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.

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.

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.

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.

Kolb chose Co-Chairs Finch and Giglio to lead this important Task Force because of their extensive knowledge about the challenges facing our correctional system. Finch is a former Ranking Republican Member of the Assembly Committee on Correction and Giglio is the current ranker, a former Sheriff’s Department employee and Deputy Inspector General for New York State.

“We are pleased to have our long-held claims of a top heavy administration validated,” said Donn Rowe, President of NYSCOPBA. “This thorough report encompasses ten hearings from across the state where it was illustrated numerous times that DOCS manipulates its data, cuts from the bottom to maintain the top and is creating a system that endangers my members, civilian staff and inmates. We thank the Task Force for taking the time to investigate this very serious matter and hope the public is now more aware of the state’s prison system.”

The Task Force held 10 public forums in Albany, Alden, Auburn, Comstock, Fishkill, Gouverneur, Malone, New Windsor and Verona throughout the summer and fall of 2009. The forums focused on exploring ways to improve safety and enhance efficiency within state prisons. Task Force members heard testimony from rank-and-file officers, medical personnel, educators, counselors, along with members of NYSCOPBA, CSEA and PEF who are charged with the day-to-day operational responsibility of keeping our correctional facilities safe and secure. Numerous invitations were extended to State Department of Correctional Services Commissioner Brian Fischer and other administration officials, who, unfortunately, chose not to testify.

Key findings of the report include the following:
a.. The Department of Correctional Services has changed the way it reports “percentage of occupancy data,” maintained unsafe inmate-to-staff ratios, allowed the double bunking of inmates, failed to maintain the required number of Crisis Intervention Personnel and downgraded certain violent incidents by not reporting them as assaults;

a.. Maintaining prison capacities below 100 percent, ensuring proper staffing ratios, eliminating double bunking and keeping the number of Crisis Intervention Personnel at appropriate levels will reduce serious injuries occurring in state prisons;

a.. The New York State Commission of Correction should initiate a study to determine the most accurate way of reporting prison capacity statistics, review the current practice of counting temporary, infirmary and special housing unit beds as permanent beds, and establish appropriate inmate-to-officer staffing ratios that will reduce prison violence and the number of “Unusual Incidents”;

a.. Additionally, the study should verify the necessity of administrative positions based in Albany, evaluate which services and programs the Hubs can administer, determine the scope of responsibilities for each administrator and closely examine state-funded housing and other public benefits allegedly given to superintendents and administrators;

a.. Administrative personnel at the Department of Correctional Services Control Center provide an overlap of non-essential services. The size of the Department of Correctional Services’ internal administration needs to be right sized accordingly; · The Department of Correctional Services has not used tax money wisely in its prison closures, adaptive reuse plans or the elimination of prison farm operations. Careful consideration needs to be given toward the development and implementation of a reasonable, three-year reuse plan for facilities that have been closed or are slated for closure; and

· Tailoring a viable reuse plan to an affected local community’s specific needs to make up for the devastating impact of facility closures on local economies and quality of life is of paramount importance. The report also recommends that New York explore moving federal prisoners to state facilities to generate revenue and making effective use of vacant prison farmland.

The Assembly Republican Task Force on Workforce Issues in the Correctional System will submit its report and specific recommendations to Governor David Paterson, the State Legislature, the New York State Department of Correctional Services and the New York State Commission of Correction for their review and input.

Four new lawmakers took their seats in the Assembly Chamber yesterday following special elections in New York City and its suburbs last week.

The GOP gained ground by picking up two new seats in four special elections held on Feb. 9 and the only Democrat winning last week, David Weprin, will take over a seat formerly held by his father and his brother. This November the new legislators will need to be re-elected to keep their seats.

“It was a great day,” said Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua. “Obviously, we are very happy with our success on Election Day, and we are looking forward to November as well because we believe we have the best message for voters. We are looking forward to more good news to come.”

