As I’ve said many times before, good government puts people ahead of politics. Elected representatives are not in office to serve a political party, but everyone. I’m proud of the fact that my office operates without regard to party affiliation and, of the more than 50 bills I sponsored that passed the Senate this year, all but a handful passed unanimously and not one passed along party lines.
Last week was a big week for our region. I am relieved that we are finally drawing the 2010-11 budget process to a close. It has not been easy. We all want an on-time budget, but the struggle here was making sure that our priorities are addressed in that budget.
As I write this column in advance of legislative session on Monday, when we will have to consider another budget extender, it is still uncertain what the final outcome will be. Some are pushing to shut down state government as a means to force a budget agreement.
Memorial Day is an important holiday with a nearly 150 year history here in New York State. It is a time to pause and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by so many brave men and women in defense of our way of life. This loss of life should never be forgotten and our thoughts and prayers for our Soldiers should not be limited to just one day. […]
With all that is frustrating in Albany right now—the budget deadlock, the lack of an Assembly companion to Power for Jobs legislation, the reintroduction of the farm labor bill—there has been good news. The Senate has passed more legislation to benefit agriculture than any year in recent memory. […]
Last week, in this column, I discussed the previous week’s action by the Senate Agriculture Committee in support of farm workers, farmers and consumers through a bipartisan vote to kill the bill in committee. This is one sign that changes I pushed for and helped enact last year have begun to restore the people’s voice in state government. […]
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