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People’s Convention to Reform New York Town Hall Press Release‏

Hudson, NY – Is Albany working for you?

That was the question Assembly Republican Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua) asked to open a Town Hall meeting he convened this evening at the Hudson Elks Club, where he discussed support for a “People’s Convention to Reform New York,” and described how it could deliver the positive change that New Yorkers of all political parties – and regions – have been demanding. Kolb was joined and introduced by his colleague, Assemblyman Marc Molinaro (R,C,I-Red Hook).

The People’s Convention to Reform New York is a grassroots, non-partisan reform effort to empower citizens so they can take back their state government and, in the process, chart a positive, new direction for New York. Some of the issues that could be considered during a People’s Convention include fiscal reforms like a property tax and state spending cap, debt reform, along with a ban on “backdoor” borrowing and unfunded mandates. Governmental reforms such as initiative and referendum, an independent Legislative Redistricting Commission, term limits for Legislative Leaders, ethics reform and a succession plan for state offices could also be considered as part of a People’s Convention.

Kolb also discussed his non-partisan legislation, “The People’s Convention to Reform New York Act,” Assembly Bill A.9157. If enacted, the bill would put the question of whether New York should convene a “People’s Convention” on the 2010 ballot; by law, this question automatically goes before voters in 2017. The non-partisan measure would move up the opportunity for reform by seven years, accelerating the state’s ability to enact long overdue and much-needed changes. The legislation specifically requires that any elected official seeking to run as a delegate for, or serve in, the People’s Convention must first resign their office.

“There is a growing feeling among New Yorkers that their state government has stopped working for them – that it’s grown too costly, unresponsive and disconnected from the lives of those it was supposed to serve. It is time New Yorkers took their state government back – it begins by convening a ‘People’s Convention,’ which is the first step toward restoring accountability,” said Kolb, who noted that over 2,000 people have already gone to www.reformny.org and signed the on-line petition in support of a People’s Convention.

“Hudson Valley families want real reform in Albany, especially given this year’s late state budget,” said Molinaro. “Genuine ideas to improve our state government like a ‘People’s Convention to Reform NY’ resonate with the constituents in my district. Citizens are demanding results and I am very glad Leader Kolb traveled to Hudson to report on this positive, effective way to make government work for the people again.”

Kolb and Molinaro will also hold a People’s Convention Town Hall on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the East Fishkill Senior Center, 888 Route 82, in East Fishkill.

Molinaro represents the 103rd Assembly District, which contains Columbia and Dutchess counties. Kolb’s 129th Assembly District is located in the Finger Lakes region and contains Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Ontario and Seneca counties. For further details on the People’s Convention to Reform New York, go to www.reformny.org, and follow Assembly Republican Leader Brian Kolb on Twitter and Facebook.

IT’S APRIL 15th: GOT TAX RELIEF?

North Country taxpayers “feeling the tax squeeze” thanks to Assemblywoman Russell’s support for billions in new taxes and spending

Today is April 15th — Tax Day — when state and federal income tax filings are due. This year, North Country taxpayers will pay more of their hard-earned money to New York State government because of Assemblywoman Addie Russell’s (D-Theresa) votes in Albany to raise taxes and fees.

Last year, Russell voted for a state budget that hiked taxes and fees by $8.2 billion and raised state government spending by nearly 10 percent. That budget eliminated STAR property tax rebate checks and hiked taxes and fees on sportsmen, health insurance, home purchases, energy bills, auto insurance, DMV license plates, beer and wine sales, and SUNY tuition.

Two weeks ago, Russell voted for an Assembly budget resolution that would add $2 billion in new borrowing and hike job-killing taxes by $342 million. New York taxpayers are already on the hook for $57 billion in state debt; $10 billion of that still remains from past borrowings to cover deficits over the years. Meanwhile, the state budget is now two weeks overdue with no anticipated date for passage in sight.

“This Tax Day, North Country residents are feeling the tax squeeze like never before from the state and federal governments and Assemblywoman Russell’s votes to hike job-killing taxes have not delivered much needed relief,” said Kathleen Hennessey, Spokeswoman for the New York Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC).

“Assemblywoman Russell needs to stop stalling and start working to pass a fiscally responsible budget that actually lowers taxes, cuts government spending and helps create private sector jobs to put people back to work,” concluded Hennessey.

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER BRIAN KOLB CALLS FOR “EXTREME MAKEOVER” OF NEW YORK’S GOVERNMENT

Kolb pushes for statewide, public budget forum between Governor Paterson and Legislative Leaders so taxpayers can learn where everyone stands on critical issues of
taxing, spending and borrowing

The late 2010-11 State Budget is the most recent, glaring example of why New York’s government is in need of an “extreme makeover,” according to Assembly Republican Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua) who today called for Governor Paterson and the Legislative Leaders to meet in a public budget forum to be broadcast and televised live, statewide next week.

