Issues: Landlines

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled the proposed 2013-14Executive Budget and Management Plan that builds on two years of balanced, fiscally responsible budgeting and invests in economic development, education reform, rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, provides support to local governments and school districts, and includes no new taxes or fees.

Highlights of the Executive Budget:

· Eliminates $1.3 billion budget gap with no new taxes or fees. The expected gap for 2013-14 was projected to be $17.4 billion prior to the last two responsible budgets.

· Holds spending increases below 2 percent for third consecutive year.

Governor Cuomo released the following announcement on March 27, 2012:

The Budget continues the Governor’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while creating jobs and strengthening communities across the state. It closes a multi-billion dollar deficit with no new taxes, fees or gimmicks, limits spending growth to two percent or below for the second year in a row, and launches the New York Works Task Force to invest billions of dollars to rebuild the state's roads, bridges, parks, and other infrastructure and create tens of thousands of jobs.

News From New York StateSenator Shirley L. HuntleyFor Immediate ReleaseMedia Contact: Lisa King │404.587.4496 │lisaking530@gmail.com

Senate Bill Protecting Consumers from Telemarketers Signed into Law Senator Shirley L. Huntley: ‘Do Not Call’ law just got stronger

(Jamaica, NY) Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) announced that a new law guaranteeing consumers greater protection (S.6034) from annoying telemarketers has been signed into law. The Senate’s new law further reduces unwanted telemarketing calls by restricting them to the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and requiring greater disclosure by companies to protect consumers from deceptive marketing practices.

(Albany) - State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo (R-IP-C, Rome) today reacted with alarm to Albany’s plan to renege on a commitment for matching funds for sorely needed high-speed Internet access to North Country homes and businesses.

Senate and Assembly Democrats stripped $100 million in funding from the state budget for broadband matching grants, including at least $2 million that, together with federal stimulus funding, was planned for projects in rural St. Lawrence County, according to a story in today’s Journal News.

“Democrats called their plan a ‘roadmap,’ but cutting funds for programs that are tied to job growth and economic revitalization can only lead to a dead end for North Country jobs and businesses,” Griffo said.