Sen. Aubertine Outlines Goals For Upcoming Session

The state’s budget gap, property taxes, home heating costs and home rule bills top the list

WATERTOWN (August 6, 2008)—State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine (D-Cape Vincent) today outlined his goals for the state Senate’s upcoming legislative session on Friday and the "emergency economic session" called by Gov. Paterson for Aug. 19.

"It is important we go down there and address several major concerns for New Yorkers, especially all of us here in Central and Northern New York," Sen. Aubertine said. "The governor has outlined a huge budget gap that the Legislature must help close, but we also have an opportunity to act finally on property tax relief and the looming crisis of home heating costs."

The Senator said the Legislature should follow the governor's lead in finding areas to trim the budget. He said the comptroller should be brought into discussions to see where cuts can be made with minimal impact on services and state workers. However, he added that school funding, which reached record levels in the 48th Senate District this year, and other aid to municipalities should remain untouched, as cuts here will only result in property tax increases at the local level.

"We have to cut our spending, but also keep our eye on the long term so that this kind of fiscal crisis can be avoided in the future," Sen. Aubertine said. "We need to encourage efficiencies at all levels, with cooperation and consolidation among state agencies and inside state government, not just among our towns, villages, cities, counties and school districts."

At the special session this Friday, property tax reform will be the Senate’s top priority. Sen. Aubertine has joined several colleagues to cosponsor a comprehensive bill that would not only install a property tax cap on school district levies, but also rein in unfunded mandates and bring immediate relief through a circuit breaker.

"If you ask me or just about anyone else across this state if we want a property tax cap, the answer is yes," Sen. Aubertine said. "School tax bills are too high and it's hurting the ability of many families to make ends meet. The cap is needed, but it is not enough. An increase is still an increase. We need a circuit breaker that caps what we have to pay in property taxes."

The Senator said that for many New Yorkers, the issue that may have the most immediate impact is the rising cost of heating homes this winter. The Senator is working with colleagues on a plan that will provide relief this winter through increased LIHEAP aid and improved energy efficiency.

"To offer immediate help to pay the bill, we must urge our colleagues at the federal level to come through with more funding for LIHEAP this year, but the real solutions are long term," Sen. Aubertine said. "By making our homes more energy efficient, we can save money on our individual bills and several states already have successful programs to pay for those costs that we can use as a model. We must also continue to position Central and Northern New York as a center for green jobs, producing energy and environmentally sustainable products. This will not only play a part in driving fuel costs down through marketplace competition, but also create good jobs here."

The Senator added that he will also continue pushing for several pieces of home rule legislation that the Senate Majority has to this point blocked for political reasons.

"The people of Watertown, Parish and Granby should not be made to suffer for the majority’s political gain," Sen. Aubertine said. "I will continue to make the case for these bills until they are adopted."