Kolb said the public budget forum would allow New Yorkers to learn exactly where the Governor and each Legislative Conference stands on taxing, spending and borrowing and outline their specific plans for closing New York’s $9.05 billion budget deficit. Kolb suggested one of Time Warner Cable’s 24-hour news channels such as Your News Now (YNN) or NY1 News, along with public television and radio stations, as possible hosts of the hour-long budget forum, in addition to it being streamed live via the Internet.

“As bad as the late State Budget is, even more frustrating for taxpayers is the fact that there is still no public, transparent schedule of how – or when – it will be completed from the Assembly and Senate Democrat Majorities. That is simply unacceptable and shows why our broken state government needs an ‘extreme makeover’ that will correct these problems and build a strong foundation of true transparency and accountability to taxpayers,” Kolb said.

“Last year’s State budget was put together using a closed door, secretive process that excluded the Minority Conferences and rank-and-file Members. The spending plan it produced was fiscally irresponsible, contained $8.2 billion in new taxes and fees, and exploded the budget deficit. This year, the Governor and Democrat Majorities followed that same bad game plan and shut out taxpayers from what should be a completely open, transparent and accountable budget process,” Kolb stated.

“There has been too much talk and not enough action to ensure taxpayers know exactly where everyone stands. I believe it’s time everyone put their cards on the table. Legislative Leaders and the Governor need to meet in a public budget forum to be broadcast and televised live, statewide, so taxpayers can hear and see our specific solutions and challenges to closing New York’s $9.05 billion budget deficit. New Yorkers deserve answers from Albany and this public budget forum I am proposing would help provide them,” Kolb concluded.

LEADER KOLB, ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS UNVEIL PRISON TASK FORCE REPORT

Task Force on Workforce Issues in the Correctional System offers solutions to address safety, administrative and fiscal issues in New York’s prisons

ALBANY, NY – New York State Assembly Republican Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua) and Assembly Republican Task Force on Workforce Issues in the Correctional System Co-Chairs Assemblymen Gary D. Finch (R,C,I-Springport) and Joseph M. Giglio (R,I,C-Gowanda), Ranking Republican on the Assembly Committee on Correction, unveiled the Task Force’s final report during a press conference in Albany today.

The lawmakers were joined by their Assembly Republican colleagues, as well as Chris Leo, Legislative Director for the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) and prison staff.

“Few issues are more important than ensuring the collective safety and security of all New Yorkers through the proper supervision of dangerous, incarcerated criminals,” Kolb said. “Our Task Force on Workforce Issues in the Correctional System was established in June of 2009 to gather feedback from the professionals working in New York’s correctional facilities to learn what policymakers could do to increase worker safety, reduce waste and maximize the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars.”

“New York’s ongoing fiscal crisis and $9.05 billion state budget deficit has put our correctional system – and those working in it – under tremendous personal and financial pressure,” Finch said. “While there is an urgent need to maximize efficiencies and save taxpayer dollars in all areas of state government, this cannot occur at the expense of our correctional system and the personnel who are literally on the front lines of public safety. I am proud to join today with corrections personnel and my Assembly Republican colleagues to put forth reforms that will ensure that every dollar of New York’s corrections budget is utilized effectively.

“The ultimate goal of this Task Force is the creation and implementation of comprehensive legislative initiatives and administrative policies that will keep New York State correctional facilities safe and secure, while ensuring that the Department of Correctional Services utilizes taxpayer dollars and state resources in the best manner possible,” Giglio said.

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Sportsmen Rally For North Country’s Economy and Against More Addie Taxes

Assemblywoman Russell’s votes target of outrage for hiking costs
for licenses and fees on sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts

Hundreds of sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts from across New York, including members of the North Country ATV Association, yesterday gathered in Albany for the first-ever “Sportsmen & Outdoor Recreation Awareness Day.”

The attendees met with legislators to highlight the impact heritage sports have on the state’s economy and were particularly up in arms over anti-sportsmen votes cast last year by Assembly Democrats including Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa).
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City Hall News: Several Challengers Eyeing Race Against Embattled Queens Assemblywoman

Queens Democrats stick with Carrozza, despite residency, tax problems

By Chris Bragg

In July, the Daily News published a series of damaging articles about Assembly Member Ann-Margaret Carrozza, revealing that she was living in a Long Island mansion 15 miles outside her district, had double dipped on tax rebates and had accumulated the worst attendance record in the Assembly.
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Poughkeepsie Journal: Skartados adding to state fiscal mess

Poughkeepsie Journal
Letter to the Editor

Our assemblyman, Frank Skartados, was called back to Albany recently to fix a mess he helped to create.

This year, Skartados voted to hike taxes and fees from everything from DMV license plate fees to eliminating STAR property tax rebate checks. All this was done by Skartados to pay for a record state spending spree. Now that the economy has tanked and state revenues have bottomed out, the chickens have come home to roost for Skartados’s bad budget, and the state soon may not be able to pay its bills.
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