TEXT: Lawmakers, officials, groups respond to State of State speech

Below are press releases and statements sent from state lawmakers, officials and advocacy groups in response to the Governor's State of the State speech today (in order they were received):

STATEMENT FROM STATE COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI on  GOVERNOR PATERSON'S STATE of the STATE ADDRESS

In the past, governors would inspire us with their State of the State addresses, and then deliver more somber news in their budget proposals.

This year, we've already heard the bad news.  Last month, the Governor presented us with his budget plan.  He has struggled to present a balanced budget in the face of an unprecedented financial crisis.  

The Governor's budget has more than enough pain to go around.  No one said this would be easy. When you're dealing with a $15 billion budget gap, there's obviously going to be a lot of painful choices.  

Today we heard Governor Paterson's hopes and aspirations for New York.  But we also heard his challenge.  That challenge is to all of us in government and to every New Yorker.  The challenge is to use this time of crisis as a moment of opportunity to create a better New York at the end of this rough road.

Governor Paterson's State of the State address is a call to action.  Every New Yorker should heed that call.

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State of the State Response Delivered by Senate Republican Leader Dean G. Skelos

Hello, I'm Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos.

In his State of the State message, Governor David Paterson outlined the very serious financial challenge facing our state.

I appreciate the Governor's leadership during these difficult times.

He has had to make some very tough choices and I look forward to working with him on a budget that is fiscally responsible, yet still responsive to the needs of 19 million New Yorkers.

As the financial capital of the world, no state has been impacted more by the global economic recession than New York.

As a result of this economic downturn, we have a state budget deficit of historic proportions.

The Governor has proposed a budget that would impact everything from the education of our children to the availability of health care for our families to the taxes New Yorkers must pay.

To close the budget deficit, we have to do everything possible to bring state spending under control, stop wasteful spending and prevent abuse of tax dollars.

We need to help business grow and create jobs to generate more revenues for state and local governments.

And we need to continue to work with our representatives in Washington, and our new President Barack Obama, to ensure that New York gets its fair share of federal stimulus aid to help us meet our commitments for health care, transportation and education.

At a time when so many New Yorkers are worried about their financial future, tax increases should be the absolute last resort, not the first.

That's why Republicans in the State Senate have stood strong in our opposition to increasing taxes or making cuts that would force increases in local property taxes.

When I became Senate leader last June, I set out short and long term goals.

In the short term, I said we had to provide property tax relief and help businesses create new jobs.

In the long term, I said we must reform the way the State Senate operates.

I immediately called the Senate back for a special session to approve the Governor's property tax cap plan to bring property taxes under control and as a first step towards actually reducing them.

Unfortunately, the Assembly never acted on the property tax cap legislation. 2009 local tax bills are in homeowners' mail boxes now - and they are still going up. I urge the Assembly to act on a property tax cap this year.

In addition to property tax relief, I said we had to put an economic development plan in place to help create new jobs and keep jobs from leaving New York.

The Senate approved a plan that would redirect state funds into tax breaks targeted to small businesses, manufacturers and emerging technology businesses that employ millions of New Yorkers and could create even more jobs if their tax burden was smaller.

An economic development plan that gives New Yorkers more job security, financial security and retirement security must be part of the next state budget.

The Senate will continue to push for property tax relief and job creation in the 2009 session and I hope the Assembly will join us.

In order to meet the challenges of a balanced budget, tax relief and job creation we need to make dysfunction a thing of the past and usher in a new era of bipartisanship and reform.

Many people have blamed Albany's dysfunction on the power of three men in a room - I think the solution lies in uniting 62 men and women in the Senate Chamber.

Simply put, we need to do things differently than in the past.

I have always worked closely with Democrats, Republicans, Independents and others - to find common ground and get results.

The State Senate needs to operate and function in the best interests of the people, not political parties - because this is the time that people need it the most.

We need to set aside party labels, job titles and conference divisions and work together as one coalition for a common cause.

We need to give Senators equal resources to run their Albany and district offices and represent their constituents.

We must provide Chairs of Senate Committees more authority and independence to move bills out of committee and bring them before the Senate for action.

We must give individual Senators more ability to bring legislation to the floor for a vote.

These reforms will make our house more effective by closing old divisions and opening new avenues to get results.

They will promote openness and accountability and give individual Senators more freedom and ability to do the jobs they were elected to do.

The State Senate has 62 bright and talented individuals from every part of the state who are committed to representing the best interests of their constituents.

It is my hope that along with the Assembly, Democrats and Republicans, and our Governor, we can work together to address our budget problems and move our state forward to a better and brighter tomorrow.

New Yorkers have overcome great challenges in the past and I am confident that we will do it again.

It is a new year, a new era and a new way of leading our state back to prosperity.

Thank you and God bless you.

*****

STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER JAMES TEDISCO (R,C,I-SCHENECTADY-SARATOGA)

"In delivering his first State of the State Address today, Governor Paterson touched on many of the challenges facing New York as we navigate an economic recession, a $15 billion budget deficit, and our homeowners endure the highest property taxes in the nation.

The question is: will the Governor's actions in the coming days match the lofty rhetoric we heard today?

The Governor's speech was, regrettably, short on many of the specifics New Yorkers want to hear about fixing our economy and providing meaningful property tax relief. Now, more than ever, we need action, not words. In this sense, the Governor's speech was a missed opportunity.

