Upstate Now - Senate Majority Plan For Job Growth & Economic Development
Dear Friend:
Gift cards are an extremely popular holiday present for loved ones, friends, and coworkers. However, before you buy a gift card this holiday season, you need to be aware of your rights under New York State gift card laws.
New York State’s gift card laws protect the value of gift cards from being diminished by hidden fees. The laws also require companies to inform consumers if any terms and conditions apply to the gift card, including expiration dates, fees, and whether a replacement card will be issued if the card is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
The Attorney General may impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per offense for companies that break the law, and may order restitution to the consumer. If you believe that a company is violating these laws, you can contact the Attorney General’s Regional Offices at 1-800 771-7755.
Sincerely,
Senator Joe Robach
I am pleased to inform you that Governor Spitzer has abandoned his plan to give licenses to illegal aliens because the people of this state abandoned him and overwhelmingly said he was wrong.
His plan was developed in secret, behind closed doors, and without any input from the Legislature, the experts or the people. When he sprung his plan on a surprised public, it triggered an uprising among average citizens and elected officials at the local, state and federal levels.
The Governor’s plan would have jeopardized public safety and security. Even the federal Department of Homeland Security opposed the idea of giving drivers licenses to illegal aliens. It would have also created a bureaucratic mess for county clerks who refused to endorse or implement his drivers license plan and would have created an expensive licensing program that would have been a new burden on taxpayers who didn't want it in the first place.
However, despite overwhelming opposition from the people, the Governor ignored them and arrogantly moved ahead with his plan until he caused an uprising among his own party. Only when national politics interceded, only then did he choose to back down.
My colleagues and I in the Senate listened to the people of New York State and we were prepared to stop any effort to allow such an ill-conceived and wrong-headed plan to go forward. We made it clear, during two public hearings and our passage of legislation last month, that we will do all we can to stop his plan and prevent any funding for it.
Still persisting in his arrogance, this morning the Governor chose to blame federal immigration policy rather than admit that he was trying to force a bad idea on people who clearly did not want it. He still supports the idea of giving drivers licenses to illegal aliens and he cannot be trusted to fully abandon a plan that he pushed with such passion and arrogance.
I want to let you know that I will continue to act to ensure that he does not resurrect a plan that so many people recognized was bad for New York State.
Sincerely,
Joe Robach
SENATE PASSES BILL TO PROHIBIT DRIVERS LICENSES FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS
The New York State Senate today passed legislation that would stop Governor Spitzer’s plan to issue drivers licenses to illegal aliens by requiring a social security number or proof of authorized presence in the United States to obtain a New York State drivers license or non-driver identification card.
The legislation (S.6484) the Senate passed today is sponsored by Senator Frank Padavan (Queens). It would require applicants for a drivers license or non-driver identification card to submit a social security number. When a social security number cannot be provided, the applicant must demonstrate they are ineligible to get a number and provide satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.
SENATE PASSES BRIDGE REFORM LEGISLATION
Measure Ensures Dedicated Funds for Highway and Bridge Construction and Repair
The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.6516), sponsored by Senator Thomas Libous (R-C-I, Binghamton), Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, to fix the State’s Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund (DHBTF) by directing more funding to bridge and road construction and repair.
The Bridge and Road Investment and Dedicated Fund Guaranteed Enforcement (BRIDGE) Reform Act will amend the State Finance Law to create a five-year phase-out (approximately 20% per year) of non-bridge and road expenses and prohibit these uses thereafter. The BRIDGE Reform Act aims to clean up the Dedicated Fund by removing DOT Snow and Ice Removal expenses totaling $563 million and DMV Operational expenses totaling $199 million so that this money can be used to fix roads and bridges.
“Maintaining the safety and viability of New York’s infrastructure is a critically important investment that needs our attention,” said State Senator Joe Robach. “This legislation will ensure that money dedicated to be used for highway and bridge construction and repairs will not be diverted for other uses -- this will be a true “dedicated” funding source for bridges and highways.”
