27 days and counting – even less by the time this weekly legislative column is published – until New York’s April 1 fiscal deadline when the 2010-11 State Budget is due. With that looming deadline fast approaching, I believe that all 212 legislators and Governor David Paterson need to get back to work on the budget and focus on deliberations, not distractions.

The “distractions” I refer to are the allegations recently lodged against the Governor and a member of his staff. While that matter is investigated and certain politicians in Albany pontificate on every latest twist and turn, New York’s budget deadline moves another day closer without any substantive progress. The reality is that we live in the age of an inescapable 24/7 media cycle that places a premium on conflict and controversy over substance and real solutions. As such, the allegations concerning the Governor, along with the ensuing media firestorm, have made achieving any tangible progress on the 2010-11 State Budget extremely difficult, if not impossible.

However, despite the backdrop, I believe that taxpayers want us to get back to work on the primary responsibility for all 212 legislators and the Governor alike: passing the State’s Budget and doing so by New York’s April 1 fiscal deadline. That is what the people deserve, what they should expect and what we must deliver. What we cannot do is go back to the bad old days, when New York’s budget was routinely late – during one embarrassing stretch, it was late for 20 consecutive years – or decided in virtual secrecy the way last year’s bad budget was.

In an effort to jumpstart budget deliberations and achieve a fiscally responsible, on time spending plan, on Thursday I announced our Assembly Republican Conference’s appointments to the Joint Budget Conference Committee. As required under the Budget Reform Act of 2007, the Legislature is directed to utilize Conference Committees among the Assembly and Senate to organize budgetary deliberations, set priorities and reach timely agreement on a state spending plan. In the past, Conference Committees have been used to great effect to move public budget negotiations forward and break the cycle of three-men-in-a-room that was previously utilized to decide the state’s budget.

My goal was to help move the budget process forward and refocus legislators and the media on what truly matters: adopting a timely fiscal blueprint that will help New York navigate the perfect financial storm. Our conferees will advocate for a fiscally responsible budget that supports private sector job creation, delivers real tax relief and reduces government spending.

These are our priorities and what we believe the State Budget should reflect. With only 27 days remaining before the budget is due, and a projected two-year budget deficit of $9.05 billion needing closure, we cannot afford to waste a single day. At a public Legislative Leaders’ meeting on Wednesday, I reminded the Governor and my colleagues that last fall, our Conference had offered a series of budgetary savings proposals and stood ready to work in a non-partisan fashion for a budget that meets our economic challenges and puts New Yorkers back to work. I will continue to keep you updated on any new developments on the budget front.

CAYUGA COUNTY TOWN HALL MEETINGS NEXT SATURDAY

So far, my 2010 Town Hall Meetings have been a huge success, as every community forum was well attended and featured great questions from local taxpayers who asked about the 2010-11 State Budget, how we can fix our economy and grow the private sector. Next Saturday, March 13, I will bring my 2010 Town Hall Meetings to Cayuga County, stopping in Moravia, Auburn and Montezuma. Specific times and locations for our upcoming Town Hall Meetings across Cayuga County are listed below – if you have a free moment, stop by and say hello!

CAYUGA COUNTY TOWN HALL MEETINGS: SATURDAY, MARCH 13

10:00 – 10:45 am, at Powers Library, 29 Church Street, Moravia
11:15 am – Noon, at the Owasco Town Hall, 2 Bristol Avenue, Auburn
12:30 – 1:15 pm, at the Montezuma Town Hall, 52 Dock Street, Montezuma

As always, constituents wishing to discuss this topic, or any other state-related matter, should contact my district office at (315) 781-2030, or e-mail me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and informational updates regarding state government and our Assembly Republican Conference.

ALBANY, NY – With just 28 days remaining until New York’s April 1 fiscal deadline when the 2010-11 State Budget is due, Assembly Republican Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua) today said all 212 legislators and Governor David Paterson “need to focus on deliberations, not distractions.” Kolb announced the Assembly Republican Conference’s appointees to the Joint Budget Conference Committee, saying it was part of an effort to try and jump start budget deliberations and achieve a fiscally responsible, on time spending plan despite the media firestorm and controversies surrounding the Governor that have become a major distraction for media and policy makers alike.

As specified under the Budget Reform Act of 2007, the Legislature is required to utilize a Conference Committee process between the Assembly and Senate to organize budgetary deliberations, set priorities and facilitate timely agreement on a state spending plan. In the past, Conference Committees have been used to move public budget negotiations forward and break the cycle of three-men-in-a-room that had previously been utilized to decide the state’s budget.

“There is no question that the controversies and allegations concerning Governor Paterson, along with the media firestorm, has made achieving progress on the 2010-11 State Budget extremely difficult, if not impossible, as it has consumed the time and attention of legislators and the press,” Kolb said.