Let me be crystal clear: I am rooting for this Governor to succeed. All New Yorkers are hoping he succeeds. The stakes are too high for 'politics as usual.' Politics as usual is what got us in this mess.

We must invest in the economy so our best and brightest can stay right here.

We must cut job-killing taxes to create more jobs. We must get back on the path of fiscal discipline by controlling spending and  limiting the size, scope and reach of State government. We need to reduce the crushing burden on our homeowners - who pay the highest property taxes in the nation - by enacting a real property tax cap this session.

What we do not need - what New York cannot afford - is even more taxing, spending and borrowing. Unfortunately, contained within the Governor's 2009-10 Executive Budget were 137 tax and fee hikes. The Governor's 137 tax and fee hikes - on everything from non-diet soda to digital music downloads - would cost the average New York family $3,875.48 annually and is tantamount to declaring war on our state's overtaxed middle class families. 

I will work with Governor Paterson to achieve a State Budget that is balanced, responsible and meets the needs of New Yorkers - without raising taxes and fees.

This will require us - Republicans and Democrats alike - to roll up our sleeves and forge bi-partisan solutions that put New Yorkers back to work - and get our state back on track. There is much hard work ahead, but families have demanded, and deserve, change in how Albany does business."

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Statement from Ron Deutsch, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, on State of the State Message

Shared Sacrifice or Spared Sacrifice?  A Message of Contradiction

We applaud the Governor for urging the federal government to deliver federal fiscal stimulus package by the end of this month.  We think the federal stimulus will significantly reduce the need for many of the cuts to vital state programs that the Governor has proposed in his budget.  

We are concerned however, about the contradictions between the Governor's wish list in his speech and the actions in his budget proposal.  The Governor wants more New Yorkers to go to college but increases tuition at state universities, makes TAP harder to get for working parents, and cuts aid to community colleges making it harder for many to access higher education.  He wants to increase the quality of education yet significantly cuts funding for schools this year and next.  He wants more New Yorkers to have access to healthcare but cuts funding to hospitals, nursing homes and home visiting programs.  He wants to create jobs but the massive cuts he has proposed will simply put more New Yorkers out of work.  He is simply ignoring macro-economic principles.

Recently, over 100 Economists from around the state urged the Governor to adopt a balanced approach to closing the state deficit.  They suggest that an income tax increase on the wealthiest would be less harmful to the state's economy then massive cuts to state spending.  They posit that we need to keep as much money in the local economy as possible in order to effectively get out of this recession and close the budget gap (http://www.fiscalpolicy.org/FPI_Release_EconomistsOnFiscalPolicy_December2008.pdf).   In March of 2008, Joseph Stiglitz, the Chair of the Governor's Panel of Economic Advisors ( and 2001 Nobel Prize Winning Economist) stated the same message as the economist mentioned above (http://www.fiscalpolicy.org/StiglitzLetter_TaxesVsCuts_March2008.pdf). They are not alone!  Poll after poll clearly indicates that the public overwhelmingly supports restoring progressivity to the Personal Income Tax by increasing the top tax rates on the wealthy.

A comprehensive solution means that all New Yorkers need to help solve this problem and that the wealthiest among us have an even greater obligation to contribute.  While the Governor talks about shared sacrifice he seems to be practicing spared sacrifice. The governor says that he fears that wealthy New Yorkers will leave the state if we increase income taxes on the rich. It did not happen in 2003 and will not happen in 2009.  We believe what will drive people out of NYS is a reduction in the quality of life for many working families in NYS that could be avoided by asking the wealthiest to pay their fair share of taxes.

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ACOG FOCUSES ON GOVERNOR'S AGENDA TO STRENGTHEN WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE 

Issues Statement on the State of the State Address

January 7, 2009

To the People of New York State:

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, District II/NY (ACOG) commends New York State Governor David Paterson for his commitment to health care, as indicated in today's State of the State address. 

ACOG has long maintained that health coverage should be accessible and affordable to everyone.  The governor's proposal, which would allow young adults as old as 29 to receive health insurance coverage under their parents' policies, is a step in the right direction.  This measure, should it be passed by the Legislature, would allow for young women to receive affordable contraceptive coverage and take prudent measures to ensure that they undergo routine cervical cytology screening, helping to prevent the spread of HPV and decrease the rate of cervical cancer.  The governor's proposal is aimed at coverage for approximately 800,000 uninsured young adults.  It is predicted that nearly 80,000 young adults would enroll in their parents' insurance plan in the first year alone.

ACOG is hopeful that such a proposal could eventually lead to universal access to maternity care for all New York women - one of ACOG's top three legislative recommendations for 2009.  Uninsured pregnant women receive fewer prenatal care services than their insured counterparts and are more likely to experience an adverse maternal outcome.

ACOG's other legislative goals for 2009 include:

Patient Safety, Quality Improvement & Risk Management:  ACOG District II/NY is committed to improving obstetric quality and safety through the promotion of a statewide culture of safety.  Strategies to increase patient safety, reduce adverse outcomes and limit medical liability exposure for New York State obstetric providers are essential to improving the health of women across New York.

Reproductive Health Care & Choice:  ACOG District II/NY continues to affirm the legal right of all women to obtain a safe and legal abortion and supports initiatives to assure that quality health care is available to meet every woman's needs throughout her life and assure a full array of clinical services are available without costly delays or the imposition of geographic, financial, attitudinal or legal barriers.

