You elected me to be your voice in Albany and to make tough decisions. Few issues are as critical to the future of our state as reforming our education system.

Right now, we rank number one in the nation in spending per student, and number 34 in student achievement. Worse still, these poor results are coming after a decade of record spending increases in education funding.

Throwing money at the problem is not the answer. We need to cut the bureaucratic fat and champion reforms that will help our students achieve their true potential.

We need to spend smarter. To this end I have proposed a $250 million fund for competitive awards to school districts that have the greatest improvement in student performance. A similar fund of $250 million will reward school districts that produce the most innovative means to cut waste from the system.

In the debate over the state budget, it is important to focus on the facts instead of overheated rhetoric. While I have asked state agencies to cut their budgets by 10%, I have only sought an average 2.9% reduction in overall school spending. And I have suggested many ways in which school districts can absorb these reductions without laying off teachers, cutting programs or harming students.

• School districts have $1.5 billion in reserves and unspent federal funds that will allow many to absorb the proposed $1.5 billion cuts without service reduction.
• Freezing wages, as I have proposed to do for state workers, would save school districts $1.1 billion.
• Having school district employees make the same health care contributions that state employees make would result in $500-$600 million in savings.
• Cutting the salaries of the more than 2,000 high priced school administrators who receive more than $150,000 in salaries and benefits would result in substantial savings.

At a time when New Yorkers are watching every penny, we can no longer afford to throw money at a system bloated with waste and inefficiency. By coming together and acknowledging that fixing our schools means placing the interests of our students ahead of special interests, we can make New York’s schools the envy of the rest of the nation.

Sincerely,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

PS: To learn more about the budget, please visit www.governor.ny.gov/budget.

A Tax Cap That Works
Based on past practice, New York’s special-interest groups will unleash a campaign against the 2 percent property tax cap as the proposal gains steam in Albany. Taxpayers will hear warnings about the dangers a cap imposes on schools, police, fire protection and myriad services. But a tax cap will not thrust New York into uncharted territory. The Massachusetts experience shows that New York, too, can undo its image as a high-taxed state unfriendly to business and its own residents.

Massachusetts was known as Taxachusetts when its voters in 1980 approved a proposition to limit tax levies to 2.5 percent growth each year. Since the limit took effect, per capita residential and commercial real estate taxes have gone up 23 percent there when adjusted for inflation. In New York, they have gone up 53 percent, according to the Tax Policy Center, a joint venture of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution.

Now real estate agents in the western fringes of Massachusetts are luring home buyers from the eastern reaches of New York by heralding the wide gulf in tax burdens. In his analysis of property taxes in the two states, our state government correspondent, Tom Precious, found a$600,000 home in Massachusetts requiring about $4,500 in annual property taxes. The tax bill would be twice as much on a home worth half as much in nearby Albany, Precious reports.

The Massachusetts law has flexibility. The cap applies to the amount a community can add to its annual property tax levy, excluding new construction that has just gone onto the rolls. It doesn’t mean an individual property tax bill can’t increase more than 2.5 percent with revaluation. Debt for new construction, like a new wing on a school, is exempt from the tax-increase calculation. The proposition approved in 1980 also let voters suspend the cap in special circumstances. They have done so more than 3,000 times since then, mostly in wealthier communities.

The Massachusetts cap also appears to have sparked fire agencies and school districts to merge, and assorted local governments to consolidate or share services. In New York, local governments only nibble around the edges when it comes to sharing services, and outright mergers are rare.

The Massachusetts experience required care. In bridling property taxes, Massachusetts also ramped up the financial aid it sends local governments. “Without that local aid from the state, the municipalities would have collapsed,” said Andrew Bagley, research director at the nonpartisan Massachusetts Taxpayers Association.

After 30 years, the Massachusetts experience has produced results that look extraordinarily good from this side of the border. Massachusetts used to be neck and neck with New York when the highest taxed states were ranked. By 2008, Massachusetts was at number 23. The state spends $3,000 a year less per pupil than New York spends on public education but gets better results on standardized tests. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation last month ranked New York 50th in the nation, or worst, in the tax burden it places on businesses. Massachusetts ranked 32nd. And Carl Bradford, the owner of a$600,000 house in West Stockbridge, Mass., says the thought of retiring elsewhere to escape his property tax bill never occurred to him. “I can’t remember the last time I talked about anyone’s property taxes,”he said.