“However, despite the allegations, taxpayers want us to get back to work and focus on the primary responsibility for all 212 legislators and the Governor alike: passing the State’s Budget and doing so by New York’s April 1 fiscal deadline. That is what the people expect and that is what we must deliver. What we cannot do is go back to the bad old days when New York’s budget was routinely late or decided in virtual secrecy the way last year’s was,” Kolb stated.

“I announced our Conference’s appointments to the Joint Budget Conference Committee to help move the budget process forward and refocus legislators and the media on what truly matters: adopting a timely fiscal blueprint that will help New York navigate the perfect financial storm. Our conferees will advocate for a fiscally responsible budget that supports private sector job creation, delivers real tax relief and reduces government spending. These are our priorities and what we believe the budget should reflect – with only 28 days remaining before the budget is due, we cannot afford to waste any more time,” Kolb concluded.

Editor’s Note: Attached with this press release is a copy of the Assembly Republican Conference’s appointments to the Budget Conference Committee.
-30-
Assembly Republican Conference
Budget Committee Appointments
Fiscal Year 2010-2011

General Conference Hon. Brian Kolb
Alternate: Hon. Jim Hayes

Education Hon. Joel Miller
Alternate: Hon. Jim Conte

Health Hon. James Bacalles
Alternate: Hon. Robert Oaks

Higher Education Hon. Jack Quinn
Alternate: Hon. Dierdre Scozzafava

Human Services Hon. Joseph Errigo
Alternate: Hon. Lou Tobacco

General Government/ Hon. Annie Rabbitt
Local Assistance Alternate: Hon. Marc Molinaro

Mental Hygiene Hon. Thomas McKevitt
Alternate: Hon. Nancy Calhoun

Public Protection/ Hon. David Townsend
Criminal Justice/Judiciary Alternate: Hon. Phil Boyle

Economic Development Hon. Marc Butler
Alternate: Hon. George Amedore

Transportation Hon. David McDonough
Alternate: Hon. Bill Reilich

Ag/Environmental/Housing Hon. Cliff Crouch
Alternate: Hon. Teresa Sayward

By THOMAS ADAMS

Gov. David Paterson on Friday announced he will not run for a full four-year term.

“Today I am announcing that I am ending my campaign for governor of the state of New York,” Paterson said during a mid-afternoon news conference.

”It has become increasingly clear to me in the last few days that I cannot run for office and try to manage the state’s business at the same time. And right now, New York State needs a leader to devote full-time to this service.”

Several media outlets had reported Friday morning Paterson would cease his campaign in the wake of news this week a chief aide was involved in domestic violence against the aide’s girlfriend.

Paterson said his decision to end his campaign was not based on any single event, but rather a series of events.

Paterson has suspended the aide and has asked Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to investigate.

“Gov. Paterson’s expected announcement today that he will not stand for election was the right thing to do,” said Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua and minority leader of the state Assembly, in a statement prior to Paterson’s announcement.

“I and many other legislators in both houses, from both parties, have serious concerns about the allegations and how they have made it nearly impossible for the people’s business to move forward.”

http://www.rbj.net/article.asp?aID=183101

“Like so many New Yorkers, I have been deeply concerned about the shocking and serious criminal allegations pending against Governor Paterson’s staffer David Johnson. Charges of physical violence perpetrated against women must be investigated with the utmost seriousness and, if proven true, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Governor Paterson’s expected announcement today that he will not stand for election was the right thing to do. I and many other legislators in both houses, from both parties, have serious concerns about the allegations and how they have made it nearly impossible for the people’s business to move forward. We are fast approaching our state’s April 1 fiscal deadline when the budget is due. We need to get back to business and work toward passing an on time, fiscally responsible budget. New York State cannot afford any more of these distractions.”

Syracuse, NY – Gov. David Paterson’s plan to delay New Yorkers’ income tax refunds is unlikely to materialize, according to state legislators from both parties who oppose the idea.

Senate and Assembly Republicans and Democrats — as well as taxpayers — have come out in droves against Paterson’s proposal to delay by a few weeks $700 million in tax refunds. The state is facing a $1.4 billion budget gap that needs to be closed by April, and Paterson says the delays are necessary to ensure the state doesn’t go bankrupt.

But lawmakers concede they can’t stop Paterson.

“We have a lot of tough choices to make in order to solve New York state’s budget problems, but we should not engage in gimmicks…that will not solve our long-term problems,” said Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse.

“Taxpayers who played by the rules and did the right thing should not be penalized because state government failed to manage its finances and cash flow,” said Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua.

Legislators from both sides of the aisle in both houses have introduced bills that would require the state to provide tax refunds within 30 days of a taxpayer filing a return. If there’s a discrepancy in the return, the state would have 30 days to notify the taxpayer in writing or pay 6 percent interest on the refund owed.