In Westchester County, a historically Democratic district, Republican Robert Castelli won the 89th District seat that Adam Bradley left to become mayor of White Plains.

Castelli, a small-business owner, former Lewisboro town councilman, state trooper and criminal justice professor at John Jay College, was first sworn in on Feb. 16 in his district. He ran on a platform of property tax relief, private-sector job creation and “zero-tolerance” ethics reform.

He said the ethics reform bill passed in the Assembly last month was a watered-down version of what is truly necessary – changing how the legislative power structure operates.

“Both Republicans and Democrats are marginalized by a system of rules where the speaker has unilateral power,” he said. “We need a constitutional convention to change the way New York state government works, to restore power to the people who are supposed to lead.” Citing concerns that he will have to battle against partisan politics to accomplish real reform, he said, “We need a nonpartisan approach, not bipartisan.”

Property tax relief is the first priority for the constituents of Westchester County, according to Castelli, who said his district has the highest property taxes in the country. “It is something that is choking us as a county, and as a result we are bleeding jobs like water through a sieve,” he said.

Castelli said the solution is to take a business-minded approach to reducing government spending through government agency consolidation, increasing public-private partnerships and ending unfunded mandates. “The conversation begins and ends with one word: taxes. The solution begins and ends with one word: reform,” he said.

On Long Island, Nassau County ‘s 15th Assembly District remains a Republican stronghold as Michael Montesano succeeded Rob Walker. Walker stepped down to accept the position of chief deputy county executive. Montesano has been an attorney, a village justice, a school board member and a detective.

One problem facing Montesano’s constituents is heroin use. According to the new lawmaker, Nassau County has seen an increase in heroin use in the last two to three years. “It is a plague,” he said, not only affecting adults, but school-age children too. Montesano said he wants to provide more resources to police so they can target school-age children and be provided better crime fighting equipment.

While Montesano acknowledges that drug use doesn’t just affect his district, he recognizes the affluence of his constituency provides the youth with greater financial opportunity to buy drugs.

Another concern for Montesano is the controversial Metropolitan Transit Authority payroll tax.

“The way I see it, the MTA is extremely, extremely poorly run,” he said. It is the lack of accountability that makes the MTA financially irresponsible and the MTA payroll tax took a “big bite” out of municipalities and schools that are already struggling fiscally, Montesano said. “This is where the state has to come in with a strong hand and take control,” he said.

In Suffolk County, Dean Murray, a Republican, prevailed in a tight race for the 3rd District seat, formerly held by Democrat Patricia Eddington, who stepped down after she won the position of town clerk for the town of Brookhaven last November.

Murray said the MTA payroll tax is a main concern of his as well. Murray, who is currently the owner of a Long Island advertising agency, said his first order of business is to try to repeal the MTA tax, saying it is an undue burden.

“We’re bailing out an authority we barely use,” he said. According to Murray, the MTA claimed that it needed a bailout or it would be forced to increase fares and decrease services. After it received the bailout in the form of a payroll tax from businesses, hospitals, schools, and the self-employed the MTA all but eliminated Long Island Rail Road lines east of Ronkonkoma and increased fares, he said.

David Weprin, the only Democratic victor, kept his Queens County seat in the family. Weprin’s brother Mark was elected to the 24th District seat in 1994 after the death of his father Saul Weprin left it vacant. Mark is currently holding the seat David once held on the City Council. “Nobody owns the seat, it’s not the family seat, but it will help me,” David said.

Weprin said his district is a diverse middle-class community that is most concerned with providing a well-rounded education for their children, protecting public safety and keeping in check the rising cost of city living, such as increased property and sales taxes.

He said his district also faces urban overdevelopment. “They’re concerned about the character of their neighborhood changing,” he said, adding that as a city councilman, he focused on down-zoning the area to prevent overdevelopment. He said his constituents are worried about historic homes being demolished to make way for “cookie-cutter” housing and “McMansions.”