The New York State Senate today passed legislation that would stop Governor Spitzer’s plan to issue drivers licenses to illegal aliens by requiring a social security number or proof of authorized presence in the United States to obtain a New York State drivers license or non-driver identification card.
The legislation (S.6484) the Senate passed today is sponsored by Senator Frank Padavan (Queens). It would require applicants for a drivers license or non-driver identification card to submit a social security number. When a social security number cannot be provided, the applicant must demonstrate they are ineligible to get a number and provide satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.
SENATE PASSES BRIDGE REFORM LEGISLATION
Measure Ensures Dedicated Funds for Highway and Bridge Construction and Repair
The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.6516), sponsored by Senator Thomas Libous (R-C-I, Binghamton), Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, to fix the State’s Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund (DHBTF) by directing more funding to bridge and road construction and repair.
The Bridge and Road Investment and Dedicated Fund Guaranteed Enforcement (BRIDGE) Reform Act will amend the State Finance Law to create a five-year phase-out (approximately 20% per year) of non-bridge and road expenses and prohibit these uses thereafter. The BRIDGE Reform Act aims to clean up the Dedicated Fund by removing DOT Snow and Ice Removal expenses totaling $563 million and DMV Operational expenses totaling $199 million so that this money can be used to fix roads and bridges.
“Maintaining the safety and viability of New York’s infrastructure is a critically important investment that needs our attention,” said State Senator Joe Robach. “This legislation will ensure that money dedicated to be used for highway and bridge construction and repairs will not be diverted for other uses -- this will be a true “dedicated” funding source for bridges and highways.”
SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
Bill Would Allow Victims to Testify Via Closed-Circuit Television
The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.4875), sponsored by Senator Cathy Young (R-C-I, Olean) that would provide victims of domestic violence greater protection by allowing them to testify in court via closed-circuit television.
Senator Young’s legislation was introduced this April at a Capitol news conference, in observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, where members of the Senate Majority were joined by Mrs. New York State 2007 Lori Donaudy of Smithtown, Long Island. A former victim of domestic abuse, Lori’s platform as Mrs. New York includes raising awareness of domestic violence, supporting victims, and raising funds for Joe Torre’s Safe at Home Foundation.
Over two-thirds of domestic violence crimes against women are committed by someone known to them. Very often, vulnerable witnesses are reluctant to testify about crimes that have been committed against them out of fear. Allowing these witnesses to testify via closed-circuit television may help their willingness to come forward and testify.
LINKS: USEFUL ONLINE RESOURCES
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LINKS:
The White House Homepage
The United States Senate Homepage
The United States House of Representatives Homepage
Department of Homeland Security
THOMAS: US Congress on the Internet
FirstGov: The US Government's Official Web Portal to Citizen Resources
Department of Veterans Affairs
STATE GOVERNMENT LINKS:
NYS Government Information Locator Service
NYS Senate Homepage
Senate Districts By Zip Code
NYS Legislative Bill Drafting (look up bills and laws)
Demographic Research & Reapportionment
New York State Homepage
STATE DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICES:
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
New York State Department of Health
New York State Department of Education
New York State Banking Department
Adelphi Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Center
NYS Thruway Authority's EZ-Pass
New York Council on Problem Gambling
New York State Canal System
LOCAL (MONROE COUNTY & THE GREATER ROCHESTER REGION) LINKS:
Monroe County's Official Homepage
City of Rochester Homepage
Monroe County Library System
Rochester International Jazz Festival
Rochester Area Entertainment and Events Guide
Genesee Country Museum & Village
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Memorial Art Gallery
George Eastman House
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO)
TOWNS AND VILLAGES:
Chili (Town)
Churchville (Village)
East Rochester (Village)
Fairport (Village)
Henrietta (Town)
Honeoye Falls (Village)
Irondequoit (Town)
Mendon (Town)
Penfield (Town)
Perinton (Town)
Pittsford (Town)
Pittsford (Village)
Riga (Town)
Rush (Town)
Scottsville (Village)
Wheatland (Town)
MISCELLANEOUS LINKS:
Albany Web Cam
FindLaw Legal Research
NY State Senate's Women of Distinction Online Exhibit
State and Federal Aid for Local Governments
Eliminating Business Taxes on Manufacturing in
Providing property tax rebates for small businesses that employ fewer than 20 employees. (Under the Senate's plan, a new Small Business STAR program would be established. It would deliver direct rebate checks, averaging $700, to small businesses that pay school taxes and employ less than 20 people. This measure would provide $150 million in property tax relief).
