It gives me some pause to think if Skelos and is campaign committee is feeling so pinched for funds that they need to send a whiney message like this to Golisano. But it gets better as the Newsday Spin Cycle posted the actual letter.
James T. Madore
Aug. 4
Dear Mr. Golisano,
We appreciate your call to reform New York State government, especially since the changes you are advocating are ones that we have long advocated for and enthusiastically supported. Most of your priorities already have passed in our Republican-led Senate, and we welcome your commitment to greater fiscal responsibility, property tax reform, more open and accountable state government, and a more prosperous economy.
The differences in priorities and philosophies between Republicans and Democrats in the State Legislature are enormous - the facts speak for themselves. We in the Senate Republican Majority have consistently championed an extensive agenda that gives relief to our hard-working, overburdened taxpayers; revitalizes the economy; and changes the way Albany does business. Our voting record proves it. Unfortunately, State Democrats have a record of blocking or fighting against these measures, no matter whether they are from Upstate or Downstate New York. That is why many of these bills have not been passed in the State Assembly. However, in many instances, we have successfully enlisted the public's support to help us force them to make the right decisions for our families.
We will continue to fight for positive results for our State, and listed below are the priority areas where we have taken action.
1. Responsible Budgets (Budget Increases Limited to the Rate of Inflation): The Senate Republican Majority has prioritized the enactment of a constitutional amendment to impose a cap on state spending growth (S.7134, passed Senate). Approved during this year's Legislative Session, the constitutional spending cap would dramatically strengthen the state's finances, reduce next year's spending gap by almost $3 billion, and produce $12.3 billion in savings over the next three years. In addition, 50 percent of any tax revenue exceeding the cap would be placed in a fiscal reserve fund to bolster the state's overall fiscal integrity, while the remaining 50 percent would be returned to taxpayers in the form of direct tax rebates.
In addition, in response to Governor Paterson's recent call for fiscal restraint, we in the Senate Majority have renewed our efforts to encourage the State Assembly leadership to join us in supporting this critically-needed, fiscally responsible budget reform.
2. Property Tax Reform: To address the unsustainable financial burden that property taxes have placed on millions of New Yorkers, the Senate Republican Majority has passed a series of reform bills that would phase out school property taxes (S.8522, passed Senate). In addition, we will soon be returning to Albany for a special session to pass a property tax cap. While such a cap is a first step, we strongly believe that much more must be done for property tax relief that actually cuts the tax burden for our families and seniors. That's why the Senate Republican Majority will also be passing comprehensive mandate relief to school districts during this special session. We are urging the Assembly to return to Albany to address these critical issues without delay.
3. An End To Unfunded Mandates: As mentioned above, the Senate Republican Majority will soon be voting to approve comprehensive school district mandate relief. While we have passed several mandate relief bills (S.8519, passed Senate; S.1140-A, passed Senate; S.6147, passed Senate; etc.), these efforts have previously been met with little support from Assembly Democrats. However, with today's heightened public focus on property tax and mandate reform, we are again leading a charge to definitively and forcefully address these issues in the coming weeks.
4. Campaign and Election Reform (Including Redistricting Reform): We are strong advocates for fair and open elections and recognize the need for additional reforms. Last year, the Senate Republican Majority led a series of hearings across the State to gather public input on campaign finance reform, and we are supportive of sensible reform measures to place new limits on campaign contributions, ensure enhanced reporting, and provide greater transparency to New York's campaign finance system. As we look forward, we are committed to holding the most open and transparent redistricting process in State history, with extensive opportunity for public input in communities across the State.
5. Government Employee Compensation Commensurate with Private Sector: We strongly believe that shining a brighter light on government expenditures leads to more restraint and accountability. In addition to holding the Senate's operating budget below the rate of inflation year in and year out over the past decade, the Senate Republican Majority has expressed support for Governor Paterson's ongoing efforts to find savings throughout the State government bureaucracy. We have instituted public expenditure reports which provide extensive information regarding all Senate expenditures, including salaries, and have approved legislation requiring all Executive agencies and the Judiciary to compile and publicly release similar reports (S.6358-A, passed Senate). Also, we have voted for legislation (S.6550, passed Senate) to establish a non-partisan commission to review the issue of compensation for public officials to bring about a more rational, open and public approach.
To enhance transparency at the local level, we approved legislation (S.5830-B, passed Senate) that would require all school districts to compile, publish, and update in a timely manner, information about their district budget, and include an itemized summary of all expenditures and revenues. This information must be made available to the public in printed form and on the school's website.
6. Equitable Distribution of Economic Development Resources Statewide: The Senate Republican Majority has consistently been the most vocal proponent of pursuing a regionally-balanced comprehensive economic growth plan that would help create jobs and stimulate new investment in communities throughout the State.
We feel strongly that economic development decisions should be based on the merits of particular projects and the specific potential they hold for new job creation and private sector investment. We also recognize that some parts of the State are doing better economically than others, and that Upstate especially needs to be revitalized. In this regard, we have launched the Upstate NOW economic development plan (S.5953 and S.5953-A, passed Senate) which provides a wide array of tax cuts and strategic investments.
7. Government Transparency: The Senate Republican Majority has led the fight for greater government openness and transparency. From a series of widely-hailed, new Freedom of Information (FOIL) measures that have been enacted over the past several years, to the institution for open, public budget hearings and conference committees, to the televising of Senate sessions and other proceedings, to our legislation requiring public expenditure reports from the Judiciary and all Executive agencies (S.6358, passed Senate), the Senate Republican Majority has been a clear and consistent voice for reform.
We also believe that openness and accountability would be dramatically strengthened by enacting our statewide Initiative and Referendum legislation (S.6020, passed Senate). We will continue to push for this key reform.
8. End Back Door Borrowing: The Senate Republican Majority has supported comprehensive debt reform (S.8333, passed Senate) and a ban on backdoor borrowing (S.8175, passed Senate). In contrast, the State's Democratic Party leaders have refused to take action on these measures.
As you can see, we share the same goals and agendas and we are heartened by your efforts to help us achieve results on behalf of all New Yorkers. It would truly be a shame if we let this opportunity go by without a fight to build support for the initiatives our Republican conference has long fought for.
And make no mistake, maintaining a Republican Senate is critical to achieving these reforms because many Senate Democrats voted against them.
Without the checks and balances we assure, state government would be totally controlled by Democrats from New York City. Keep in mind that a Democrat-controlled Senate would be lead by Malcolm Smith of Queens, Tom Duane from Greenwich Village (Manhattan) and Jeff Klein from the Bronx. The Assembly would be lead by Speaker Sheldon Silver of Manhattan. Thus, it is critical that you join our fight and help us achieve reform.
I am sure that once you examine the record, you will conclude that our agenda represents the best hope for reform and for restoring and rebuilding our great Empire State, and we look forward to working with you for a positive future for all New Yorkers.
Sincerely,
Dean G. Skelos
Majority Leader
New York State Senate
Wow, the Chutzpah in this is mind boggling! So, Skelos wants to convince Tom Golisano and the public that his party's forty year control of the State Senate and its significance in creating dysfunctional Albany is closer to Golisano's platform for change than that of the Democrats.
I will leave it to our TAP Community readers to answer Mr. Skelos eight points one by one to see if indeed they hold water! I tend to doubt they do. What do you think?