Weprin said he knows that when he starts work in Albany, “dealing with budget discussions will dominate the legislative session.” He looks forward to using his political experience and expertise as former City Council Finance Committee chair in the Legislature. “I hope to continue my family history,” he said.

Assembly Republican Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua) today proudly announced that the Assembly Republican Conference has picked up two Assembly seats – the 3rd Assembly District, won by Republican Dean Murray, and the 89th Assembly District, won by Republican Bob Castelli – in yesterday’s special elections. The Assembly GOP also successfully defended its seat in the 15th Assembly District, which had been vacated and was won overwhelmingly by Republican Michael Montesano.

“The political shockwaves that began back on November 3rd when Republican candidates were victorious in local races across New York, and continued with U.S. Senator Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts, were felt again last night as our candidates Dean Murray, Bob Castelli and Michael Montesano were victorious in their Assembly special elections,” Kolb said.

“These victories were not driven by political partisanship but taxpayers who were fed up and frustrated with a broken state government and wanted real change. I am very proud of the positive campaigns our candidates ran and look forward to welcoming them to our Conference so we can further our legislative agenda of creating more private sector jobs, reducing spending, delivering property tax relief and real reform to fix Albany,” Kolb stated.

“Our Republican Assembly Campaign Committee worked in close partnership with Republican County Chairs, local committees and grassroots volunteers to help Dean Murray, Bob Castelli and Michael Montesano emerge victorious Tuesday night. These are terrific victories not only for them but especially for the taxpayers who sent a clear message in these elections,” said Assemblyman Bob Oaks (R,C-Macedon), Chair of the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC).

For further details, follow Assembly Republican Leader Brian Kolb on Twitter and Facebook, or visit RACC’s website at www.bringnyback.com.

Assembly Republican Leader Brian M. Kolb’s (R,I,C-Canandaigua) interview with Capitol Reporter Kaitlyn Ross on the victories of three GOP candidates in yesterday’s special elections on Long Island and in Westchester County will be broadcast TONIGHT at 8:00 p.m. on “Capital Tonight.”

The Assembly Republican Conference picked up two Assembly seats – the 3rd Assembly District won by Republican Dean Murray, and the 89th Assembly District won by Republican Bob Castelli – in yesterday’s special elections. The Assembly GOP also successfully defended its seat in the 15th Assembly District, which was vacated and won overwhelmingly by Republican Michael Montesano.

WHO: Assembly Republican Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua)

WHEN: TONIGHT, Wednesday, February 10, 2010

8:00 p.m.

WHERE: “Capital Tonight”

Capital News 9 (Albany) – 8:00 and 11:30 p.m.

YNN (Buffalo) – 8:00 and 11:30 p.m.

YNN (Rochester) – 8:00 and 11:30 p.m.

News 10 Now (Syracuse) – 8:00 and 11:30 p.m.

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).

Last year, Russell voted for state Budget Bill A.159-B which contained 41 separate license and fee hikes for sportsmen including increases for fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation.

Russell was later caught trying to cover her tracks on her anti-sportsmen’s voting record by distributing a taxpayer-funded mailer urging her constituents to obtain their hunting licenses before fee increase took effect – failing to mention that Russell herself voted for that very increase.

“Democrats and Republicans stood together in solidarity to support sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts but Assemblywoman Russell didn’t bother to stand up for heritage sports maybe when she took direct aim at the North Country’s economy by hiking 41 separate fees and licenses for hunting and fishing,” said Kathleen Hennessey, Spokeswoman for the New York Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC).

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.

Following these reports, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo launched an investigation into Carrozza’s residency issues, while the Daily News called for her resignation. At the time, Carrozza herself said that she was considering retirement, in order to focus on her family and thriving law practice.

Five months later, there are indications that Carrozza, who represents a district in northeastern Queens, will in fact run for a seventh term, and will do so with the backing of the Queens Democratic Party.