A tax cap in New York need not be a scary idea for public employees and parents of children in public schools. Other states have gone down this road, and other states tax less and spend less than New York. Yet the sky has not fallen in those states. Chaos does not reign. New York can tax and spend far less than now, and life will not only go on, it will get better.

-Buffalo News editorial

Well, ladies and gentlemen – there you have it! Let your Assemblymember know we need a 2-percent property tax cap now. Massachusetts got their state back, New York  State can too.

It was refreshing to hear the excitement in Gov. Cuomo’s voice followed by much applause from the audience. We all know we are in bad shape many members of the legislature have been drunk with spending money we don’t have.  The first step in the recovery is admitting that you have a problem……and they have.

Many points in the governor’s plan and agenda align and fall into Unshackle’s 2011 goals:

• Reduce State Spending
• Reduce Mandates
• Reduce Taxes, Fees and Assessments
• Reduce Borrowing

While everyone may have different ways of reaching these and other goals, the fact still remains; we have got to get our state back.

Some of the governor’s key points in his “road to transformation” included:

• Transforming government – ethical reform
• People first, not special interests
• Reduce Mandates – Creation of Mandate Relief Redesign Team to review state-imposed unfunded mandates and to look for ways to reduce the costs of mandated programs, identify ineffective and outdated mandates, and to determine how school districts and local governments can have greater ability to control expenses.

• Reduce State Spending – Freezing wages, cut spending in the three most expensive areas: education, Medicaid and state/local funding, reduce the number of state agencies, authorities and commissions by 20%

• Reducing Taxes, Fees and Assessments – Tax Cap of 2%, hold the line on taxes, lower taxes in the future

• Reducing Borrowing – Emergency Financial Plan closing the $10B gap in the 2011-2012 budget without borrowing  or raising taxes

At one point, New York State was the place to be, the place to do business and a model for the rest of the nation. We can get there…it won’t happen overnight, but we will. Gov. Cuomo closed with a theme of the “Empire State Strikes Back!” Let’s focus on the task at hand, holding our officials accountable and taking the necessary steps to make this state a better place to live and do business.

If you missed the State of the State address, you can take a look at the video/transcript here.

Get started by sending your legislator a message in support of a 2% property tax cap!

How do I know who my representatives are?

We are the voices of New York State, but our representatives speak for us in Albany.  If you aren’t sure who represents you visit the NYS Board of Elections website and find out.

All 212 seats are open, with the notion of Incumbents vs. Challengers, should I only support the challengers, does that invoke real change?

Not every incumbent voted for this unbalanced budget and was anti-taxpayer. Not every challenger has plans that align with Unshackle Upstate’s goals for job creation, no unfunded mandates, lower taxes and fees. If you aren’t happy with the way your representative has voted in the past, then take that step to vote for someone new. It is time to rebuild! We should pay attention to their voting record and plans to make New York State a better place to live.  Change will come when we turn our frustrations into action.

What should I keep in mind as I go to the polls on Judgment Day?

-          The current legislative body passed (predominantly along party lines) a $136 billion budget that raised state spending by 7.6%

-          The average family of 4 has been hit with $1300 of new taxes and fees

-          9 of the 10 highest taxed counties in the nation are all located in New York State

Some people only care about the statewide races and not the legislative, what can I do to help GOTV?

We have to start rebuilding our economy from the ground up. These 212 seats are most vital when beginning that process. While the statewide races are important, these 212 legislators represent each of us on a local level. They take our issues to the statewide level. We have to start somewhere, and if we want to see New York State keep their residents here, lower taxes and get businesses back we have to get the right people in office to do that.

What other resources can I use to make my decision & share with others for 11/2/10?

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released their 2009-2010 Legislative Voting Record. The Business Council of New York State (BCNYS) released their 2010 Pro-Jobs Voter Guide agenda outlining key issues that affect New York State’s job climate.

Share with family and friends how we continue to get buried with taxes and how New York State has been nickel and diming us for too long.

It’s time to GOTV so we can take our state back! It only takes one and it starts with you!

212 seats are on the line and it is up to you to see which legislators are for you, for keeping and expanding businesses and for making our economy better. Check Unshackle’s list of endorsements and use your ONE vote to help get a pro taxpayer legislator in office who will embrace our agenda of reducing taxes, fees and assessments; cutting state and local spending; reducing state borrowing and curtailing mandates.

$171 a day our Albany lawmakers received to return back to Albany to vote on a budget that took 16 weeks to pass. Your ONE vote can help to get a legislator in office whose voting record demonstrates they have acted in the best interest of the NYS taxpayers.

$136 billion budget, passed predominantly along party lines, that raised state spending by 7.6%. There was obviously no balancing this budget! Your ONE vote could help get a legislator in there who will not vote to increase spending while NYS remains in a deficit.

125 days past the deadline, the New York State budget that we all waited for finally passed. What did we get out of it? Higher spending and more taxes with almost no presence of creating new jobs or improving the broken economy. Your ONE vote can elect an official who will not vote for numerous budget extenders just to give us a late and anti taxpayer budget.

62-member Senate that passed a 4% property tax cap. However higher than the 2.5% Unshackle proposed, your ONE vote could keep those in office that listened to the taxpayers need for a cap. Where was the Assembly with their votes?

8% of additional taxes and fees NYS taxpayers were hit with last year, and we are still getting buried. Your ONE vote will help to make sure that the average family of 4 no longer gets hit with $1300 of new taxes and fees.

Elected officials and Albany hopefuls have produced commercials, mailers and robo calls telling you what they plan to do, but ask them what they have done – get educated and informed. Share with your family and friends how important their ONE vote is…if we don’t get it right now, when will we?

The FACT of the matter is: Our Frustration should lead to Action that can bring about Change for our NYS Taxpayers. Vote based on facts, not opinion.

Your Voice. Your Decision. ONE Chance. ONE Vote.

11.2.10 – YOU be the judge!

It may not appear on HBO, but this fight will resume in the middle of this week coming to every TV, newspaper and blog near you.  On Sunday, Governor Paterson announced that he is calling the state Legislature into special session to try and reach a final agreement on the 2010/11 budget.  On top of the budget, the governor wants the legislators to also vote on items they previously said no to including: enacting a property tax cap, selling wine in grocery stores, taxing sugary drinks and letting public colleges set tuition rates.

So who are we waiting for? The Senate, who have yet to approve the revenue bill to complete the budget.  Who keeps getting unfairly knocked around? You do! Although we are the ones watching the fight, we are the ones most affected by those in the ring, with high taxes, increased spending and dare I say the b-word…borrowing.

Gov. Paterson also included many of his legislative initiatives from earlier, hoping to put the legislators on the spot if they do not accept his agenda items.

What is the fight about and how long do we have to sit back and watch? Well, the budget the governor wants passed is a $136 billion budget. Not so cheap, is it? Don’t forget the $9.2 billion deficit.  Considering it has taken so long for the budget to be passed, that means more revenue will be needed, with less and less time to raise it.  The revenue bill that the Senate has yet to approve also contains nearly $1 billion in new taxes.  It’s a game of cat and mouse, who’s right and who’s wrong?  If our representatives had really represented what NYS taxpayers need and want, perhaps a stronger and more fiscally sound budget would have been passed already. Wishful thinking.

Paterson’s other agenda items besides those already mentioned, include:

• A contingency plan in case NYS does not receive the $1 billion in Medicaid funding.
• A new program, Energize New York that will replace the Power for Jobs program, which provides more accountability in providing lower cost electricity to selected employers to add or retain jobs.

So tune in today for the fight of the decade….well, the past few months.  Before you get too excited and prepare for the final bell to ring, while the Legislature must report to Albany, they are not required to vote or debate the issues, let’s just hope they do and do it right.

Either way, someone will eventually get tired. Let that be YOU. We have sent them off to Albany, time and time again, to fight for us, some of them instead fight each other or make the fight and focus about their own reelection.  Let November 2^nd really be JUDGMENT DAY! Remember what some of our lawmakers failed to fight for and those who made promises that they couldn’t keep.

It’s time for a 16^th Round TKO. Judgment Day style.

More than 100 days have gone by and about 15 weeks have passed, yet still no budget.  It seems like the stops on this road trip are endless! How many more stops before we reach our final destination?