However, while we are pleased that the governor has chosen to address these very important issues today and preserve funding for our Safe Motherhood Initiative, cervical cancer and emergency contraception in his executive budget proposal delivered last month, we cannot neglect our commitment to strive for true medical liability reform. There is no question that the current medical liability system in New York State is jeopardizing access to quality health care for women.  Our specialty continues to realize that a combination of higher office expenses, including medical liability insurance, and stagnant reimbursement rates reduces the ability of physicians to provide uncompensated care.  We hope that the governor and Legislature realize this as well in 2009.

The ACOG District II/NY 2009 Legislative Program can be found at www.acogny.org.  ACOG remains the leading advocate for accessible and affordable women's health care and is committed to public policies that promote high-quality care that is responsive to women's unique needs.  Our leadership looks forward to working closely with the Paterson administration to ensure that the women of New York State continue receiving the very best care that medicine has to offer.  

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Statement by CITIZEN ACTION OF NEW YORK
State of the State Fails to Promote Real Shared Sacrifice

Citizen Action of New York said today that Governor David Paterson's State-of-the-State address acknowledged the pain many New Yorkers are facing in the economic crisis, but failed the test of leadership by not proposing a tax increase on the wealthiest New Yorkers.  Such a tax would reduce cuts to education, health care and other critical services New Yorkers depend on.

 "Low and middle income New Yorkers are reeling from national and state policies that have led to mortgage foreclosures, job losses, and health care premium increases, said Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York.  "Governor Paterson says we all should share the pain, but his solution will make the problems worse by cutting education, aid to cities and other critical programs."

"We support the Governor's call today for President-Elect Obama and the Congress to pass a federal economic stimulus package to help the states, but this shouldn't substitute for state action to stimulate New York's economy.  The President-elect has made clear that in tough economic times, the best thing for families is for government to invest in education, health care and jobs.  We urge the Governor and the Legislature to show the same kind of leadership by asking the wealthy who benefited from the last economic boom to contribute, rather than balancing the budget on the backs of schoolchildren, urban residents and others who depend on state services," said Scharff.

Scharff said that numerous cuts proposed by the Governor in his budget, including to pre-K through grade 12 education aid, aid for community colleges, public library funding, and revenue sharing will have serious detrimental effects on the most vulnerable New Yorkers and impede the state's ability to recover from the recession.  She called for passage of Fair Share Tax Reform, which would increase taxes on those making over $250,000 per year.

"It is clearly unfair that nurses supporting a family making $40,000 per year pay the same tax rate as law firm partners making $4,000,000 per year," said Scharff. "We need to restore basic fairness to the tax code, while making sure that the most critical services New Yorkers depend on are protected."  

"No one can deny the budget deficit is real.  However, the underlying problem is not increased spending on education and health care, but tax policies of the last two decades that have reduced the share of taxes contributed by the wealthy, and provided loopholes to allow large corporations to avoid their fair share of taxes," added Scharff. "The issue is whether we should address the deficit by asking the wealthiest New Yorkers to contribute a little bit more, or make cuts that have a disproportionate impact on the poor, communities of color and the middle class." 

"We strongly support the Governor's call for Rockefeller Drug reform that can reduce inequity in our criminal system, and also save the state money," said Scharff.

Citizen Action of New York is a statewide organization that organizes for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice; it maintains a new web page designed to involve the public in the fight for a fair budget: www.fightthecuts.org.  The Fair Share Tax Reform proposal is outlined on this web page.  Citizen Action is urging its supporters to contact the Legislature to pass Fair Share Tax Reform.

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RESPONSE BY NATIONAL GRID

National Grid applauds and supports Gov. David A. Paterson's commitment to have New York meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through energy efficiency and clean renewable energy by 2015, and the other energy initiatives outlined in his State of the State address today. 

"Governor Paterson's position on significant increases in energy efficiency, renewables and technology investment comes at a critical time, sets the standard for the similar upcoming debate in Washington, and moves New York to a leadership role on the future of energy in the United States," said Tom King, president of National Grid in the U.S. "His targets are bold, but achievable, and the investment in renewable generation, new transmission, and above all, energy efficiency, will change the way we make and use energy. Because National Grid delivers energy in New York from Niagara Falls to Long Island, we understand our vital role in making Gov. Paterson's plan a success. We look forward to working in partnership with state policymakers and regulators to meet these crucial challenges."

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

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STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER JAMES TEDISCO (R,C,I-SCHENECTADY-SARATOGA)
REGARDING PROPERTY TAX CAP

"As the most vocal, outspoken and consistent supporters of a real property tax cap, our Assembly Republican Conference and I were genuinely pleased that Governor Paterson called for enactment of a tax cap during his State of the State Address.

If the Governor is truly serious about achieving this goal, he will include a tax cap as part of the 30-day amendments to his 2009-10 Executive Budget. The Governor has been talking about a property tax cap since spring. We don't need more talk, studies, commissions, or reports.

We need action, and we need it now.

Our Conference has already introduced legislation - the 'New York State Property Taxpayer Protection Act' - that would implement a real property tax cap and give homeowners some much-needed relief. It was our hope that the Governor would include a tax cap in his Executive Budget, as we had previously encouraged him to do. 

