There’s an understanding that many employees who get pensions have some of our state’s most important and often dangerous jobs: teachers, firefighters, and policemen.  They deserve to be compensated for what they do.  They teach our kids and protect our communities.  But what’s there to teach and protect if we can’t afford to have kids or maintain our communities?  The state can no longer afford to support these public sector pension plans.

Pensions and benefits used to compensate for low salaries in public sector jobs.  However, public sector employees are no longer making less than those employed in the private sector.  In many cases public employees are making more.  In 2009 federal civil servants earned an average of $123,000 in pay and benefits.  Private employees only made an average of $61,000 in total compensation that year.  Public employees with pensions can also afford to retire earlier, garnering their pension checks much sooner than private sector employees could even think about dipping into their 401K’s.

Today tax payer burdens are especially exacerbated by the recession.  New York State’s own Common Retirement Fund (that holds the money that pays for pensions) lost $40 billion in 2007-2008.  New York State is responsible for keeping the third largest pension fund in the country afloat.  Yet, employees only need to contribute 0-3% of their salaries to their retirement plans where employers (largely state and local governments) must find a way to dole out nearly 16% of those salaries.  When asset returns are low (like during the recession) it is the taxpayer who is stuck paying the difference.

The pension system does not necessarily need to be scrapped, but it does need to be adjusted.  Employees need to contribute a higher percent of their own incomes to start.  They should also not be retiring quite as early as they have been.  New York tax payers cannot afford it.  These defined benefit plans don’t need to remain the only option to public employees either.  Defined contribution plans, like a 401K, would encourage employee participation and allow those who do not decide to spend their entire careers in the public sector to take their plans with them.

Our public employees deserve to be compensated for what they do.  But New York tax payers do not deserve to be punished in the process.  Public benefits were created to make public and private compensation more comparable.  Compensation needs to be comparable again.  The pension system must be redesigned to be predictable and affordable for the best interest of every New Yorker.

With three meetings under our belts, enthusiasm is running high among members of the Finger Lakes Regional Council.

It’s not that we’ve drunk the Kool-Aid on New York state’s future. We realize there are a lot of challenges ahead on the road to economic resurgence, some of our own making and some imposed by the national and global economies. And the recent flooding in parts of Upstate certainly didn’t help.

But the Regional Council – one of 10 in the state – has been charged with drafting a strategic economic development plan for our area. As part of the process of creating this plan, we’ve been about assessing our nine-county region – its strengths, its struggles, its unfulfilled promise.

That part has been pretty easy, because the truth is, there are a lot of positive attributes about life in the Finger Lakes, attributes that the Regional Council is hoping to capitalize upon in its economic development plan.

Many of these are noted in our Regional Council’s vision statement, which we’re still tweaking in preparation for our final report, due to Gov. Cuomo on Nov. 14. The statement refers to our region’s sustainable natural resources, its assets as a tourist destination, its expansive arts and cultural offerings. Even more importantly, in terms of stimulating job creation, it talks about our diverse, well educated and dedicated workforce. Put these together with our proven history of community collaboration, our celebrated entrepreneurial spirit, the unparalleled intellectual capital and products held by local businesses and our institutes of higher learning, and it offers a great recipe for success.

But what’s also sparked our enthusiasm is the process. On this council, I am one of 21 representatives from across the region, people from business, labor, and government, all coming together to openly share expertise and ideas. There have been some complaints that there isn’t sufficient representation on the committee, but I don’t agree.

The committee is made of major stakeholders in the process, and their task is to oversee a region-wide process that includes many opportunities for community engagement, with three more public engagement sessions to be held before the Nov. 14 report deadline. I’ve also heard people complaining that it’s the same old ideas being put forth by the same people, calling it a sign that the region lacks the creativity needed to succeed in economic development creativity. But I disagree with that, too. I believe that what this really demonstrates is that we, as a region, have clearly identified our assets and our obstacles, and that we are focused on our vision – creating jobs and growing our economy.

