Issues: Local Government

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) announced that legislation he has cosponsored passed the New York State Senate today.  Senate bill, S.547, introduced by Senator Betty Little, would allow towns throughout New York State to set the maximum speed limit on roads within their jurisdiction.

Senator Jack M. Martins was a guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Manhasset Men’s Luncheon Club at the Congregational Church of Manhasset. Senator Martins spoke about the executive budget proposed by the Governor and the need to continue to pass budgets in the state without raising any taxes or fees. Senator Martins also spoke about the current pension system and how local governments and school districts are burdened with having to fund the pension system during difficult economic times. Senator Martins explained that current employees’ pensions are protected by the New York State Constitution. However, going forward, he supports Governor Cuomo’s proposal for a Tier VI, which includes an option for a defined benefit plan, as well as a higher contribution rate.

Eliminates Bureaucratic Red-Tape Preventing Experienced Cops From Landing New Jobs

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I – 59th District) introduced legislation today to allow the 20 recently laid-off Niagara Transportation Authority (NFTA) police officers to transfer to law enforcement job openings that may exist with nearby departments.

State Senator Jack M. Martins and the OKKK Karate School in Elmont hosted a Karate Tournament exposition at the Dutch Broadway School this past weekend. Well over 1,000 competitors, fans and families came through the tournament to watch competitors demonstrate kata, kobudo and kumite in the martial arts. Sensei Serge Clark and Senator Martins teamed together to put on the day which hosted over 270 competitors in medal winning action.

“Doubles Your Tax Savings” But Applications are Due March 1

Local Governments Need Relief From MTA Payroll Tax

If you’ll indulge me, I’d ask you to imagine a very complex flow chart, one with a jumble of miniscule numbers and overlapping arrows pointing in every direction that are nearly impossible to decipher. That’s what government bureaucracies tend to create. But in my years of public service, I happen to have gotten pretty good at analyzing these labyrinths, tracing their complexities back to their respective centers. What’s more, I can now almost always predict what you’ll find there: an overburdened taxpayer that doesn’t know what hit him.

Senator Martins Is Lone Member From Long Island

The New York State Mandate Relief Council, which was created as part of the tax cap legislation that went into law this year, met for the first time on Wednesday, January 25. Senator Jack M. Martins, the lone member from Long Island to sit on the 11-member council, said he is looking forward to working with his fellow council members to bring relief to local governments and school districts.

The council will be charged with reviewing mandates that are passed on to local governments and school districts. The elimination or modification of some of the regulations will result in costs savings for local governments and school district, which can then pass on the savings to taxpayers.