Submission of his 30-day amendments provides yet another golden opportunity for this Governor to show he means what he says about getting a real tax cap in place. Millions of New York's overtaxed middle class homeowners hope he will follow through. Talk is cheap. Property taxes - and any further delay in enacting a tax cap - are costly."

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THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY RESPONDS

For Immediate Release:  January 7, 2009
Contact:  Dan Levitan, (718)  222 3796 x237

The Working Families Party today released the following statement on Governor Paterson's State of the State address. It can be attributed to Dan Cantor, Working Families Party Executive Director:

"Governor's Paterson's call for shared sacrifice in tough economic times is heartening.

"Working families across New York are facing the triple threat of a deep recession, painful cuts to programs they rely on, and nuisance taxes that will raise their cost of living.

"True shared sacrifice must mean asking the wealthy New Yorkers who have seen massive tax cuts to contribute a little more.  Fair Share Tax Reform is enormously popular, will help balance the budget, and according to hundreds of our leading economists, it is the best way to revive the state's economy.

With the Governor's leadership, we can find a fair solution to the fiscal crisis, but only by asking all parts of society to pitch in."

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Statement from Assemblyman Tony Jordan in Response to the "State of the State" Address

Today, Governor Paterson acknowledged the depth of the state's fiscal crisis and outlined the issues central to restoring our economy. While I applaud the governor for his forthrightness, I staunchly disagree with the 137 new taxes and fees he introduced in his Executive Budget that would cost the average family almost $4,000. The proposed new taxes and fees would take away any benefits of a property tax cap for New York families.

We cannot strengthen our economy by introducing more job-killing taxes or balance the budget on the backs of middle-class families. Years of financial mismanagement has led to $55 billion in state debt and a current deficit of $15 billion. It's clear business as usual is no longer acceptable.

That's why I will look forward to working with members from both sides of the aisle this session to stand up to special interests and cut wasteful spending, so we can provide the tax relief necessary to strengthen our economy and restore quality of life. This crisis demands we make some difficult decisions and I look forward to taking on that challenge and serving the residents of the 112^th District.

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American Heart Association Applauds  Governor Paterson's War on Obesity

Legislation Would Help New Yorkers and their Children Make Healthier Choices

The American Heart Association today commended Gov. David Paterson for his leadership in proposing a number of public policy changes in his state of the state address to combat the state's obesity epidemic.  Specifically, the American Heart Association lauded the Governor's intention to introduce legislation to establish school nutritional guidelines to ensure that children have healthier snacks and beverages in schools.

"We applaud Governor Paterson for his commitment to the health of New Yorkers and recognizing that the severity of the state's childhood obesity epidemic," said Michael Weamer, executive vice president of the Founders Affiliate of the American Heart Association. "High levels of obesity are leading to signs of heart disease at much younger ages; most alarmingly in our children."

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation developed science based guidelines for school beverages and snacks.  The American Heart Association strongly encouraged the adoption of these guidelines by New York State when developing nutritional standards for school foods.

In addition to legislation to establish school nutritional guidelines, the American Heart Association supports the following obesity prevention initiatives announced by the Governor today:

- Calorie labeling legislation.  The Governor announced he would introduce legislation to require chain restaurants to post calorie content on menu and menu boards.  Westchester County and New York City already have menu labeling laws, and in New York City, fast food customers who saw calorie information purchased 52 fewer calories than those who didn't see the information. Consuming 100 fewer calories per day would go a long way toward reducing the obesity epidemic, and this puts consumers halfway to that number.

- Trans Fat Ban Legislation.  The American Heart Association supports efforts to ban the use of artificial trans fat and recommends that legislation ensure that healthier alternatives are substituted.

 "One-third of New York state's children are overweight or obese while two-thirds of adults are," said Mr. Weamer.  "With the number of meals people eat outside the home reaching an all-time high, simple measures such as providing consumers with calorie information, and eliminating trans fats, will go a long way in helping consumers make healthier choices. 

The American Heart Association looks forward to working with the Governor and First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson to achieve enactment of these measures which will help improve the cardiovascular health of New Yorkers.

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STATEMENT BY HANYS' PRESIDENT DANIEL SISTO ON GOVERNOR PATERSON'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

"Governor Paterson's State of the State Address made the right diagnosis of the health care system's problems, but he has ordered the wrong prescriptions to treat them.

"From a practical standpoint, it is impossible to reconcile the Governor's stated health care priorities with the health care portion of his 2009-2010 Executive Budget proposal.  His budget would eviscerate health care services funding, making all of the health care goals he established even harder to attain than they are today.

"Health care services have already been cut twice this fiscal year by more than $1 billion. The Governor's 2009-2010 budget plan would cut health services by another $5 billion over the next two years.

"How, then, will a funding-starved health system tackle childhood obesity?  How will we fund the primary care physicians and services necessary to improve preventive care while at the same time protect core hospital services like emergency room care, birthing centers, surgery, and inpatient care? How will nursing homes and home health care providers continue to serve vulnerable populations?

"How will we have the resources and staff necessary to meet the demands associated with the Governor's own laudable efforts to provide health insurance to more New Yorkers?

"How will we meet the demand of thousands of new Medicaid beneficiaries and uninsured individuals who are the victims of the economic meltdown?

"All these questions remain unresolved, and no speech, however well intended and crafted, will provide the answers.

"These are the issues we will take to the Legislature as the new session begins."

The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) is the only statewide hospital and continuing care association in New York State, representing more than 550 non-profit and public hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, and other health care organizations.

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Improving Access to Healthy Food in Northern Manhattan: Governor Paterson Announces Healthy Food/Health Communities Initiative

Governor Paterson's new Healthy Food/Healthy Communities Initiative, announced today in the State of the State, demonstrates his leadership and commitment to ensuring that families and children in low-income communities and communities of color will have access to healthy food. The Initiative will improve access to healthy food through a $10 million loan program for supermarkets to locate in underserved communities like Northern Manhattan. 

Research indicates that communities of color and low income have less access to supermarkets and other retail outlets for fresh fruits and vegetables than do more affluent and white communities. One study found that middle- and upper-income communities in Los Angeles County have twice as many supermarkets per capita as do low-income communities. The study also found that predominantly white communities have three times the number of supermarkets that predominantly black communities have.  

While most studies look at food access citywide, WE ACT has conducted research specifically in Northern Manhattan. This research shows many parents of school children do the majority of their fruit and vegetable shopping at supermarkets. "Access to healthy food through supermarkets is a key solution to helping prevent obesity and diabetes in our community," said WE ACT's Deputy Dir., Cecil Corbin-Mark.  Research echoes this claim, as an article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concluded that increased availability of supermarkets was associated with lower adolescent body mass index.

According to the New York City Health Department, Harlem has an obesity rate over three times that of the Upper East Side.  "Without access to healthy food through supermarkets the health of our community suffers," said Ms. Emma Jackson, a resident of Taft Houses in East Harlem.

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REMARKS  BY SPEAKER SILVER REGARDING GOVERNOR'S STATE-OF-THE-STATE ADDRESS

STATE CAPITOL
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2009

Good afternoon and Happy New Year.

First, let me congratulate my friend and colleague, Senator Malcolm Smith, on his historic election as Majority Leader of the Senate.

Although there has been a lot of speculation, let me state for the record that I have great  confidence in Senator Smith's ability to lead as the first Democratic Majority Leader of the State Senate since 1964.

Speaking for my colleagues in the Assembly Majority, I look forward to working with him and with the Senate Majority to address the serious challenges before our State and to usher in a new era of cooperation between the houses of this Legislature.

As for the State of the State Address, I - and my Assembly Majority colleagues - wholeheartedly congratulate the Governor on what was a sobering yet uplifting message to the People.

Like the Governor, we, too, are eagerly awaiting the inauguration of the new president.

It is important, however, that we acknowledge the history that was made in the People's House of the Legislature just a short time ago.

On this first day of this 232^nd Session of the New York State Legislature, New York State's first African American governor delivered his first State of the State Address.

The Governor's speech was a truly momentous occasion and I am proud, as Speaker of the Assembly, to have been on the rostrum with him and with Majority Leader Smith.

Given the events of 2008, surely, one cannot help but be impressed by the leadership the Governor has displayed in the face of an economic calamity unparalleled in our lifetimes.

The Members of the Legislature and our staffs have been working - and continue to work - tirelessly on our analysis of the Governor's budget presentation and its impact on all of the segments that comprise New York State's population.

Poised as we are to commence with the legislative hearings on the Governor's proposal, there is no escaping the stark reality that balancing the budget will require tough cuts, tough choices, and tough sacrifices.

As I told you following the Governor's budget presentation, my Assembly colleagues and I are anxious to work with the Governor and with our colleagues in the Senate to address this challenging economy head on.

As we work to pass a fair, balanced and on-time budget, we will ensure that the burden of addressing the current crisis does not fall disproportionately on to the backs of New York's working families, but there is no way to sugar coat the situation. 

Inevitably, there will be fewer resources for government programs that New Yorkers count on and some of the goals we have been working for and sponsoring as individual legislators, as a body, and as a state, will have to be delayed.

What will never change are the objectives that have defined the Assembly Majority and our leadership for more than a decade:

• A sound, basic education for every child;

• The opportunity to earn a college degree within the reach of every New Yorker;

• Access to health care for every man, woman and child;

• More affordable housing and stronger protections for those families living in rent-regulated housing;

• Investments in the physical and economic growth of our great upstate cities from Western New York to the Hudson Valley, the North Country to the Southern Tier - and that means jobs;

• Holding the state and the nation to its moral obligation to rebuild Ground Zero and the surrounding Lower Manhattan community;

• Infrastructure investments, including a plan to rescue the MTA, and to pay for needed improvements to mass transit, roads and bridges;

• And clearly, it is time to reform the draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws

These are the core elements of the Democratic vision for New York State. 

Now that the People have spoken, we Democrats have a rare opportunity to implement that vision and a tremendous obligation to carry through on our promises.  How we respond will determine how we will be judged.

Yes, in this time of conflict and worldwide financial collapse, it is easy to see only the darkness that looms on our horizon when, in fact, we stand together on the doorstep of an incredible moment in American history.

In 13 days, the Governor and I - along with a number of New York leaders - will be carrying the hopes of all New Yorkers to our nation's capital for the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

So will begin a new era of hope, a new era of change, a new era of American government that is committed to giving working families and our least fortunate citizens the opportunity for a better and more dignified quality of life.

That is our calling.  The Assembly stands ready to respond to it.

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Statement by Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith Re: Governor Paterson's State of the State Address

"Today, Governor Paterson gave his first State of the State address on a historic day for New York, a day during which the Senate was convened with its first Democratic majority in 43 years.  But it was a bittersweet moment for us all - while we note the milestones that have been achieved, we are mindful of the dire fiscal times we're facing, the likes of which we have not seen since the Great Depression.

Across this great state, New York families are hurting.  Unemployment and poverty are rising and healthcare coverage is disappearing.  And, we're grappling with the biggest budget deficit in decades.  Now more than ever before, we need to come together to get our state back on track and help ease the burden on hardworking men and women.

In his address, Governor Paterson laid out an ambitious and forward-looking agenda for the year ahead. From balancing the budget, strengthening our healthcare system to improving schools and creating jobs - the Governor has set the right priorities for this legislative session.

We've been energized by the Governor's ambitious initiatives in infrastructure and clean energy; overhauling our economic development initiatives; reforming our Empire Zones; and his specific mention of Rockefeller Drug Law Reform.
We are eager to get to work with the Governor and our legislative colleagues to achieve these goals and get New York moving again."

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From Conservative Party of New York State:
Governor's State of the State Lets New Yorkers Down

Conservative Party State Chairman, Michael R. Long reacted to Governor Paterson's State of the State today by saying "At a time when we're facing the largest budget shortfall in New York history, Governor Paterson, in his State of the State failed to deal with the real crisis:  Spending!" 

"In an hour long address, Governor Paterson failed the residents of this great state, by refusing to call for the necessary changes in the wasteful spending habits of the Legislature.  Instead of reaching out to the Members, and giving specifics, Governor Paterson continued on the same spending mantra heard in the past.  "

"Governor Paterson - Washington, DC can not bail out New York, our Legislature must cut its spending and unfortunately, you did not emphasize the need to do so in your State of the State address," Long concluded.

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NYCLU Applauds Gov. Paterson's Pledge to Reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws

The New York Civil Liberties Union today applauded Gov. David Paterson for pledging to reform the failed Rockefeller Drug Laws in his State of the State Address.

"The Rockefeller Drug Laws are unjust, inhumane and ineffective," said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. "We applaud the governor for taking a strong stand today and we look forward to his leadership in ending the chronic injustice they perpetuate. Our state must restore judicial discretion to drug sentencing and explore alternatives to incarceration that treat non-violent drug offenders instead of locking them away for years and ensure that only the most egregious offenders are sent to prison."

Enacted in 1973, the Rockefeller Drug Laws mandate extremely harsh prison terms for the possession or sale of relatively small amounts of drugs. Supposedly intended to target drug kingpins, most of the people incarcerated under these laws are convicted of low-level, nonviolent offenses, and many of them have no prior criminal record. Across the state, the Rockefeller Drug Laws create stark racial disparities and exact an enormous financial toll on the state.

"These laws have neither curbed drug use nor enhanced public safety. Instead, they have ruined thousands of lives and annually wasted millions of tax dollars in prison costs," Lieberman said.

Gary Pudup, director of the NYCLU's Genesee Valley Chapter and a retired Monroe County Sheriff's police lieutenant with 29 years of law enforcement experience, testified in May at the joint hearing of the State Assembly's standing committees on codes, judiciary, correction, health, alcoholism and drug abuse, and social services.  

"It is my opinion that the state's approach to the drug problem has been ineffective and harmful," Pudup said. "If the individuals arrested, prosecuted and incarcerated under the Rockefeller Drug Law had received treatment and rehabilitation services, many, if not most, would never have become enmeshed in the criminal justice system. These laws represent an unconscionable waste of scarce resources that would be much better spent on treatment programs, economic development and community renewal in those neighborhoods most adversely affected by the war on drugs."

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From Working Families Party
Advocates Praise Governor Paterson's "45 by 15" Plan
Enormous Potential Seen to Rebuild Greener, Cleaner, and Fairer Economy

Albany - A broad coalition of environmental, labor, and housing advocates convened by the Center for Working Families praised Governor Paterson's "45 by 15" plan announced in today's State of the State address.  The plan calls for New York to meet 45% of its energy needs through improvements in energy efficiency and clean renewable energy.  

The Center for Working Families has worked for months crafting a blueprint for a "Green Jobs/Green Homes" program, an unprecedented statewide initiative to perform energy efficiency improvements on one million homes in five years.  The program would make New York homes more energy efficient, lower fossil fuel emissions, save money for homeowners, create tens of thousands of jobs, and combat climate change.   

"Governor Paterson's plan is exactly the kind of bold action our economy and our environment need.  We have an enormous potential to make New York's homes more energy efficient, saving homeowners in their energy bills, lowering our carbon footprint, and creating tens of thousands of new 'green-collar' jobs," said Dan Cantor, Working Families Party Executive Director.  "We have the opportunity not only to rebuild a greener economy, but to make sure the benefits of green technology are shared by everyone."  

Paid for through the tremendous savings on home energy bills that retrofitting makes possible, the Green Jobs/Green Homes program would work without adding to the size of the state's budget deficit.  The Governor's address today included a strong endorsement of the kind of financing mechanism needed to implement such a program, and for building and training the green collar workforce needed to put it in place.