“I know she bought a place on Long Island, but she’s also now renting a place in the district [in northeastern Queens]. That sounds to me like someone who is running for re-election,” said Michael Reich, the local party chairman. “We certainly wouldn’t look to undercut her.”

Carrozza did not return numerous requests for comment.

At the same time, rumors are swirling that some within the party would prefer to see Carrozza take a pass on a re-election bid. Already, a number of potential challengers are lining up to take on the scandal-scarred incumbent.

Democrat Steve Behar, who recently finished a distant fourth in a six-person Democratic primary to replace Council Member Tony Avella, said he is strongly considering running for the Assembly seat whether Carrozza stays in the race or not.

Behar, an attorney, is not closely associated with the Queens Democratic Party and would have few qualms about running a primary against an establishment-backed incumbent.

“I’ve been approached by many residents and community leaders about running and I’ll decide one way or the other early next year,” Behar said.

Meanwhile, political insiders on both sides of the aisle believe that if Carrozza does not run, Michael Sais, the chief of staff for Assembly Member Michael Gianaris, is lined up as the county party’s pick to the replace her. Sais has also worked as a lobbyist for the Parkside Group, the consulting firm typically used by Queens Democratic Party candidates.

Reached by phone, Sais declined to comment on his plans, or whether he would consider running a primary against Carrozza.

Also, Matthew Silverstein, president of the New York State Young Democrats, said that if Carrozza chooses not to run for re-election, he will definitely run for the seat.

“I would never primary Ann, but if it’s vacant, I’m in,” he said.

Queens Republicans, meanwhile, are coalescing behind Vincent Tabone, executive vice-president of the Queens Republican Party.

Tabone, an attorney who has worked in both the Giuliani and Bloomberg administrations, said he would also decide whether to run sometime early next year.

“There is a feeling that if Ann-Margaret Carrozza wants to move to Long Island to send her kids to elite private schools, and has the worst attendance record in the Assembly, that it may very well be time for a change,” Tabone said.

Already, Tabone has been asked to run by Sen. Frank Padavan and has privately gotten the support of Michael Neibauer, the Queens executive committee member for the State Independence Party, which could provide Tabone a crucial ballot line in the race.

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb has also been in talks with Tabone about running, though Kolb said the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee has not yet picked a candidate, in part because Tabone has not made a final decision about whether he will enter the race.

“We’d love for him to run,” Kolb said. “We really think a lot of Vince and think he’s a really quality person.”

Before Carrozza’s election in 1996, the northeast Queens Assembly seat had been in Republican hands for the better part of two decades. Padavan’s district overlaps with the Assembly district, as do the recently GOP-won Council districts held by Peter Koo and Dan Halloran.

But Reich, the Queens Democratic Party executive director, argued that many of the more conservative areas of the Assembly district were removed during the last round of redistricting, and maintained that the district is more liberal than it might appear.

Despite some of Carrozza’s problems, such as a 36 percent attendance record in the Assembly last year, Reich said he believes Carrozza would stand a good shot of re-election if she again chooses to run.

“Personal issues kept her from giving 100 percent,” said Reich, “but I would say she’s still been in the high 90s.”

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.

Meanwhile, as Skartados was called back to Albany to clean up this fiscal mess, the assemblyman has been conspicuously silent on advancing any solutions to cut spending. Former Assemblyman Tom Kirwan would never have voted so irresponsibly in the first place, and he certainly would be among the first to offer thoughtful solutions to get the state’s budget back in black.

Assemblyman Skartados is part of a large majority in the Assembly that just doesn’t seem to care how our money is spent.

Next year, mid-Hudson Valley voters should remember that when it comes to how their taxpayer money is spent, they clearly do not have sound representation from Assemblyman Frank Skartados.

Phil Anspach
City of Poughkeepsie

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20091211/OPINION02/912110314/Letters-to-the-editor-12/11