Our “legislative road trip” began with promises of fun, savings, stability and a timely arrival of April 1^st.  Our 212 tour guides, remember there is a lot of us on this trip, got us excited and trusting for what was in store…little did we know….

After going through Paterson, New Jersey, we reached the Property Tax rest stop.  We ran into a group from Massachusetts who had been at the rest stop for awhile and were very familiar with it since they have been very successful after introducing the 2.5% property tax cap.  Upon leaving, we saw a bus from New Jersey pulling in.  Just recently, Governor Christie of New Jersey signed a 2% property tax cap bill.  While they were new visitors themselves, they planned on staying around for awhile.  While we should have stayed and chatted, considering a tax cap is one form of relief that would go to everyone and we are 79% above the national average of property taxes, we didn’t stay there long.  Apparently, our tour guides, who we will call “legislators”, decided it wasn’t worth the time, so we left.

More time was wasted as our bus got a flat tire and we had to wait for two of our “legislator guides”, who we’ll call Sampson & Silver, to negotiate the most effective way to get it changed.  We were there for hours.

We stayed overnight at the hotel for Taxation and Fees, the rooms were quite expensive but our guides decided that instead of cutting spending for the night and going to the less expensive hotel to balance our trip budget, we would just use the “extra” money that we really didn’t have.

We kept on traveling and made a quick, unannounced stop and one of our legislator guides said something about going to “borrow” a few dollars.  Wouldn’t it have made more sense to spend less throughout the trip so when we got low on money (some had none at all) we wouldn’t have to borrow to cover our past expenses? Sounds like a deficit just waiting to happen.

I don’t know about you New York, but I’m tired of this trip.  I’m ready to arrive at our location, destination: budget.  We cannot allow our tour guides “legislators” to take us on this lengthy trip year after year.  Judgment Day is coming! For those that didn’t listen, make that THEIR last stop.

Hey Albany, are we there yet?

Along those similar lines, it looks like unemployed New Yorkers aren’t the only ones not “reaping benefits.”  The legislators are not getting paid!  Well, scratch that.  The legislators are receiving a “measly” $170 per day for time spent in Albany and other travel while $4.9 million in legislative paychecks are being held by the state comptroller’s office.  Although it is the Senate that has yet to vote on the final bill, the Senate Democrats are using this “negotiating” strategy to get key policy issues, through the reluctant Assembly, to be considered, including property tax relief, a contingency fund if Albany doesn’t get the $1 billion in expected federal Medicaid money and the SUNY schools autonomy issue.  Without that final bill to complete the budget, the paychecks will not commence.

For some, but not all, legislators are really starting to feel the burn.  Most legislators hold second jobs, with dozens having jobs with law firms…they seem to be ok.  For those, who do not have such esteemed positions outside of their “elected official duties” it is not so pleasant. I say, welcome to the world of unemployment, layoffs etc.  The only difference being that the legislators, at some point, will get paid the missing part of their salary.  All of the taxpayers and NYS residents that are out of work will not.  But there’s always unemployment benefits…right?  Barely.

The point is, pass a budget!  Not just any old budget, but a budget that will keep businesses here, bring businesses here and allow New York State taxpayers to be able to afford to stay here.

As some of our legislators “suffer” under these conditions, maybe, just maybe they’ll start thinking differently.  Wouldn’t it be smart for the legislators to use their current “setback” as an example for our state budget?  If the money is not there, then you cannot spend it.  If the money is not there, then you cannot create imaginary revenue. One can only hope.

If I had a million dollars…I’d buy some of them a clue.

However, after months of feuding and disagreements, the Legislature approved the spending plan, which just so happens to include fees, increased spending, taxes and borrowing (remember when our leaders pledged to not support these?).   How does an additional $954 million dollars in taxes out of our pocket sound?

Alas, all is not bad news with us.  Some of our representatives actually listened.  Unshackle Upstate, working in conjunction with many other organizations, has stopped a significant number of bills that will adversely impact job creators in the State of New York. They include the following:

o   IDA Labor Mandates (S.1241 THOMPSON / A.3659 Hoyt)
This legislation would impose costly and burdensome mandates to economic development projects financed by Industrial Development Agencies.

o   Natural Gas Drilling Moratorium (S.7592-A  ADDABBO / A.10490-A Englebright)
If enacted, this bill would establish a moratorium on conducting hydraulic fracturing pending the issuance of a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has already concluded on more than one occasion that hydraulic fracturing – a 60-year-old technology – is safe.

o   Farm Labor Mandates (S.2247-B ONORATO / A.1867-B Nolan / S.7787 ONORATO)
This legislation would impose wage and schedule mandates on farms and makes the false assumption that these mandates will have no impact. These mandates will likely result in fewer jobs for farm workers and more of our food will be grown in other states and countries.

