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As always, Senate Republicans stand ready to work with the Governor and Assembly to ensure the State’s budget is structurally balanced. Shortly after we complete a full review of the Budget Division’s mid-year report we will release our own estimates.    

Senate Republicans continue to believe that it is both possible and necessary to manage next year’s budget much like we did this year, when the Legislature and Governor eliminated a much larger deficit without raising taxes.   Our top priorities must be promoting the growth of businesses, increasing jobs, and building a stronger economy.

The first annual Unidad Latina conference held in New York City this weekend was an enormous success that brought together hundreds of people from the Hispanic community in New York, including leaders from business, education, health care and government to discuss ways to promote economic growth and job creation.  The conference was organized by the New York State Senate and the Hispanic Federation.

“Today is a very historic day for the members of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and the entire Greek American community. As the grandson of Greek immigrants, I have worked for years to ensure that this church was rebuilt, and thanks to Archbishop Demetrios, Governor Cuomo, Mayor Bloomberg and countless others, we have finally achieved that reality. Rebuilding St. Nicholas Church at Ground Zero will stand as a strong and hopeful symbol to the world of the revitalization of New York and a fitting reminder of the spiritual journey we have taken together since 9/11.”

“I urge the federal government to expedite approval for this important project which will create tens of thousands of jobs. Major investments in infrastructure are exactly what New York needs to jumpstart our economy and restore safety to heavily traveled bridges and other arteries. I commend Governor Cuomo and Senator Fuschillo, the Chairman of the Senate's Transportation Committee, for their leadership on this critical project.”

The approval of a new five-year contract by CSEA is a victory for all New Yorkers. I applaud Governor Cuomo, CSEA President Danny Donohue and the members of CSEA for achieving a deal that will save taxpayers $73 million this fiscal year, and will help ensure a balanced state budget, avert layoffs and maintain vital state services.  

In the wake of Caylee Anthony’s tragic murder case and the murder of eight-year-old Leiby Kletzky in Brooklyn, legislation has been introduced in the New York State Senate that would make sweeping, comprehensive changes to the state’s child protection laws to help protect children from cruel and repeated abuse. The bill, called the “Protect Our Children Act” (S.5862), is sponsored by Senators Mark Grisanti (R, North Buffalo), Stephen Saland (R-I-C, Poughkeepsie), Andrew Lanza (R-I, Staten Island), Greg Ball (R-C, Pawling) and Charles Fuschillo (R, Merrick). 

The New York State Senate today announced enactment of an historic property tax relief law that caps the growth of local property taxes.

The Governor signed the law passed by the Senate on June 24, 2011, and sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos. The law caps school and local government taxes to less than two percent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower. The new law also includes $127 million in mandate relief savings to local governments, in addition to the creation of a Mandate Relief Council to identify and repeal unsound, unduly burdensome laws and regulations.

The New York State Senate today passed historic property tax relief legislation that enacts a cap on the growth of local property taxes. The bill (S.5856), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos, will cap school and local government taxes to less than two percent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower. Mandate relief is also included, with $127 million in savings to local governments, in addition to the creation of a Mandate Relief Council to identify and repeal unsound, unduly burdensome laws and regulations.

After many hours of deliberation and discussion over the past several weeks among the members, it has been decided that same sex marriage legislation will be brought to the full Senate for an up or down vote.   The entire Senate Republican Conference was insistent that amendments be made to the Governor’s original bill in order to protect the rights of religious institutions and not-for-profits  with religious affiliations.  I appreciate the Governor’s cooperation in working with us to address these important issues and concerns. As I have said many times, this is a very difficult issue and it will be a vote of conscience for every member of the Senate.