Senator Morahan Lists Priorities For Rest Of 2007 Legislative Session

State investments to encourage economic development and job creation, along with providing additional tax relief, are the State Senate’s top priorities for the remainder of the 2007 legislative session, saidSenator Thomas P. Morahan, Senate Majority Liaison to the Executive Branch.

"We need to make capital investments to support economic development projects that create jobs. We need more tax relief to make New York more competitive. And we need to reconsider some of the taxes that could force thousands of jobs in the financial sector to leave the state,"said Morahan.

Senator Morahan also said he wants to revisit some of the Governor’s "loophole closures" that would place a big tax hit on the financial services industry and jeopardize thousands of jobs. The Senate will also propose more property tax relief for senior citizens.

"In addition to capital investments and tax relief, we will look at providing businesses relief from high energy costs, as well as addressing Wicks’ reform, lawsuit reform and other issues that can help strengthen our economy," Morahan said. "We also need to follow up on the property tax rebate program included in the State budget to ensure that senior citizens get additional tax relief."

Priority issues for the rest of the 2007 Legislative session include:

> Upstate Investments and Jobs -- The recently enacted State budget did not include funds for important capital investments. Much of the positive results we get, especially Upstate, come from a partnership between private business and State government. The State contributes to the capital investment needed for new businesses and jobs and we have to reach an agreement on those investments.

> Small Business Assistance -- The Senate pushed for $1.3 billion in tax relief and assistance to businesses, especially small businesses that create most of the new jobs. The budget included $150 million in corporate and manufacturing tax relief. That’s a good start, but we have to do more.

> Energy Costs -- The Senate budget included an energy tax credit to help small businesses afford the rising costs of energy. It was not included in the budget, but we will pursue this issue. We also need to address the Power for Jobs program, that provides low-cost power for business, that is due to expire this year.

> Health Insurance for Small Business -- The Senate will pursue measures to help small businesses afford the high cost of health insurance coverage for their employees, including tax reforms and health insurance savings incentives.

> Tort Reform -- Studies have shown that the lawsuit industry costs New Yorkers $14 billion each year, or almost $800 per person, and adds hundreds of millions of dollars every year to the property tax burden, because of runaway lawsuits against municipalities. They also drive up costs for businesses and make New York’s economy less competitive. We need to make sensible reforms to the system to get it under control.

> Wick’s Law Reform

-- The Senate supports reform of the Wick’s Law, whether it’s making changes to the threshold or other reforms that can reduce costs of construction.

> Seniors Property Tax Relief

-- Senior citizens received enhanced property tax rebate checks under the program included in the 2006-07 State budget. While the tax rebate program in the 2007-08 doubled the size of rebate checks for the average homeowner, it did not increase the size of rebate checks for seniors. The Senate will fight to address this inequity to provide more property tax relief to senior homeowners.

> Judicial Pay Raises --

The Senate supports the plan submitted by Judge Kaye earlier this year to give judges an immediate pay raise and establish a commission to study the salaries of judges and legislators in the future.

> Tuition Tax Credits --

The Senate proposed a plan to help make college more affordable for families, including expanding the Tuition Assistance Program, increasing the maximum deductible for tuition expenses and increasing the tuition tax credit.

> Granny’s Law -- The Senate passed a bill to make it a violent felony offense to attack someone 70 years or older. The Assembly must also pass this bill to protect vulnerable senior citizens.

> Sex Offenders -- Currently, Level 2 and Level 3 (the most dangerous) sex offenders are posted on the Internet. The Senate will act to add Level 1 sex offenders to further protect our communities. The Senate will also propose to expand the state’s DNA databank to provide an even better tool for law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute criminals.

> Death Penalty Fix - The Senate will continue its efforts to put New York’s death penalty statute back on the books by passing legislation that addresses concerns raised by the Courts in overturning the death penalty.

> Racing Franchise

-- Thoroughbred horse racing is an important part of the state’s economy and we need to make the right choice on what organization will run the state’s racing franchise in the future.

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