State Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, released the following statement today regarding the gridlock in the state Senate:
"This weekend Americans will celebrate Independence Day.
"More than simply a weekend of fun, this is our national celebration of the
ideals our Nation was built upon ... life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness ... as eloquently stated by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of
Independence.
"Just as our forefathers did over 200 years ago, the new coalition
bi-partisan government, established in the New York Senate on June 8th of
this year, is struggling against the oppressive policies that have made New
York State one of the highest taxed states in the Nation.
"The Senate members who joined the coalition have taken a strong stand for
the people of upstate New York. We are fighting for the right to reverse
the tremendous damage done to our citizens and remove the more than 100 new
taxes and fees that were added to this year's New York State budget.
"These taxes are devastating to the Upstate economy, to our families, to
our senior citizens, and to our local businesses. The job-killing taxes
that were pushed through by New York City based Senators, Assemblymen and
Governor Paterson behind closed doors, in total violation of budget reform
laws , included increases in energy taxes, health insurance taxes, income
taxes, property taxes, and SUNY tuition.
"Our disagreements are not over power or who has the largest office as the
media would have you believe ... it is about standing up against the New York
City-driven policies that are forcing both businesses and families to leave
New York State in alarming numbers.
"Our Nation’s unemployment rate now hovers around 10%. In New York the
policies that have been forced upon taxpayers do nothing to create jobs or
even retain the ones we have. They do nothing to stimulate growth and
opportunity.
"Every single day I hear passionate and sincere pleas for help from the
people in my District. Many have lost their jobs, are struggling just to
make ends meet and to provide for their family's basic needs. They are
cutting costs, eliminating everything non-essential and reducing their
spending. Everyone is feeling the effect of the budget, including many
seniors who fear the loss of the STAR rebate program will cause them to
lose their homes.
"Yet despite the worst economic recession in my lifetime, the New York State
budget that was adopted in April, increased spending by $ 13 billion over
last year's budget ... and saddled us with over $8.5 billion in new taxes and
fees. Clearly, if this isn’t changed now, New York State will be the last
state in our Nation to emerge from the national recession. I was strongly
opposed to and voted against this terrible budget. Unfortunately, this
budget passed by the razor thin margin of only one vote. You can read my
comments in opposition to the budget by clicking here to visit my website.
You can also review a dramatic map of New York State which demonstrates the
concentration of Senators from the New York City area and how this voting
block affects Upstate New York.
"I am committed to doing everything I can to reverse the effects of this
budget and return common sense to our state government.
"Our effort is also about regaining the public's trust and confidence in
their state government. I believe this is a cause worth fighting for. The
situation in Albany may appear chaotic, and at times it is, but contrary to
what is being reported, I have been working in the State Senate each and
every day, doing the work you sent me there to do, representing the
interests of my constituents.
"This Independence Day has special added meaning for me. We will be
conducting legislative session and negotiations in Albany throughout the
weekend, and it is my hope our efforts will forge new polices for our
state, and put New York back on the right track again.
"It is my hope you and your loved ones have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of
July weekend, as we share our collective gratitude for the tremendous
liberty and freedom we enjoy as Americans."
"More than simply a weekend of fun, this is our national celebration of the
ideals our Nation was built upon ... life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness ... as eloquently stated by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of
Independence.
"Just as our forefathers did over 200 years ago, the new coalition
bi-partisan government, established in the New York Senate on June 8th of
this year, is struggling against the oppressive policies that have made New
York State one of the highest taxed states in the Nation.
"The Senate members who joined the coalition have taken a strong stand for
the people of upstate New York. We are fighting for the right to reverse
the tremendous damage done to our citizens and remove the more than 100 new
taxes and fees that were added to this year's New York State budget.
"These taxes are devastating to the Upstate economy, to our families, to
our senior citizens, and to our local businesses. The job-killing taxes
that were pushed through by New York City based Senators, Assemblymen and
Governor Paterson behind closed doors, in total violation of budget reform
laws , included increases in energy taxes, health insurance taxes, income
taxes, property taxes, and SUNY tuition.
"Our disagreements are not over power or who has the largest office as the
media would have you believe ... it is about standing up against the New York
City-driven policies that are forcing both businesses and families to leave
New York State in alarming numbers.
"Our Nation’s unemployment rate now hovers around 10%. In New York the
policies that have been forced upon taxpayers do nothing to create jobs or
even retain the ones we have. They do nothing to stimulate growth and
opportunity.
"Every single day I hear passionate and sincere pleas for help from the
people in my District. Many have lost their jobs, are struggling just to
make ends meet and to provide for their family's basic needs. They are
cutting costs, eliminating everything non-essential and reducing their
spending. Everyone is feeling the effect of the budget, including many
seniors who fear the loss of the STAR rebate program will cause them to
lose their homes.
"Yet despite the worst economic recession in my lifetime, the New York State
budget that was adopted in April, increased spending by $ 13 billion over
last year's budget ... and saddled us with over $8.5 billion in new taxes and
fees. Clearly, if this isn’t changed now, New York State will be the last
state in our Nation to emerge from the national recession. I was strongly
opposed to and voted against this terrible budget. Unfortunately, this
budget passed by the razor thin margin of only one vote. You can read my
comments in opposition to the budget by clicking here to visit my website.
You can also review a dramatic map of New York State which demonstrates the
concentration of Senators from the New York City area and how this voting
block affects Upstate New York.
"I am committed to doing everything I can to reverse the effects of this
budget and return common sense to our state government.
"Our effort is also about regaining the public's trust and confidence in
their state government. I believe this is a cause worth fighting for. The
situation in Albany may appear chaotic, and at times it is, but contrary to
what is being reported, I have been working in the State Senate each and
every day, doing the work you sent me there to do, representing the
interests of my constituents.
"This Independence Day has special added meaning for me. We will be
conducting legislative session and negotiations in Albany throughout the
weekend, and it is my hope our efforts will forge new polices for our
state, and put New York back on the right track again.
"It is my hope you and your loved ones have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of
July weekend, as we share our collective gratitude for the tremendous
liberty and freedom we enjoy as Americans."
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bill balyszak wrote on Jul 3, 2009 3:45 PM:
And don't forget a thing called 'self interest.'
It doesn't matter which party is in power because they're all corrupt. It's just a matter of degree.
But first we need to start with a clean slate. Vote everyone OUT - be they a Republican or Democrat - who is a Senator or an Assemblyman!
We need a revised Constitution - via a constitutional convention - and term limits and elimination of ALL campaign contributions by everyone. (Rotsa ruck on this last item)
And I beleive Guy Cosentino summerized it best when he wrote that "New York is long overdue for an overhaul of its legislative and governmental systems — systems that need voters to have the power of initiative, referendum and re-call, that puts term limits on those in power, so that Albany can be infused with new blood and hopefully new ideas, on an ongoing basis."
This NY Senate has made NY State the laughing stock of America.
Congratulations Senator Nozzolio, et al. "
tired/nozzolio wrote on Jul 3, 2009 2:23 PM: