Budget focuses on new taxes
Reported in the Times Union
State negotiators cast wide net of increases to give education, health care aid a boost
ALBANY -- State budget negotiators on Friday talked privately of raising taxes on cigarettes, insurers and bankers as lawmakers started working out ways to add hundreds of millions of dollars to education and health care spending.
The quick fix is to implement a higher tax to generate money for the state. But that is exactly all it is…a quick fix. Real reform will only evolve when we can take a moment to stop and reevaluate the cycle we have created. We need to go back to Economics 101. Ultimately, what needs to happen is to lessen the tax burden, cut spending, and this in turn will generate more money. When people are confident that they have more money, they are more comfortable spending it. We then find ourselves in a completely different cycle. It is basic economics…you don’t spend money you don’t have.
How can the government raise spending by 4.7% but not raise taxes? By doing exactly what the Times Union reported… raise credit card taxes, banking fees, tax on insurance policies which will pass the tax to the policyholders through premium payments. This only hurts the hard working middle class.
Capital News 9 reported that they have been told the budget comes with cuts to some very sensitive funds including homeless shelters, low-income childcare, and medication grants for the mentally ill.
New York State government is going to cut funding to these very needy organizations and programs, yet, we are giving corporations like AMD $1.2 Billion in tax credits and incentives to possibly build a factory in Malta. Where are our priorities? We keep pounding our fists saying we need to help the poor, children, and seniors but we continue to cut their funding.
We need to stop spending money we don’t have and serious cuts need to be made. The legislatures’ belts need to be tightened, and New York citizens should hold accountable those who continue to spend without regard to fiscal responsibility.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Keep Young Professionals in New York
Calling all young professionals. The Capital Region needs you.
That's the message of a marketing campaign launched Wednesday by two chambers of commerce and backed by Albany International Airport and many of the area's colleges and universities.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=673557&category=BUSINESS&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=3/20/2008
The problem here is; if New York continues to tax its residents and businesses where is the incentive to stay in New York and plant roots and raise a family. Young people are leaving because they have seen their parents struggle in New York for years and believe there is probably not a future for them here. With high utilities, high gas taxes, high property taxes and no end in sight with regards to state spending they would be foolish to stay in New York.
What we need to do is put a cap on spending which will ultimately reduce spending and lower taxes. This would allow people to save more and spend more which in turn would generate more revenue for the state.
When elected I would propose legislation that would put a cap on spending until had control over what were spending New York’s citizens’ hard-earned income on. Then let New Yorker’s decide what to spend their money on.
That's the message of a marketing campaign launched Wednesday by two chambers of commerce and backed by Albany International Airport and many of the area's colleges and universities.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=673557&category=BUSINESS&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=3/20/2008
The problem here is; if New York continues to tax its residents and businesses where is the incentive to stay in New York and plant roots and raise a family. Young people are leaving because they have seen their parents struggle in New York for years and believe there is probably not a future for them here. With high utilities, high gas taxes, high property taxes and no end in sight with regards to state spending they would be foolish to stay in New York.
What we need to do is put a cap on spending which will ultimately reduce spending and lower taxes. This would allow people to save more and spend more which in turn would generate more revenue for the state.
When elected I would propose legislation that would put a cap on spending until had control over what were spending New York’s citizens’ hard-earned income on. Then let New Yorker’s decide what to spend their money on.
STRICTER PENALTIES FOR SEX OFFENDERS
We need stricter penalties for sex offenders, especially the violent offenders. A 2-5 year confinement for a Level 3 offender isn’t sufficient. At Level 3, these are people who are viewed to offend again. My children can’t ride their bikes alone in the neighborhood we live in. Why? Because Watchdog.com and other websites like this enlightened me that we have sexual predators living right here in our community. I understand we can’t set up separate villages for offenders to live in, but I also don’t think 2-5 years of imprisonment will make them productive members of our society either. Our judges need more to work with…the laws need to be tougher, harsher, the punishment more strict.
A message needs to be sent that there are VERY REAL CONSEQUENCES for these VERY REAL CRIMES. At the very minimum for Level 2 and Level 3 sex predators there should be a MANDATORY MINIMUM of prison time. We need harsher penalties for those in position of power and trust over our children. Along with NEVER having contact or involvement with any children.
My question is: Why are we so concerned with the well-being and the rights of people who had absolutely zero regard for the well-being of our society’s most precious commodity…our children?
A message needs to be sent that there are VERY REAL CONSEQUENCES for these VERY REAL CRIMES. At the very minimum for Level 2 and Level 3 sex predators there should be a MANDATORY MINIMUM of prison time. We need harsher penalties for those in position of power and trust over our children. Along with NEVER having contact or involvement with any children.
My question is: Why are we so concerned with the well-being and the rights of people who had absolutely zero regard for the well-being of our society’s most precious commodity…our children?