“The long and short of this is that it’s simply not the state’s money,” said Sen. Darrel Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent.

Several Senate Republicans, including DeFrancisco and Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, have launched online petitions to try to pressure the governor into changing his mind. Tuesday, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution asking the governor to abandon his plan.

Ultimately, it will be up to Paterson to decide what action the state will take.

“He can do it unilaterally — the executive has the prerogative,” said Assemblyman Al Stirpe, D-North Syracuse. “However, if we do pass Legislation saying (the state) has to pay interest, he may back off it. He’s backed down from other ideas before.”

Delen Goldberg can be reached at dgoldberg@syracuse.com or 470-2274.

The forecast – driven by various national and state economic indicators – took into account not only New York’s poor economy, but also Governor Paterson’s 2010-11 Executive Budget. With all these factors accounted for, the Assembly Republican Ways and Means Committee forecasted a two-year General Fund budget deficit of $9.05 billion, compared to the Governor’s forecasted budget deficit of $8.2 billion. Furthermore, the Assembly Republicans’ forecasted that while an economic recovery has already begun for the United States, New York will not see a substantial economic resurgence until the middle of 2010.

In developing the forecast, the Assembly GOP Ways and Means Committee utilized the Washington University Macro Model of the United States economy, developed and maintained by Macroeconomic Advisers, LLC, and reports on the U.S. economy, also prepared by Macroeconomic Advisers. The Committee utilized New York State economic data and forecasts from Economy.com to supplement the Committee’s in-house model of the state’s economy.

As mandated by New York State Finance Law, if the Legislative Leaders and Governor Paterson cannot reach a consensus on available state revenues by March 1, the State Comptroller would then be required to issue a binding revenue forecast by March 5.

“As our forecast projects, New York’s fiscal outlook has gone from bad to worse. This should not come as a surprise: last year our entire Assembly Republican Conference voted against the 2009-10 State Budget because it contained too much spending, too many taxes and not nearly enough reform. That bad budget set the stage for this latest growth of the state’s budget deficit,” Kolb said.

“The answer to New York’s fiscal crisis and growing budget shortfall is not raising taxes or delaying taxpayer refunds. The answer is shrinking the size of state government by reducing spending – not controlling, but actually reducing it,” Kolb stated.

A visit to the Editorial Board last week by E.J. McMahon of the Empire Center for New York State Policy was a grim reminder that much needs reforming in the way the state operates, from too-generous union contracts to Medicaid payments.

Yet little legislative dialogue has taken place so far. The governor’s budget and program plans need robust vetting and debate. Lawmakers shouldn’t wait till right before the budget deadline of April 1 to start talking. This year, especially, budget hearings need to be held early and in public.

While Democrats control both the Assembly and Senate, they seem incapable of working with the governor to get meaningful legislation passed. Case in point, an ethics bill. It often appears that the governor isn’t even a part of the same Democratic Party, let alone a former leader in the state Senate. Compromise is in order.

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb of Canandaigua told the Editorial Board last week that he is willing to work with anyone in any party to affect change. He said he has bipartisan support in both the Assembly and Senate for his effort to get a vote on constitutional convention legislation.

Democrats should note that there’s compelling evidence, too, that the Republicans are making headway with voters. Just last week, Republicans picked up two more Assembly seats in special elections.

Don’t forget that last November, two prominent county executives who were Democrats lost their jobs to Republicans. Kolb predicts more wins for Republicans come November.

As for the Legislature’s shortcomings, Kolb blames entrenched leadership as part of the problem; he’s proposed term limits.

While Democrats give lip service to the idea that voters are fed up, their collective inaction says otherwise.

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.

According to the Internal Revenue Service’s official website, right around this time in 2009, it had already received approximately 56 million individual tax returns, which constituted a moderate increase over the previous year. Many media outlets are already reporting that, largely due to the prolonged recession, more people than ever will be filing, or have filed, their taxes early in the hopes of getting a refund sooner and avoiding the inevitable last minute rush in the lead up to April 15.

If you are one of the millions of New Yorkers who has already filed their taxes in anticipation of getting a timely state refund, get ready for some potentially frustrating news. You might be waiting awhile for that check because Governor David Paterson is actually considering a delay in sending out taxpayer refunds due to the state’s ongoing cash crunch.

Yes, you read that correctly. Your state government is actually contemplating a policy where it would hang onto your money longer than necessary because it has been unwilling and unable to get its financial house in order.

Have you had enough yet?

THE “NICKEL AND DIMING” OF NEW YORKERS

State government’s inexplicable decision to even entertain the ridiculous notion of withholding taxpayer refunds – also known as your money – will only cause more financial pain to individuals and small businesses who were counting on getting their money back. It is the latest infuriating case of what I call the perpetual “nickel and diming” of New Yorkers and it needs to stop.

