Retain Jobs: New York Workers and New York Products
Darrel's plan starts with efforts to retain jobs in the 48th Senate District, by protecting New York workers and promoting New York products.
Remove Benefits for Outsourcers: Darrel promises to work toward Senate adoption of the State Financial Incentive Protection Act. This would prohibit companies that cut jobs due to outsourcing from receiving taxpayer-funded incentives (A11682, 2004). While similar legislation was defeated in the Senate this January, Darrel believes public support for this idea is strong and he will sponsor it in the Senate.
Promote New York products: There are several ways to promote products made by New York companies. One way is to inform consumers about which products are made locally. Darrel authored a bill in the Assembly that would require country of origin labeling on food products (A1999, 2007). Another way to promote New York products is to ask companies that receive grants from New York to first consider New York-based companies as primary suppliers.
Legislation that did just that with University-related economic development programs (A389, 2007) passed the Assembly last year but died in the Senate. The COOL bill faced the same fate, passing in the Assembly only to stall in the Senate. As Senator, Darrel will work to make sure both bills become law.
I'm on board 100 percent with Aubertine's plan here. We do need to eliminate benefits for companies that outsource their jobs after receiving Empire Zone benefits. The New York products portion of the plan is also a very strong concept. I know Spitzer mentioned this during his State of Upstate Address. Also, using colleges to create economic development is a very solid concept. In Aubertine's district, two universities come to mind: SUNY Oswego and St. Lawrence University. They could both help spur growth in the 48th.
Reform Existing Economic Development Efforts
Darrel believes the economic development programs used by the state over the last decade are badly in need of reform. Darrel supports reforming both the Empire Zone program and the Industrial Development Agency program, and he has voted to do so.
Reform Empire Zone: This $600 million program has not created as many jobs as it could, in part because of loopholes in the program that allow companies to partake without the creation of net jobs. The Empire Zone reform Darrel has voted to support would crack down on "shirt changers," remove law firms from the list of eligible companies and increase accountability for businesses participating in the program (A9125, 2007).
Reform IDAs [Industrial Development Agencies]: There are 115 IDAs in the state that provide some $400 million tax exemptions each year. Some programs run efficiently, but many more do not. Darrel has voted for legislation that would add more transparency and accountability to IDAs (A8703, 2007) and he would sponsor IDA reform in the Senate.
Both of these reforms passed the Assembly with Darrel's support, but stalled in the Senate.
Reduce Costs: Cut Taxes, Consolidate Government and Reduce Energy Costs
Darrel believes that we need to reduce the cost of doing businesses, with a special focus on taxes and energy costs. These costs are hurting residents and killing small business. Darrel's plan proposes work on all levels of government to reduce costs and cut taxes.
Cut taxes on Manufacturers: Darrel supports and has sponsored legislation that would phase out the franchise tax on business corporations that are manufacturers (A.2361).
Cap Property Taxes: Darrel strongly supports the proposed property tax cap, and believes that state and local governments need to stop pointing fingers and start working together to reduce property taxes.
Promote Consolidation: Darrel believes we need to make it easier for municipalities to work together. He has sponsored legislation to do that in the Assembly (A.1358, 2007), and would also do so in the Senate.
Reduce Energy Costs: To reduce energy costs, we must increase generation capacity - and the 48th Senate District is the right place for these new energy jobs. Darrel believes it is time to get passed partisan posturing and adopt an Article 10 law that fast-tracks the development of power production facilities.
Reinvest in Infrastructure
Investment in infrastructure -- whether that means roads and bridges, city centers, broadband access or investments in our higher education system -- is critical if we are to attract the businesses of tomorrow. The governor has proposed a $1 billion investment in upstate to jumpstart the economy. Darrel believes Central and Northern New York needs a strong voice at the table when those dollars are divided.
Rebuild our City Centers: As hubs for small business, our cities are the economic engines of our communities. Every effort should be made to make certain these cities have the ability to grow. Darrel has directed funds toward the city of Watertown and would lead similar efforts in Oswego, Fulton, Ogdensburg, Canton and across this district.
Improve Links with Colleges and Universities: With five colleges in the Senate District, and more just outside, Darrel knows our institutions of higher education are a resource that must be tapped. He worked with SUNY Canton to secure $6 million in capital improvements and will work closely with other colleges on similar projects. His plan specifically calls for a joint SUNY/ESDC venture that builds job incubators in small cities, encouraging the young people who graduate from the local colleges to start businesses and remain in New York.
Invest in High Tech Jobs: To attract the jobs of tomorrow, we need to start planting the seeds today. Darrel has sponsored legislation in the Assembly to provide high-technology working capital loan guarantees to eligible high tech businesses (A236, 2007). This legislation passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate.
Darrel Aubertine knows a lot of work lies ahead as we strive to improve the economy and save jobs. But he also has a record of getting the job done.
"I have laid out this detailed plan to save jobs and create new ones," said Aubertine. "As I have said, it will not be easy. But our families and our communities need us to do everything we can to keep good jobs and create new ones."
Overall, Aubertine's plan is a strong one. You won't see Will Barclay coming forward with such a plan because, well, he can't. Barclay has voted against the economic interests of the people of his own Assembly district and would so the same in the New York State Senate.
Darrel Aubertine is the man for the job in the 48th.
