No Picture
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

A Review of the Governor’s State of the State Address

The Governor’s State of the State address this week primarily focused on the seriousness of the state’s fiscal situation. The speech was more subdued and void of the usual ‘rah, rah’ tone Governors have taken in years past. Instead, his speech focused on the economy, and specifically how vital it is for New York to keep a balanced budget.

[…]

No Picture
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Looking Back at 2009 Provides Multiple Reasons for Change in 2010

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.

[…]

No Picture
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

To a Healthier New Year

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.

[…]

No Picture
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Ethics Reform Bill Would Establish More Guidelines for Public Officials

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.

[…]

No Picture
Community

Item Drive for Troops a Success: Pulaski VFW and Ladies Auxiliary Send Stockings Full of Gifts to Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) today thanked the community for donating to the annual item drive for troops held by the Pulaski Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary. The organizations ensure that several hundred deployed military and their families receive Christmas presents, stockings and decorated Christmas trees in time for the holidays. For the past three years, Assemblyman Barclay’s office has assisted in the drive.

[…]

No Picture
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Budget Plan Stops Short of Real Change

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.

[…]

No Picture
Community

Barclay Sponsors Legislation that Provides State Tax Credit for New Home Owners

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) said today he is pleased to join lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to sponsor legislation that, if passed, will give home buyers who purchase a newly constructed home a $7,000 state income tax credit for up to three years.

[…]