NY Gov. Delivers Important State Of The State Address
Governor David Paterson unveiled a set of sweeping proposals to crack down on political corruption -- including term limits for all state office holders -- and promote financial stability, during his second State of the State Address today.
"I stand before all New Yorkers with a bold and decisive plan to rebuild our State’s economy into a national model of ingenuity and strength, to rebuild our people’s confidence in the stability of our state," Paterson said in his second State of the State address, "To rebuild our manufacturing base to meet the energy standards of this enlightened age and to rebuild the trust that the citizens of this great state once had in their government."
Paterson is calling for more ethics oversight and to limit statewide officials to two four-year terms and members of the state Legislature to six two-year terms.
That reform would require an amendment to the State Constitution.
The Reform Albany Act would also create an independent Government Ethics Commission to monitor campaign finance, pay-to-play, and good government groups.
The state would provide matching funds to candidates for state office, limit lobbyist contributions, and ban corporate contributions. “The days of running New York like a payday loan operation must come to an end," said the governor.
It would also strip lawmakers of pensions if they convicted of a felony.
Paterson also renewed his call for a spending cap, once again saying he will not "mortgage our children's future."
“I know this idea has met resistance from the usual suspects in the past,” Paterson said. “But, just as I had fought for reforms to the Rockefeller drug laws, I will fight for this spending cap no matter how long it takes, even if it requires a constitutional amendment.”
In response to the governor's address, State Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican, blamed Democratic members of the Legislature for the state's financial crisis.
"Instead of using stimulus funds to balance the budget, reduce taxes or create jobs – the Democrats in the Senate and Assembly spent every dime, then they raised your taxes and spent even more," said Skelos, pictured right. "Now, Governor Paterson says things will be different. He again said he will not raise spending or taxes. We certainly hope this time he really means it." In addition to introducing ethics and economic reform, Paterson unveiled the Excelsior Jobs Program, which will provide tax incentives for targeted growth industries; the Sustainable Neighborhoods Project, which will revitalize housing in urban areas; and, the Manufacturing Legacy Program, to promote manufacturing in the state.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said that while he does agree with all of Paterson’s proposals laid out today, he said he believes change is necessary.
“Governor Paterson has laid out an ambitious agenda to try and restore some of that faith. I don’t agree with everything in that agenda, but I do agree that state government needs to take a serious look in the mirror. And that self-examination should include a real reconsideration of our budget process.”
"I stand before all New Yorkers with a bold and decisive plan to rebuild our State’s economy into a national model of ingenuity and strength, to rebuild our people’s confidence in the stability of our state," Paterson said in his second State of the State address, "To rebuild our manufacturing base to meet the energy standards of this enlightened age and to rebuild the trust that the citizens of this great state once had in their government."
Paterson is calling for more ethics oversight and to limit statewide officials to two four-year terms and members of the state Legislature to six two-year terms.
That reform would require an amendment to the State Constitution.
The Reform Albany Act would also create an independent Government Ethics Commission to monitor campaign finance, pay-to-play, and good government groups.
It would also strip lawmakers of pensions if they convicted of a felony.
Paterson also renewed his call for a spending cap, once again saying he will not "mortgage our children's future."
“I know this idea has met resistance from the usual suspects in the past,” Paterson said. “But, just as I had fought for reforms to the Rockefeller drug laws, I will fight for this spending cap no matter how long it takes, even if it requires a constitutional amendment.”
In response to the governor's address, State Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican, blamed Democratic members of the Legislature for the state's financial crisis.
"Instead of using stimulus funds to balance the budget, reduce taxes or create jobs – the Democrats in the Senate and Assembly spent every dime, then they raised your taxes and spent even more," said Skelos, pictured right. "Now, Governor Paterson says things will be different. He again said he will not raise spending or taxes. We certainly hope this time he really means it." In addition to introducing ethics and economic reform, Paterson unveiled the Excelsior Jobs Program, which will provide tax incentives for targeted growth industries; the Sustainable Neighborhoods Project, which will revitalize housing in urban areas; and, the Manufacturing Legacy Program, to promote manufacturing in the state.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said that while he does agree with all of Paterson’s proposals laid out today, he said he believes change is necessary.
“Governor Paterson has laid out an ambitious agenda to try and restore some of that faith. I don’t agree with everything in that agenda, but I do agree that state government needs to take a serious look in the mirror. And that self-examination should include a real reconsideration of our budget process.”
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