While I don’t want to give the impression that this council process will solve all our region’s economic problems, or those of any other region in New York, I do believe that we need to credit the state with an important change in course. This process is designed to engage communities more in their own futures, to make the state more nimble and responsive, to invest taxpayer money more wisely. It is a coordinated approach, so that when a project comes to the Regional Council, the people who can make it happen – the regional leaders, the economic development professionals, and the state agencies – will all be there in one place, poised to act.

Perhaps you have a project in mind? Now’s the time to share your vision.

And as if that won’t be challenging enough, some are now also using  this as an opportunity to challenge the new property tax cap. Already we are hearing that the cap, which was passed this last session, will hinder the clean-up efforts.  Some local government officials are saying that the cap ties their hands in what can be raised to make the repairs.

In the face of such a difficult challenge and so much personal suffering, blaming the cap is easy. It lets us fall back on the excuse that “this is how we’ve always done it. “  But before we allow ourselves to go down that familiar, dead end road – and I’m sure many more attempted challenges to the cap lie ahead – let’s instead try to get creative about how we do things.

Let’s think: What can be changed that will allow local governments to rebuild, and do it cost effectively and under the cap?.  Here are a few suggestions:

• When reconstructing or repairing government buildings, suspend the Wick’s Law which by requiring  4  prime contracts raises project costs.  NYC schools have been exempt from the law for years and the savings are well documented;
• Eliminate any Project Labor Agreement (PLA) or Prevailing Wage requirements, which also drive up construction cost;
• Advance to the Governor for his signature a bill by Sen. Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Heastie which calls for the obtaining best value for contracts for public work and purchase contracts;
• Allow for alternative project delivery, specifically design build, which yields a greater return on investment than traditional design bid build.

For years, many have argued that construction mandates make public works project more expensive.  Others say the additional cost is negligible.  Either way, Irene offers us a chance to study the effects of these laws by temporarily suspending them so that the rebuilding process can start immediately.  At the same time, we can compare project costs with past projects and determine once and for all if these construction mandates do cost more.

Our thoughts and sympathies go out to those affected by the storm.  But New York can help them rebound by fixing the construction mandates we identified.  Suspending the laws will also help our local governments control their costs so that they don’t feel the need to override the tax cap…which in the end would be another costly blow to residents of the affected areas.

This is from Dave S. We thank him for sharing his story, and invite you to do the same.  

“I read Steve Sink’s article in the business section of the Sunday Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, in which you were mentioned, regarding the potential for Albany to become the next Madison, Wisc.
 
One item of interest in the article, and the reason that I am writing to you now, was the point about how the recent recession has resulted in an imbalance of public vs. private sector pay and benefits.  The recession resulted in loss of jobs and salary cuts that few, if any, in the public sector experienced. 

I thought about this, and realized that there is another key point that needs to be made clear to all regarding this growing imbalance.  As bad and as long as this recession has been, it still is only a “point” on a business cycle.  The overlooked, and larger cause of imbalance has been and continues to be a trend – globalization!
 
Although it is a favorite vote winning topic for many politicians, America continues to lose private sector jobs to more cost competitive countries.  The corporations are made out to be the bad guys, but the fact of the matter is that corporations, like any consumer, are obligated to get the most value for their investment dollars.  We in the private sector may not like losing our jobs, but if we truly believe in the benefits of free market economies, we ultimately cannot object.
 
I myself just recently lost my job of 26 years, because the corporation decided to move its development operation to India.  This was not a recession related decision, but due to the recession, the timing could not have been worse. 

I was fortunate to find a job that I enjoy, however, even a small percentage of the cut in salary and benefits that I experienced would probably have the overly compensated public sector employee protesting in the streets (while continuing to be paid for the job they aren’t doing).
 
The public sector is immune to globalization. 

We can’t outsource our teachers, highway department, police, or other public workers to China or India.  They are fortunate, but the fact that they cannot even comprehend how this is straining the tax base, the people who provide their paycheck, is truly galling. 