Reducing the Corporate Franchise Tax Rate from 7.1 percent to 6.85 percent (This would provide $35 million in tax relief, growing to $94 million when fully implemented).
Reduce other taxes on small businesses, aviation and marine fuel.
Encouraging the Federal Government to stop taxing New York’s economic development incentives (Currently, federal law requires New York employers to pay federal taxes on the capital and equipment investments that the State makes to lure major employers like Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and IBM. This places
Capitalize on unused investment tax credits to provide investment in upstate.
2. Building and Investing in a 21st Century Infrastructure for the Upstate Economy: Upstate Now calls for hundreds of millions of dollars in targeted investments in upstate’s infrastructure. Projects include establishing high-speed trains in key upstate corridors, expanding our roads, water lines and technology infrastructure to support job growth. The plan will also create commerce and economic growth zones around regional airports to promote location of new businesses.
Specific elements of the plan's second component include:
$300 million in capital to support key economic development and emerging technology projects.
Building high-speed passenger trains to interconnect
Rebuilding roads and bridges with a Highway and Bridge Capital Plan.
Supporting the infrastructure to provide broadband access across the State.
Reviving our water and sewer line infrastructure to support growth.
Investing in the 21st Century Food Laboratory in
Creating new commerce and economic growth zones around regional airports.
3. Making Upstate an International Powerhouse in New and Emerging Technologies: The Senate is advancing new incentives to encourage emerging technology companies that already do research and development in
Specific elements of the plan's third component include:
Attracting major manufacturers with refundable tax credits, such as those that were successfully utilized to secure the AMD investment in the Capital Region.
$100 million for regional partnerships for strategic investments.
Taking advantage of the existing $300 million for regional venture funds to spur new investment and job creation.
Investing in Agribusiness and Agricultural
Promoting and encouraging research produced in
Authorizing a sales tax exemption for businesses in academic incubators.
Providing commercialization assistance grants.
Increasing the Qualified Emerging Technology Company Credit.
Creating Incentives for Bioscience and Nanoscience commercialization.
Supporting new capital investments in Upstate's Outstanding Emerging Technology Centers.
Reconfigure Economic Development zones to address rural needs.
4. Reducing Energy Costs for Employers and Promote Energy
Specific components of the energy package include the following:
Promoting energy independence and clean alternative energy.
Providing Energy Cost Assistance to Small Businesses (This initiative will
provide a $350 million refundable energy tax credit to help 386,000 small businesses).
Providing Solar and Fuel Cell Manufacturer Tax Credits.
Offering Cellulosic Ethanol Production Tax Credit.
Offering Alternative Energy Use Tax Credit.
Eliminating the Petroleum Business Tax on Nonresidential Heating Fuel.
Providing $300 million for investments in clean, renewable energy research and commercialization, including clean coal and bio-fuels.
Extend low-cost power programs, including Power for Jobs.
Reduce property taxes for land used for Biofeedstock Production.
5 . Reducing Health Care Costs for Small Businesses to Insure More Families: The skyrocketing cost of health insurance forces many businesses to face the difficult decision of shifting more of the cost of coverage to employees or dropping coverage entirely. The Senate’s plan would significantly reduce the number of uninsured New Yorkers through a combination of tax advantages, government initiatives and commercial insurance market reforms that would bring health insurance within the means of all small businesses and every New Yorker.
This component of the Upstate Now plan includes the following measures:
Enabling businesses to Purchase Healthy-NY at the unsubsidized cost.
Expanding Healthy-NY for Individuals, from 208 percent to 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
Providing a Tax Credit for Small Business Health Insurance Costs.
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2012 Puerto Rican Parade
July 24, 2012
