Message from State Senator Liz Krueger
A Note About Arizona: We were all shocked and saddened by the violent rampage targeted against a Congresswoman, her staff and other bystanders earlier this month. Much that is right and wrong has already been written about who, beyond the deranged gunman, bears any level of responsibility for this tragedy. The one thing that really weighs on my mind is: why does it remain so easy for the wrong people to get guns and munitions in this country? What if the same man in the same situation only had the use of his fists?
As the new legislative session starts, with a new Governor at the helm, I feel that it is within our grasp to see real progress in Albany and change in the way we govern this State. Some would say I am just a cockeyed optimist - but isn't that what representative democracy is all about? Government's job is to right the wrongs, and constantly adapt to new needs. There is much to be done, and people who don't have a vision for fixing things aren't likely to accomplish much.
I attended Governor Andrew Cuomo's first State of the State Address on January 5th, and it was clear that everyone was on message about the need for real reform. Leaders from both houses and both parties applauded the Governor's calls for the re-engineering of government and the implementing of a variety of important reforms. Whether that consensus will last as we move from rhetoric to actual governing remains to be seen, but at least everyone is acknowledging the seriousness of the situation in which we find ourselves.
Personally, I found much to agree with in the Governor's speech. I have always been a strong voice in the Legislature pushing for campaign finance reform, redistricting reform, ethics reform and marriage equality, all key pieces of the Governor's agenda. I am also hopeful that as the Governor works to address the serious deficit we face, we will finally be able to reform our budget process, putting in place a system that will prevent the kind of poor decision-making that helped get us into this mess.
While most of the details regarding the Governor's plan to address our deficit won't become clear until he releases his budget later this month, it appears he wants to explore a fundamental reevaluation of both State programs and agencies. share the belief that we need a new vision appropriate for the 21st century. We must redefine what role the government plays in helping make people's lives better, while also offering better models of economic development to support the next generation of New Yorkers. In doing this, we must never forget that one of the greatest responsibilities the government holds is protecting and providing for those in greatest need during tough economic times.
Of course, I also have other priorities beyond what was mentioned in the State of the State - the most important being the renewal of rent regulation laws on terms that protect affordable housing in New York City. With the laws set to expire in June, it is critical that we act on their renewal with strengthened protections for tenants sooner rather than later.
I also continue to believe that a more progressive tax structure should be part of the solution to our budget situation. A fair question to raise today, given the fact that the Feds didn't allow the Bush-era high-income tax cuts to sunset, is whether we should be giving the wealthiest New Yorkers a State tax cut too, which will happen if New York does not extend its high income surcharge. During these difficult financial times sacrifices must be shared by all. I would have far preferred the Federal Government done the right thing with tax policy, which would have avoided the problem of "border wars between the States over marginal income tax rates." But they did not, and as a result all the States (most of which are in equally bad shape for revenue) are left with the reality that they will not see much-needed revenues from Washington for at least the next two years.
If all the leaders who are talking the talk now actually follow through past opening day rhetoric and change the way we do business in Albany, then we can accomplish great things for the 19 million residents of our State.