I watched 60 Minutes a few weeks back, as a teacher confronted the governor of New Jersey and his proposed budget cuts, saying “you are not compensating me for my education!”  All I could think is, what an idiot.  Doesn’t this teacher realize that thousands of engineers with advanced degrees would be told that they would no longer be compensated for any education, as they lost their jobs to those overseas who could do it for less?  Perhaps she does, but frankly, doesn’t give a damn!”

Please take a moment to read EJ’s opinion on the property tax cap as well as state spending.  He is, as is often the case, right on the mark.  http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Limits-on-spending-and-property-taxes-are-critical-933717.php

The time for talking is over.  It is time to take action.  It is time to lower our tax burden and return New York to the Empire State we know and love.  Take a moment and send a note to your elected official and tell them you want a CAP and you want it now (http://bit.ly/fzO9LA).

Well, I believe there is hope.  Gov.-elect Cuomo’s plans align with our core principles.  For the past few years, Unshackle has clearly stated what needs to take place if our economy is to recover.  There are four keys actions government must take:

• Reduce state and local spending
• Reduce mandates on our taxpayers, local governments and school districts
• Reduce taxes, fees and assessment
• Reduce and lower state debt

What ails New York is as clear as the nose on your face -spending is growing faster than revenue.  It’s illogical to require taxpayers and businesses to adjust their spending based on revenue while the state simply creates more revenue through new taxes and fees, rather than cutting spending.  If this vicious cycle continues, it will surely lead to an even slower recovery and the loss of more jobs to other states and other countries.

At the center of New York’s spending problem are three cost drivers: education, Medicaid and labor.  Collectively, they account for more than 66 percent of state-controlled spending.  And after years of collective growth in these areas, 17 cents out of every dollar collected goes to pay down the state’s debt. Our state’s income taxes are now 22 percent higher than the national average, our local property taxes are 79 percent higher.

That’s simply unacceptable.  So as step one, we’re asking you to send a message to your  state legislators demanding support for a property tax cap with accompanying mandate relief for local governments.  All this talk of a circuit breaker instead of a property tax cap completely misses the point.  Without capping or reducing spending, a circuit breaker merely moves money around, reducing certain people’s tax bills while raising taxes for others. It does nothing to solve the root cause of the state’s skyrocketing property taxes. And the root cause is out-of-control spending.

The way to improve our economy is by lowering taxes and encouraging private sector job growth.  The simple fact is when people have more money, they will spend it in their communities. And that creates economic recovery.  Sure, we’re all frustrated, even discouraged. But now is not the time to give up.  You are the voice that Albany needs to hear. And we need everyone on board to make that voice louder.

Take the first step by sending your legislator a letter about the importance of a 2-percent tax cap.  Our work is just beginning.  Don’t be shy, join the fight!

I am enthusiastic that we can change the way our state government views the taxpayers and private sector businesses.  We can tell them clearly that the tax and spend program of yesterday must go away and be replaced with sound financial planning and a willingness to cut taxes to give us more and create more jobs.  How can we do that? By voting out those that have turned their backs on us.  It’s really a simple process.

Tomorrow, we can vote for 25 people that have made a commitment to us that they want to help fix what is broken.  That they are willing to cut spending, lower taxes, and create more private sector jobs.  That they will be independent thinkers that will act in the best interest of all of us, not just a few of us.

Please take the time to get educated and get to the polls.  The list of candidates below represent Unshackle Upstate endorsed candidates for tomorrow’s election. A vote for them is a vote for YOU. Get out and cast a vote tomorrow for our future… YOUR future.

