My View

William J. Larkin Jr.

November 3, 2005

MY VIEW

Dear Editor:

As New Yorkers head to the polls on November 8th, voters will have the opportunity to vote on two important Propositions.

Proposition 1 is the Budget Reform measure. As you know, this year New York State had an on-time budget for the first time in 21 years. Proposition 1 is on the ballot as a result of these consistently late state budgets. It would vastly improve the budget process and put an end to late state budgets that create financial hardships for schools, hospitals, localities and hard working taxpayers who, for years, have been left to guess how much state aid they would receive when the budget is late. In addition, Proposition 1 would restore the balance of power between the Governor and Legislature and bring it more into line with most other states. I believe the passage of Proposition 1 is needed to help bring about a more efficient and dependable budget process in New York State.

Proposition 2 is the Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act of 2005. This $2.9 billion Bond Act will make an important investment in our State's critical transportation infrastructure, creating an estimated 120,000 jobs in the process. If the Bond Act is approved by voters, it will provide more than $180 million for projects in the Hudson Valley region. Projects in Orange and Ulster County include:

$40 million of the $81.5 million necessary to complete Phase II of the State Route 17 at Exit 122 interchange reconstruction project in the Town of Wallkill.

Replacement of State Route 17 bridges over Black Meadow Creek and West Avenue in the Town of Chester

Replacement of the State Route 17 bridge over the Orange County Heritage Trail in the Town of Goshen

Replacement of the County Route 105 bridge over State Route 17 with a 3 lane structure in the Town of Monroe

Reconstruction of one mile of State Route 9W from Marie Road to State Route 44/55 in the Town of Lloyd

By investing wisely now in our critical transportation infrastructure, we will be able to increase the safety of our roads, bridges, highways, and mass transit systems. Therefore, I urge my constituents to vote yes on Proposition 1, Budget Reform Constitutional Amendments, and Proposition 2, Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act of 2005, on November 8, 2005.

Sincerely,

Senator Bill Larkin
39th Senate District

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