Joe Mesi released two key campaign pieces today when he announced his five point plan for jobs in Western New York and also came out with his first TV ad reaching out to voters in the 61st Senate District.
First, the television ad. Here it is:
Mesi's five point plan for jobs focuses on creating jobs in Western New York as well as keeping jobs in the area. Job creation is one thing. Keeping those jobs here is another. We know that better than anyone.
Here is Mesi's five point plan:
1. Target investments to build on our strengths. The science advances at UB and the bioinformatics and cancer research taking place at Roswell Park should help attract the kind of high-tech jobs that will keep our kids here-and give them a real future. In the Senate, Joe Mesi will fight to increase funding for our universities.
2. Reform Empire Zones and Industrial Development Agencies. These programs provide breaks to businesses who promise to create jobs. But too often, we end up subsidizing businesses that are cutting jobs, not creating them. That's got to change. We have to hold them accountable and make sure they keep their promises, so our kids can stay here and find good jobs.
3. Lower Property Taxes because high tax rates put us at a competitive disadvantage and discourage businesses from locating here.
4. End Tax Breaks for Corporations that Move Our Jobs Out of State. In just the past year, the Republican-led Senate defeated an anti-outsourcing bill. There's no excuse for Albany helping CEOs outsource our jobs-with our tax dollars, leaving New York families holding the bill. It should be the Senate's job to protect our jobs.
5. Grow Green Industries. Western New York should be a model in growing "green industries." Mesi's plan will cut energy costs, create jobs in growing economic sectors, and curbing global warming by investing in renewable energy and training the next generation of workers.
Mesi knows where our focus has to be. This should be the focus of other legislators in Western New York. We have the resources to have green energy industries flourish here. We also have strong colleges and universities that should be utilized. We do have plenty of land for Empire Zones, which is why Empire Zones need to be reined in. We need companies who utilize Empire Zones for tax breaks to be held accountable to make sure they are creating the jobs they said they would.
