Reforming Property Taxes – Relieving the Burden

I remain committed to implementing a comprehensive solution to the property tax crisis. It is essential that we adopt legislation to provide much-needed relief, strengthen our commitment to excellence in education and demand a transparent and fair funding formula.

We must control and reduce spending in order to cut taxes. We can do this by eliminating unfunded mandates, consolidating school district services, demanding Washington pay it commitment to special education and capping the tax levy.

A comprehensive approach of capping the rate of growth, implementing an income-based model and combating growth in spending will provide the relief we so desperately need.


Making Fuel Affordable – Investing in Alternative Technologies

With fuel costs hitting record highs, many wonder how we will make ends meet. We must eliminate the state sales tax on motor fuels and implement several measures to ease the burden we face with high home heating costs.

We must make it easier to implement alternative technologies, invest in alternatives to fuel and adopt a statewide energy plan. We can wane our dependency on foreign oil by investing and inventing at home.


Enhancing Education – Provoking a Revolution in Education

We need to revolutionize our education system. Focus on early childhood development, implement greater access to technology, partner with the private sector and excite our kids to learn.

We also need a State Inspector General for Education to investigate criminal activity and fraud; a comprehensive reform of school spending and the mandates burdening our schools and teacher; state takeover of retirement, healthcare costs and special education costs; a commitment from the federal government to pay for its share of special education; and a means to implement energy savings and access to alternate energy in our schools.

We must partner – parents, teachers, administrators, communities and industry – to design programs that will give our kids a head start, pursue careers in areas of study that make them more competitive in the global market place, while encouraging creativity and innovation.


Cutting Healthcare Costs – Access for All

Too many New Yorkers are faced with the dilemma of not being able to afford vital medical care. We must continue to combat fraud and waste in order to reduce costs to the consumer. Health savings accounts, small business and personal tax credits, providing incentives to implement new technologies and promoting preventative care will drive down costs and provide greater access for all.


Reforming State Government – Demanding More with Less

We must hold the Assembly accountable and it’s time Albany cleans up its mess. Reforming the Member Item process, providing greater accessibility and transparency and implementing stricter ethics laws is a start.

Term limits on statewide elected officials and legislative leadership positions will protect against the consolidation of power. Real campaign finance reform and greater accountability is what it will take to make real change in Albany.


Investing in our Communities – Protecting our Environment

By “mending the broken windows” we can make our communities greater! Cleaning up litter and graffiti, installing street lights, improving infrastructure, repairing run-down buildings, improving parks and schools and involving the community will help to keep our streets safe and preserve our village and city centers.

Protecting the Environmental Protection Fund, implementing wetland and watershed protection measures and supporting agriculture will expand our recycling efforts, protect farming and preserve our fragile quality of life.

Supporting local planning efforts, encouraging regional planning efforts and investing is sustainable economic development will grow jobs, help to plan for the long-term and improve community character.