PLATFORM

Over the course of my campaign I will be focusing on these issues. You may have read them on other sites and other papers. These issues are not unique but part of the Republican platform and I agree with these issues and what needs to be done in the New York State Assembly.

Reduce Medicaid Spending - Our state leads the nation in Medicaid spending

Per pupil educational spending is among the highest in the nation.

Reduce the property tax burden - We need to reduce the property tax burden placed on homeowners and businesses. This is essential to the growth and success of New York’s economy.

Eliminate gas taxes - We pay the highest gasoline taxes.
We need to eliminate the gas tax saving taxpayers a little more than $.30 per gallon.

Rein in Medicaid costs - reduce property taxes by reining in Medicaid costs.

Attract and retain small businesses and manufacturers - We need incentives to attract and retain small businesses and manufacturers.
We also need to reduce the cost of doing business in the state by cutting business taxes, reducing energy costs and making health care more affordable.

Limit Property Tax Hikes – We need to control property tax increases by preventing school district tax levies from increasing by more than 4 percent annually or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.
I have read that it is estimated that homeowners and businesses would realize approximately $1.5 billion in savings by limiting the growth of the school property tax levy for the 2008-09 school year. Had this tax levy limit been in place in 2006, taxpayers statewide would have saved almost $1.3 billion.

Create the Office of State Inspector General for Education – I agree with Leader Tedisco that New York needs to create an Office of State Inspector General for Education to investigate financial abuse, corruption and misconduct in schools. This new and independent state agency will have broad authority to investigate financial abuses in schools, allegations of corruption or other misconduct within the district.

Reduce Medicaid Costs on Local Governments – This would allow overtaxed and overburdened county governments to return the cost savings in the form of lower property taxes.

Combat Medicaid Fraud, Waste, & Abuse - Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse are estimated to cost New York taxpayers nearly $4.5 billion annually. We need a program that would recover this loss.

Local Government Consolidation - The goal is to reduce local governments’ dependence on property taxes by encouraging the consolidation of services where possible. This would also include health insurance plans.

Health Savings Accounts - to foster the development of Heath Savings Accounts in New York. This would provide a choice for citizens seeking new and innovative ways to manage their health care costs.