Murphy comments on start of the 2016 legislative session

ALBANY, NY - State Senator Terrence Murphy is heading into the second year of his freshman term in the New York State Senate. Senator Murphy has emerged as a leading voice within the freshman class, having made numerous headlines last year by passing several pieces of historic legislation through both houses of the legislature which were signed by Governor Cuomo. He returned to Albany this week and issued a statement on his plans for the upcoming legislative session.

As we begin the 239th legislative session in New York I am more excited and focused than ever. New York still trails in most economic categories and we must focus considerable time on job creation.

As a small business owner, I believe this starts by repealing the miles of red tape created by un-elected bureaucrats that have gone unchecked. I have sponsored and passed several pieces of legislation that would recalibrate our regulatory process and I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to see them become law.

Next, we must fund our schools. Last year we delivered a significant increase in education aid to public schools across New York but our work is far from done.  I echo the call of our local school superintendents and declare that the Gap Elimination Adjustment must end so we can put vital dollars back in our classrooms.  I will not vote for any budget that fails to eliminate the GEA.

Our war on addiction is ongoing and I will be continuing hosting conversations throughout the state as the Co-Chairman of the Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Abuse.  We must continue to expand treatment options for those struggling with addiction, provide assistance to law enforcement and first responders and continue to have the necessary dialogue with the medical community to raise awareness of this epidemic.

Finally, and possibly most importantly, the legislature must regain the trust of the people we have been elected to serve. I firmly believe this begins with passing pension forfeiture legislation, which I proudly supported last year and which I am subject to as a new member of the legislature.  Term limits, which the Senate imposes on itself through its internal rules, also needs to be taken up by both houses of the legislature and I will continue to champion these initiatives.

This will be an exciting year and I echo the words of Cardinal Dolan, who addressed our opening session today, that wisdom is a virtue we all must rely on.

Senator Murphy serves as chairman of the New York State Administrative Regulations Review Commission and co-chairman of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Abuse. He was also appointed to the insurance committee at the start of this year's session.