The Center for Working Families Green Jobs/Green Homes partners agreed:

"The Governor's energy plans should make New York a leader among states in terms of green jobs creation, not to mention praiseworthy cuts in carbon emissions," said Rich Schrader, New York Legislative Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

 "Governor Paterson's focus on energy efficiency should result in less pollution and more jobs in environmentally burdened communities," said Elizabeth C. Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE, and head of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance.  "We commend the Governor for his commitment to this critical issue."

"Workers need quality, family-supporting jobs, and large scale energy efficiency projects have the potential to create a lot of them," said Lavon Chambers of Local 10 Residential Housing& Construction Laborers Union.  "We are happy to see the Governor's leadership on these job-creating initiatives."

"With Governor Paterson's leadership, we can make New York a leader both in energy conservation and in making the far-off promise of a green economy a reality today," added Cantor.   "There's a tremendous amount of work to be done, and we're excited to start working with leaders in Albany to do it."

For more information about the Green Jobs/Green Homes program, visit:

http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/issues/green-jobs-green-homes/ 

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Mental Health Association in New York State Statement on Governor Paterson's Plan to Provide Low Cost Insurance Coverage for Young Adults

There are over 2.5 million transition age youth with serious mental illness in the United States. Those individuals are three times more likely to end up in the criminal justice system and five times more likely to be unemployed. 

One of the major issues that confront this population in New York State is a lack of cohesive insurance. Several of the available funding streams have different eligibility requirements. To the extent that parents would have the ability to provide consistent, comprehensive, inexpensive insurance for their family members would be very positive for this often time neglected population.

We support the Governor's concept of providing insurance to this population but we also take this opportunity to urge the state to develop a comprehensive, multi agency approach to identify strategies for insuring that youth in transition with mental illness have the resources necessary to be successful adults.

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AUTHORIZED STATEMENT FROM RENSSELAER COUNTY EXECUTIVE KATHLEEN M. JIMINO

RE:  Governor Paterson's State of the State Address

In the Governor's State of the State address, Governor Paterson spoke of property taxes being too high and state mandates being too burdensome.  He called for relief from both, something that we in county governments across the State have long been calling for in order to lessen the burden on our property owners and to once again make this state attractive to both businesses and families.   

The Governor however also reiterated the serious fiscal dilemma facing our State and his plans to solve the crisis by drastically cutting the State's expenses and adding many new taxes.  My concern is that those cuts and taxes will no doubt have a burdensome impact on our families and businesses as well as county government itself.

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Statement from Assemblyman George Amedore (R,C - Rotterdam)

It is clear that the top priorities during the 2009 session are going to be addressing the budget deficit and working to turn around New York's economy. As the governor stated, we are in a perilous time, but that just means that we set our sights on finding immediate resolutions and long-term solutions. We cannot and should not lose sight of the long-term prospects for New York. Out of hard times, we can find opportunity. As such, we must make New York state more affordable and competitive as we move into the future. While there may be future opportunities to attract businesses, our current business climate is unwelcoming and includes job-killing taxes, archaic rules, and nonsensical regulations. New York state will not thrive if we do not address the true causes for businesses and people leaving the state.

Economic diversification is a much-needed government reform in the way we view sources of revenue and the needs of New Yorkers. As we have seen with the current crisis, we can no longer rely on Wall Street to provide one-fifth of state revenue - investment in upstate is vital for the survival and revival of this economy. This investment will bring economic prosperity to upstate and create good-paying jobs that are desperately needed. Although the governor mentioned the tax cap as a much-needed step towards true property tax reform, he has failed to include it in his budget proposal. We need to settle rising property taxes with a property tax cap because we cannot afford to push the fiscal burden onto hardworking families. This is about bringing long-term relief to New Yorkers, while continuing our commitment to the highest standards in education and our children's future. When all is said and done, I will stand up against any new taxes, tax hikes, and fees - especially those that increase everyday hardship in the lives of New Yorkers who are already suffering. We need to do more by taking a hard line on promoting cost saving programs, eliminating wasteful government spending, and releasing the stranglehold on businesses; that's how we make New York state prosperous once again.

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Statement from Albany County Executive Mike Breslin on the 2009 State of the State

"I appreciate Governor Paterson's support for property tax relief and improving efficiency in local governments," said County Executive Mike Breslin. "My priority as County Executive has always been to keep property taxes in Albany County low, and we are committed to doing more with less. For example, taking into consideration inflation, the County will spend 4.1 percent less in 2009 than in 2008."

 "I also commend Governor Paterson for his commitment to enhancing services for veterans and their families," said Breslin "Particularly in these difficult economic times, it is critical we assist veterans and families to receive the services and benefits they deserve. I look forward to the Governor's proposals for increased mental health services, a Veteran's Family Outreach program and increased aid to our County Veterans Bureau."

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Statement of Hunger Action Network of NYS in response to Governor Paterson's State of the State  

"While the Governor spoke to the challenges many New Yorkers will face from the recession, he ignored the epidemic of poverty that far too many New Yorkers are already experiencing, especially in our upstate cities. We were disappointed not to hear any proposals on how to improve the state's efforts to move welfare participants into living wage jobs or of the need to raise the state minimum wage or unemployment benefits. While it is important to take steps to provide health care to young adults, the real solution needs to be a comprehensive universal health care system that eliminates the costly waste and bureaucracy of private for profit health insurance. We were glad to see the Governor highlight the need for stronger efforts to combat childhood obesity and look forward to seeing passage of the Healthy Schools Act. We support the initiative to create a fund to bring more food markets with vegetables into low-income neighborhoods and the proposal to create jobs by weatherizing homes. We look forward to a more balanced approach to raising state revenues in the final budget," stated Mark Dunlea, Executive Director of the  Hunger Action Network of NYS.  

