“The new legislative year brings us an opportunity to build on the gains we made last year and continue to move Suffolk County in the right direction. With tax relief for middle-class families, the elimination of the MTA payroll tax for small businesses and $6 billion for job creation, education and health care under our belts, we can now move forward. I applaud the governor for his promise to put our students first and I look forward to working with the governor and my colleagues in the legislature to ensure that our schools perform better and provide the best possible education for our children. Together, I know we can accomplish great things during the 2012 legislative session and improve the lives of Suffolk County families.”