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Senate proposes restrictions on state spending
"A proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would limit the growth of New York’s budget was passed last Wednesday by the Senate.The Senate Republican majority’s spending cap plan would prohibit a governor from submitting a budget that would increase spending by more than either 4 percent of the previous year’s budget or 120 percent of the consumer price index, whichever is less. And the cap would affect not only the governor’s Executive Budget proposal, but would hold the Legislature to the same spending restrictions in the creation of a final budget."
http://www.legislativegazette.com/read_more.php?story=2916
This is exactly what New York needs. A cap on spending and eventually reduce spending and lower taxes. This would allow individuals and small business to keep more of their hard-earned money. If New York can stop overtaxing the small business owners, more money could then be spent on benefits, such as health insurance or retirement plans. The quick fix is to implement a higher tax to generate money for the state. But that is exactly all it is…a quick fix. Real reform will only evolve when we can take a moment to stop and reevaluate the cycle we have created. We need to go back to Economics 101. Ultimately, what needs to happen is to lessen the tax burden, cut spending, and this in turn will generate more money. When people are confident that they have more money, they are more comfortable spending it. We then find ourselves in a completely different cycle. It is basic economics…you don’t spend money you don’t have.
http://www.legislativegazette.com/read_more.php?story=2916
This is exactly what New York needs. A cap on spending and eventually reduce spending and lower taxes. This would allow individuals and small business to keep more of their hard-earned money. If New York can stop overtaxing the small business owners, more money could then be spent on benefits, such as health insurance or retirement plans. The quick fix is to implement a higher tax to generate money for the state. But that is exactly all it is…a quick fix. Real reform will only evolve when we can take a moment to stop and reevaluate the cycle we have created. We need to go back to Economics 101. Ultimately, what needs to happen is to lessen the tax burden, cut spending, and this in turn will generate more money. When people are confident that they have more money, they are more comfortable spending it. We then find ourselves in a completely different cycle. It is basic economics…you don’t spend money you don’t have.
Obama tells vets no to a lower drinking age
Obama tells vets no lower drinking age -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY
I sympathize with the military because I too am a veteran. I firmly believe that if you are old enough to defend and die for our country then you should be able to have a beer. Instead of lowering the drinking age to 18 for all citizens, how about just allowing those who serve our country (military, police, and firefighters) and have ID that shows they serve, let them have a drink. If you put your life on the line everyday to protect others, this country should not deny them a drink at 18. Granted everyone has to and should drink responsibly, but why should someone who is old enough to die in battle, fire, or patrolling the streets be denied a drink. When elected, I would propose a bill that would allow those serving our country in uniform the ability to have a drink with the proper ID at 18. It may sound discriminatory, but if you put your life on the line you should be able to drink (responsibly).
I sympathize with the military because I too am a veteran. I firmly believe that if you are old enough to defend and die for our country then you should be able to have a beer. Instead of lowering the drinking age to 18 for all citizens, how about just allowing those who serve our country (military, police, and firefighters) and have ID that shows they serve, let them have a drink. If you put your life on the line everyday to protect others, this country should not deny them a drink at 18. Granted everyone has to and should drink responsibly, but why should someone who is old enough to die in battle, fire, or patrolling the streets be denied a drink. When elected, I would propose a bill that would allow those serving our country in uniform the ability to have a drink with the proper ID at 18. It may sound discriminatory, but if you put your life on the line you should be able to drink (responsibly).
Friday, March 14, 2008
Congratulations to the 2008 Clifton Park Republican Committee Chairman's Award Recepients
Congratulations to Assembly Minority Leader, James Tedisco and Saratoga County Clerk, Kathy Marchione for receiving the 2008 Clifton Park Republican Committee Chairman's Award. An additional congratulations to Neil Weiner and Hugh Burke for receiving the Clifton Park GOP Volunteer Awards.
It was exciting to see such a large turnout in supporting these leaders within our community. With all that has transpired this past week, it was a pleasure to be a part of a unification of core Republican values and ideals. More than once, we were reminded of the strength and dedication it takes to do the right thing, as was the case of coming out against the proposal of issuing driver licenses to illegal aliens. The right choices and decisions are not always the easy ones and both Kathy Marchione and James Tedisco are fine examples of how we must lead by example, fight for what is right, and to never forget that we must speak for those who need a voice. I was very proud this evening to be in the company of so many people who share the same ideals as me. The awards were well deserved. Congratulations again!
It was exciting to see such a large turnout in supporting these leaders within our community. With all that has transpired this past week, it was a pleasure to be a part of a unification of core Republican values and ideals. More than once, we were reminded of the strength and dedication it takes to do the right thing, as was the case of coming out against the proposal of issuing driver licenses to illegal aliens. The right choices and decisions are not always the easy ones and both Kathy Marchione and James Tedisco are fine examples of how we must lead by example, fight for what is right, and to never forget that we must speak for those who need a voice. I was very proud this evening to be in the company of so many people who share the same ideals as me. The awards were well deserved. Congratulations again!
March 14, 2008
Welcome to my blog. The purpose of this blog is to act as a medium for you to get to know me and my platform. My goal is to maintain daily entries addressing current local and national issues. My intentions is that through the course of the entries you will have a better understanding of the issues that I am passionate about. Often times the entry may be a reaction to a news article, a legislative issue, or simply a basic opinion of what is on my mind. I invite any questions, comments, or concerns.
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