Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Looking Back at 2009 Provides Multiple Reasons for Change in 2010

January 6, 2010 Contributor
This year proved to have its many challenges and disappointments. Perhaps the year’s greatest disappointment, however, was the budget that passed in the spring of 2009. It contained $8.2 billion in taxes and fee increases and increased government spending by 10 percent. As a result, the average family of four will pay an extra $2,362 in higher taxes and fees this year.

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

To a Healthier New Year

December 20, 2009 Contributor
New York was recently named as one of the most prepared states in the nation in the event of a health emergency. We were one of eight states to achieve this distinction, according to national organizations that annually compare state public health policies and performance. We have people in the public and private health sectors collaborating effectively to provide a safe state and establish our state as an example for others. It takes many hours of planning and hard work to earn this type of designation.

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Ethics Reform Bill Would Establish More Guidelines for Public Officials

December 17, 2009 Contributor
This spring the Assembly passed stronger ethics legislation that would improve oversight for public officials and create a more open government. As the ranking member of the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Guidance as well as a member of the Legislative Ethics Committee, I strongly support this legislation and sponsor the bill. Though the Assembly passed this bill, it has since stalled in the Senate. Former Senate leader Joe Bruno’s conviction should provide the Senate with the catalyst to pass this bill.

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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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