Stachowski Reacts to State of the State Message
January 6, 2010
STACHOWSKI REACTS TO STATE OF THE STATE MESSAGE
Senator William T. Stachowski (D-C, Lake View) said that he
anticipates a fresh start to this new legislative session upon viewing the
2010 State of the State Message issued today by Governor David Paterson.
“This was a difficult year with an historic budget deficit that
created complex problems for our state,” said Senator Stachowski. “While
we are still dealing with these very serious challenges, I was pleased to
hear the Governor’s proposals on budget and ethics reform. A budget
deficit of the magnitude we just faced and could be facing again this year
affects every New Yorker. It is only through structural changes to the
budget and conscientious and realistic cuts that the state can get its
fiscal footing back.
“New Yorkers’ priorities are simple: they want more jobs, lower
taxes, and a government that keeps our state affordable. It will be our
responsibility to put the taxpayers’ needs above all else. As Chairman of
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business,
my own focus will be to bring more jobs to New York, and especially to
Western New York, control spending, and pass property tax relief for our
struggling families. By changing the way the budget is proposed,
negotiated, and implemented we can ultimately bring this relief to our
hardworking families.
“I was pleased that the Governor spoke about affordable housing in
Buffalo. Truly, we are facing a vacant housing crisis in our city that
needs urgently to be addressed. I was also pleased to hear the Governor
speak about the manufacturing industry and the Small Business Task Force of
which I am a member, in addition to the Power For Jobs Program and the
Excelsior Jobs Program as a replacement for the current Empire Zones
Program. As a strong supporter of these initiatives, I look forward to
working with the Governor in reshaping this program to best serve the
business community. I was encouraged that the Governor mentioned the
importance of research and development in our public and private
universities. This is exactly what my U.B. 2020 economic growth plan would
do in terms of saving taxpayers money and keeping us competitive with other
state systems and public research universities, and I welcome the
Governor’s support in this effort for the University of Buffalo.
While I believe Governor Paterson recognizes the special needs of
upstate New York, I had hoped there would have been more in-depth
discussion of reducing homeowners’ property taxes. This is upstate’s
number one priority and will continue to be one of my main goals this
year. Providing homeowners with more relief from skyrocketing property
taxes is the most important thing we can do. I am encouraged about the
prospects this new year can bring and look forward to the tremendous
achievements I know we can make.”