While Unshackle Upstate has been successful, a significant number of bills that will adversely impact job creators in the State of New York have advanced in one house or the other that were not a part of UU’s plan for Upstate.   Some of our representatives hoped that we weren’t paying attention and passed the following.

o   Service Worker Prevailing Wage Mandates (S.7096-A SCHNEIDERMAN / A.10257-A Gianaris)
This bill would amend the law to extend higher wage mandates to private businesses. Ultimately the legislation will translate into higher energy cost for all consumer including businesses, the elderly, schools, daycares, local governments and hospitals.  The bill passed the Senate 32-27 and the Assembly 90-43.  The bill now goes to the Governor for approval or veto.

o   Independent Contractor Classification (S.6194  FOLEY / A.8237-B John / S.5847-C ONORATO / A.9706-B (Part SS))
These bills would have a severe impact on the New York State construction industry, by applying an unnecessary definition of an independent contractor to the state’s labor law.   Passed Assembly 110-28, passed Senate 43-4.

So, why is this important to you?  Because we all need to know the state we’re in.  Slowly but surely, promises are being broken, bills are passed that are not in the best interest of the taxpayers of Upstate New York, and deals are being made.  And clearly not good deals.  It’s time that our elected officials started making deals that benefit us.  Perhaps a deal on a property tax cap.

If you’re familiar with the game show Deal or No Deal, I’ve always enjoyed when the host, Howie Mandel, asks the contestant if they will take the dealer’s deal on the show.  For about 4 or 5 seconds you’re on the edge of your seat wondering whether or not they will take the money.  So, as I sit on the edge of my seat, I ask…what’s up Albany?  Deal or no deal?

So, what do we do now? What we’ve been doing…we wait.  No matter the outcome, Judgment Day still approaches….just 116 days away!

So, for the past 3 months, what has been going on? What are we still waiting for? What state are we in?  Let’s take a look at the good, the bad and the UGLY!

The Good

• The Governor has stated publicly to support no borrowing in the budget plan
• UU social media campaign experienced record growth to over 19,000 fans – indicative of significant voter dismay.
• UU developed and pushed $12 billion in acceptable, recurring spending cuts
• 2 dozen business groups traveled to Albany to opposition against Dirty Dozen
• Unshackle Upstate has submitted a REAL property tax cap legislation similar to Massachusetts Proposition 2.5

The Bad

• Governor – had to issue a drop dead date for the budget (not necessarily a good one) to be passed by June 28^th
• Upstate NY continues to be the home of the 10 highest taxed counties in the country as percentage of home value.
• Legislators have yet to enact the $12 billion dollar proposed budget cuts
• NY’s Medicaid budget stays greater than the entire budget of more than 43 states.
• A property tax cap has still not been put in place to offer ALL residents of NY some tax relief
• The Senate passed the prevailing wage mandate for service workers which will extend wage mandate requirements to private businesses with a focus on energy companies (more taxes for us!)

The UGLY

• The budget has YET to be passed (Are we even shocked?)
• Paterson’s budget proposal includes $2 billion added to the budget, $1.4 billion in new taxes
• Spending levels would increase about 4% over the current budget
• Legislators want to control growth instead of cutting spending… (Hello! It’s still growing!)

What does all of this mean?

It means you’ve got to speak up, you’ve got to get your voice heard…and you have 137 days left to make it happen!  Send a letter, send an e-mail, make a phone call and tell your legislator that you are not happy! http://bit.ly/8ZFjCp

The Judgment Day Scorecard (click here for sample) will be frequently updated to provide New Yorkers with information on how each of the 212 legislators vote on various pro-taxpayer and job creator legislation, as well as on this year’s state budget. So by the time November 2, 2010 rolls around…you’ll know exactly what to do!

Judgment Day is coming…let them know that we’re watching!