NYS Comptroller:

Harry Wilson

NYS Senate:

• 45th District: Betty Little (R,C,I)
• 48th District: Patricia Ritchie (R,C,Taxpayers)
• 49th District: Andrew Russo (R,C,Taxpayers)
• 53rd District: Tom O’Mara (R,C)
• 57th District: Catharine M. Young (R,C,I)
• 58th District: Jack Quinn (R,Taxpayers)
• 59th District: Patrick Gallivan (R)
• 61st District: Michael Ranzenhofer (R,C,I)
• 62nd District: George D. Maziarz (R,C,I,WFP)

NYS Assembly:

• 105th District: George Amedore (R,C,I)
• 108th District: Steve McLaughlin (R,C,Taxpayers)
• 112th District: Tony Jordan (R,C,I)
• 122nd District: Ken Blankenbush (R,C)
• 125th District: Tom Reynolds (R,C,I)
• 128th District: Robert Oaks (R,C)
• 129th District: Brian Kolb (R)
• 130th District: David Nachbar (D)
• 131st District: Kenneth Krause (R,C,I)
• 134th District: William Reilich (R,C,I)
• 138th District: John Ceretto (R,C,I,Taxpayers)
• 139th District: Stephen Hawley (R,C,I)
• 142nd District: Jane Corwin (R,C,I)
• 144th District: Brian Biggie (R,Taxpayers)
• 146th District: Kevin Smardz (R,I,Taxpayers)

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!

But I implore you, don’t let your disgust with campaigning discourage you from heading to the polls on Nov. 2.  Because this year, it is more important than ever that you vote.

Unshackle Upstate has renamed Election Day as Judgment Day for the New York State Legislature. That’s because there is so much at stake – specifically the future direction of New York state and its economy. And who we, the voters of this state, choose to send to the Capitol can significantly affect that outcome.

Voters will choose a new governor and lieutenant governor. They will also vote on state comptroller, attorney general and all 212 seats in the Legislature.  It is our chance to take back our state government, to put in office people who will do what’s best for New York – control spending, lower taxes and create jobs.

Just by casting your ballot, you remind all elected officials that your approval is neither automatic nor to be taken for granted. They have to earn your vote with service, and that means acting in the best interest of taxpayers to lower state spending and reduce taxes.

But for whom you cast that ballot will also send a strong message.

New Yorkers have long paid some of the highest taxes in the nation. Yet in the last two years, the Legislature passed laws that hit the average family with $1,300 in new taxes and fees.

This summer, US News reported that, over the past two years, New York’s per-capita state tax hikes totaled $414 per person – far more than any state including California, which has raised taxes by $312 per capita. According to the report, New York by itself accounted for 29 percent of all the state tax increases proposed and enacted since 2009.

The 2010-11 budget added $1.2 billion in new taxes, in large part to cover the whopping $136 billion spending bill and close an enormous – and growing – budget gap. Lawmakers balanced the budget by relying on their usual one-shots and temporary enhancements, not by addressing the state’s spending problems.

That makes it certain that the budget gap will just continue to rear its ugly head.  In fact, the comptroller estimates the state will face a cumulative spending gap that could exceed $37 billion through its fiscal year 2013-14, largely because lawmakers have failed to find a permanent solution to the discrepancies between spending and revenues.

Now when something like that happens in our homes and business, we have only one choice. We are forced to tighten our belts, to purchase only what we can afford. New York hasn’t done that, and we’re all paying the price – in lost jobs and neighbors, as people leave the area for better, more affordable opportunities.

That’s why who you choose to send to Albany is so critical. We need lawmakers who understand the dire realities and are willing to be leaders, to step up and be accountable for the tough decisions it will take to fix this mess.

If you’re uncertain who that is, I urge you to get informed on your candidate choices. For starters, check out the endorsements made by Unshackle Upstate as well as its Legislative Scorecards.

I’ve heard the anti-incumbent calls to “throw out the bums,” but I don’t buy them. There are incumbent legislators who get it, and who have done an admirable job of representing their constituents. But in cases where that hasn’t happened, new blood is needed.

I don’t necessarily support term limits, either. Why? Because you, the voter, have the right to impose term limits every time there is an election. If you don’t like what your representative is doing, you simply vote for his or her challenger and put a new person in office.

So again, I implore you to exercise that right. Cut through the campaign rhetoric, and make a choice for a better future. Vote on Judgment Day, Nov. 2.

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!