAIN HORROR!

2008 will mark the 141st anniversary of the “Angola Train Horror” on December 18, 1867. Almost fifty people lost their lives and many more were seriously injured when the last two cars of a Buffalo bound train from Cleveland went off the tracks and caught fire.

One passenger who should have been on one of those cars, had he not been running late, was industry tycoon John D. Rockefeller. Rockefeller, a punctual person, happened to miss the train and came upon the disaster in Angola on a later train as he headed toward Buffalo and then to New York City. Luckily for him and us, Rockefeller lived and went on to become the grandfather of New York Governor and 41st Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller.

Assemblyman Quinn’s
Community Outreach Schedule:

Come meet Assemblyman Quinn at one of the following times!

June 28, 2008 from 12-2:00 p.m.
Springville at the
Springville Municipal Court Building

July 19, 2008 from 12-2:00 p.m.
Angola at the Angola Village Hall

August 16, 2008 from 12-2:00 p.m.
Boston at the
Boston Town Hall in the Community Room

Buffalo For Africa

Recently, I have had the pleasure of becoming involved with Buffalo for Africa. As their website tells us, the goal of Buffalo for Africa is to raise awareness in Western New York about the Darfur genocide, to work towards ending poverty and hunger in Africa, and create a coalition of businesses, individuals, and other civic-minded organizations to help.

I encourage everyone to learn more about this organization and get involved in some small way so that we can make a difference for those who have almost nothing at all.

To schedule a meeting with Jack or to have any questions answered,
contact him at quinnj@assembly.state.ny.us

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