The group said it hoped that the Governor would rescind the cut to blind, disabled and poor elderly SSI recipients in his 30 day budget amendment.

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Civil Legal Services Advocates Respond to Gov. Paterson's State of the State Address

Complete Elimination of Civil Legal Services Hurts Low-Income New Yorkers and New York's Economy

Advocates for civil legal services (CLS) reacted strongly today to Gov. David Paterson's State of the State message and his earlier proposed budget that cuts civil legal services funding to zero, completely eliminating state funding for the legal services that low-income New Yorkers depend on, particularly in difficult economic times.

"We commend Gov. Paterson for delivering a sobering State of the State address and we recognize that the state is in the midst of a serious economic crisis," said Anne Erickson, president and CEO of the Empire Justice Center, speaking on behalf of the Legal Services Funding Alliance, a coalition of the 20 legal services programs outside of New York City.

"However, the Governor's complete elimination of civil legal services funding in his budget, especially at this urgent time of need, runs counter to his personal record of advocating for poor, disabled and distressed New Yorkers, as well as, his message today that recognized the need for community service programs," Erickson continued. "We know Gov. Paterson has been a strong advocate for access to justice and the delivery of legal assistance to those most in need, and today said that the best ethical decisions lead to the best policy decisions. We agree and urge the Governor to heed his own words and make the right ethical and policy decision by restoring critical CLS funding, at least to last year's level."

In the 2008-09 budget, state funding for civil legal services was reduced to just under $8 million, a 55% cut to the just under $16 million in funding for 2007-08. Adding to the pain is the continuing attempt to cut current year funding through the deficit budget which calls for a 44% cut to any unspent funding in the 2008-09 budget.

"For many people in western New York, these cuts to civil legal services further weaken the safety net that may be the only thing between surviving this crisis and launching families with special needs into an uncontrollable downward spiral," said Karen Nicolson, from Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged of Western New York Inc. serving counties in western New York and the Seneca Nation of Indians.

New York's low income families and individuals turn to civil legal services programs in times of crisis to help stabilize their lives. Civil legal services attorneys work with their clients to help access special education services for special needs children; to obtain disability benefits for veterans returning from the war; to avert homelessness by staving off eviction or foreclosure when a high cost loan becomes impossible to maintain.

"The impact of civil legal services cuts on domestic violence victims in New York will be devastating," said Lisa Frisch of The Legal Project. "This funding provides a lifeline for domestic violence victims who have nowhere else to turn for legal representation."

"The need for legal assistance is skyrocketing as people face complicated legal issues around securing unemployment benefits, guarding against increased evictions or mortgage foreclosures and dealing with the loss of health benefits and more," said Lillian Moy of the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York.

Barbara Finkelstein of the Legal Services of the HudsonValley noted that civil legal services also have a positive impact on local economies. "The majority of the benefits of civil legal services flow almost immediately into state and local economies resulting in sales tax revenues and business income to state and local businesses."

"CLS programs also help ensure families have access to food assistance programs they qualify for," said Jeff Seigel from Nassau/Suffolk Law Services. "For example, for every family of three who receives Food Stamps, as much as $5,556 in federal dollars is generated in nutritional support and subsequent expenditure in the local economy. That helps our local businesses, our families and the economy."

The elimination of all state funding for the general delivery of legal services comes at a time when another core source of funding, the Interest on Lawyer Account (IOLA) Fund, is rapidly shrinking.  Driven by interest rates and economic activity, the Fund's income is in a nosedive.    IOLA, along with state funding and federal funding are the three core funding streams that support the delivery of legal services.

The groups noted that State funding, which reached a high of almost $16 million in 2007, has been available at various levels since 1993, has become essential to the core operating funds that keep programs across the state running.

In terms of civil legal services funding, New YorkState was ranked in the middle of the pack compared to other states as measured by 2007 state funding. In 2008, New York dropped to the last quarter of states and the current elimination of state funding would put New York tied for dead last in the nation. 

"Civil legal services have been vastly underfunded for decades in New York," said Kristin Brown Lilley, of the Empire JusticeCenter. "New York should maintain its own general fund commitment to the delivery of civil legal services and seek to be a national leader in defending the poor, not a national embarrassment."

The groups called on the Governor to restore funding for civil legal services during the 30-day amendment period.

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SUNY Statement on Governor Paterson's State of the State Address

Albany - SUNY Officer-in-Charge and Vice Chancellor John J. O'Connor issued the following statement on Governor David A. Paterson's State of the State address:

"Governor Paterson said today that ‘the road to economic development runs right through our schools.' SUNY is ready to put into action the Governor's vision for a better future for New York through advances in education, health care, energy and innovation.

"SUNY has health care institutions that serve New Yorkers of all ages across our State, research that drives clean and sustainable energy solutions and environmental innovation, and colleges and universities that are preparing the skilled workforce of New York's future.  We look forward to working with the Governor, Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Smith in rebuilding New York's economy and as Governor Paterson so eloquently stated, ‘producing a better New York for all our families.'"