Larkin Reacts To State Of The State Message

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) said that the 2006 State of the State Message issued today by Governor George E. Pataki was an optimistic statement in the goals we share as New Yorkers as well as a clear agenda for what we need to do as a state to meet the challenges ahead.

"I was particularly pleased to hear the Governor speak of his vision of new high-tech opportunities," said Senator Larkin. "These kinds of initiatives can be particularly beneficial to the Hudson Valley. It was also vitally important that the Governor spoke about the need to further protect our children from violent sexual predators. It is time, once and for all, that we create the toughest laws in the nation to deal with these most vicious criminals."

As a member of the Senate Republican Majority, Larkin said he would strongly support many of the proposals outlined in Governor Pataki's State of the State message including:

* Preventing the release of sexually violent predators.

* Creating more financial opportunities for New York’s servicemen and women when they return from active duty.

* Further developing plans for New York State as a leader in the global economy.

* Implementing additional tax cuts for working families and their employers.

* Eliminating the marriage penalty.

* Providing a $500 heating fuel tax credit for seniors.

* Initiating two new enhancements to the STAR property tax relief program.

* Creating more math and science high schools.

* Creating the Empire Innovation program to attract top notch researchers.

* Implementing the bio-tech research challenge grant program to improve healthcare.

* Developing efficient hybrid vehicles that run on renewable bio-fuels.

Larkin added, "Last year, we were successful in passing the first on-time budget in twenty-one years. While we await the Governor’s budget in less than two weeks, we must look ahead and recognize that there is no reason we cannot accomplish this task again this year. I am excited about the prospects this new year can bring and look forward to the tremendous achievements I know we can make."