Over the past few weeks, I have told you all about the over $1 billion in new taxes, fees and surcharges within the Governor’s 2010-11 Executive Budget. This would be $1 billion on top of the $8.2 billion in taxes and fees imposed by last year’s budget. I also wrote about how the Governor’s current spending plan would cost the typical New York family of four more than $1,800 annually through higher taxes on everything from soda and sports drinks to health care.

Now, piled on top of all these crushing costs, is state government’s consideration of a plan to delay rightful tax refunds, money that belongs to taxpayers in the first place!

STATE GOVERNMENT MUST STOP PENALIZING NEW YORKERS WHO DO THE RIGHT THING

People who submitted their tax returns in advance should have a reasonable expectation of receiving a timely refund. However, instead of getting your money back, state government is hatching a scheme to hold onto it until April – and possibly longer. Taxpayers who played by the rules should not be penalized because for decades state government failed to manage its finances and cash flow. Bottom line? State government has to stop penalizing New Yorkers who do the right thing.

Governor Paterson needs to put an immediate stop to any consideration of such an absurd public policy and ensure New York taxpayers do not have to wait to get their money back.

TELL GOVERNOR PATERSON: DON’T DELAY OUR REFUNDS!

Folks, a tax refund is your money, plain and simple. State government should not be allowed to simply sit on it for months because it is unable to make tough decisions and balance the budget. I don’t want you to get mad – I want you to give those in state government responsible for considering this absurdity a piece of your mind!

Accordingly, if you already filed your taxes and are expecting a refund, contact Governor David Paterson and let him know it’s your money – not state government’s – and that you want it back. Below is a web address and phone number so you can express your concerns directly. If you think contacting state government is a waste of time, think again – your phone calls and e-mails have a profound impact on the policy process. I have said it before and I will say it again: when the people speak loudly, Albany listens closely.

HOW TO CONTACT GOVERNOR PATERSON

1.) Go to www.state.ny.us/governor
2.) On the left side is a section titled “Contact the Governor” – click that
3.) This will take you to a page where you can submit your concerns directly via e-mail
4.) You can also call the Governor at (518) 474-8390

As always, constituents wishing to discuss this topic, or any other state-related matter, should contact my district office at (315) 781-2030, or e-mail me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and informational updates regarding state government and our Assembly Republican Conference.

Ordinary citizens who are currently unelected to any public office may hold the keys to making state government run better, according to five Republican members of the Assembly who are pushing for “A People’s Convention to Reform New York Act.”

To that end, they shared details of the legislation with about 200 local residents who came Thursday night to the auditorium of Union Pleasant Avenue Elementary School in Hamburg.

“Let the people decide — that’s all of us — and decide in November whether they want to have a convention or not to try to change their state government,” said Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb of Canandaigua. Joining him were Assemblywoman Jane L. Corwin of Clarence and Assemblymen Jack F. Quinn III of Hamburg, Joseph M. Giglio of Gowanda and Stephen M. Hawley of Batavia.

Kolb and the other lawmakers described state government as broken and unresponsive to taxpayers. He said the idea for a people’s convention enjoys bipartisan support.

“Former Democratic Gov. Mario Cuomo has penned an op-ed piece this year saying that we should have a constitutional convention. Republican [former New York City Mayor Rudy] Giuliani has done the same thing, and there [are] more and more people who are taking public positions that are outside state government,” Kolb said.

According to proponents, if the measure is approved by voters in the state, citizens would be allowed to run to serve as delegates to the convention, which would be made up 201 citizens — three delegates each from 62 state senatorial districts and a total of 15 delegates elected statewide.

“Once the convention is convened, those delegates cannot be interferred with,” Kolb said. “They decide the process, procedures, how they’re going to vote. It’s all decided by the citizen delegates that go to this convention. So they really run their own show once they get there.”

While those in the audience were generally supportive, some expressed skepticism about whether such a convention would represent the will of regular citizens. Allen Coniglio, a local Tea Party coordinator from Amherst, said his organization has already been at work on a similar effort.

“We the people … want to be involved in this. We don’t want anyone to take this from us, because you’ve taken too much from us,” Coniglio said. “It’s gotten out of hand. … We don’t like what the government is doing. … The government of this country has caused the people … to become so sickened at what is going on.”

Kolb said lawmakers who support the bill are seeking only to establish guidelines for who may run as delegates. If approved by state voters, he said, the convention would cost no more than about $15 million.

“And people say, “Can we afford that?’ Well, I say on a $132 billion budget we can find $15 million to try to reform state government,” Kolb said, “and I could give you 100 ideas on where to get that $15 million. … So it won’t cost you one penny more in taxes.”

hmcneil@buffnews.com

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/962114.html