Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Budget Plan Stops Short of Real Change

December 7, 2009 Contributor
A four-week special session came to a frustrating close this week after Albany failed to pass a Deficit Reduction Plan that structurally solved any of the state’s financial troubles. It’s true that the legislature, after majority-party political infighting that wasted time and taxpayer dollars, managed to close a substantial portion of the budget gap. However, this deficit reduction plan fell well short of any meaningful reform. Therefore, the majorities ensured that problems we’re facing today will continue to carryover next year and into the future.

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Deficit Looms as Inaction Presides

November 16, 2009 Contributor
I can summarize last week’s trip to Albany in one word: frustrating. It’s not easy to bring both the State Senate and Assembly together on relatively short notice for a special session like the one called by the Governor on Nov. 10. If results were the outcome, it would have been well worth the time. However, our efforts were mostly in vain last week.

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Veterans Day Reminds Us Importance of Right to Vote

November 15, 2009 Contributor
Last week we cast our vote. In a non-presidential election, voter turnout is historically lower, however, no less important. It’s here that we decide who will represent us to decide how taxpayer dollars are spent and determine public policy. To be able to vote in an election is a right our forefathers fought for and is just one more reason we should be mindful and appreciative of our veterans this week.

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

New Utility Assessments Exemplify Poor Public Policy

October 5, 2009 Contributor
Beginning this summer, utility bills began to feature a new fee called the “Utility Tax Service Conservation Assessment.” This is now listed on all utility bills. Though a modest fee for most households, it is, nonetheless, another state fee and exists thanks to the budget that passed in the spring. I am urging for the repeal of this assessment to prevent more money from going to our already bloated state budget.

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