New governor, new legislative session in Albany
JAMES P. HAYES New York State Assembly
The traditional start of the new legislative session begins today at noon when Gov. Eliot Spitzer will deliver his first State of the State message to a joint session of the Assembly and Senate at the capitol in Albany.

Every year on the first Wednesday in January, the Governor of New York delivers the State of the State address and uses it as an opportunity to focus public attention on a broad policy agenda with specific goals for the upcoming legislative session.

As your representative in the State Assembly, I stand ready to work cooperatively with the new Governor and will support his proposals to reduce the influence of special interest groups and reform the way Albany does business.

In addition, I will continue to focus my agenda on four key issues in the coming legislative session:

 Expand efforts to cut property taxes. New Yorkers continue to pay property taxes that are the highest-in-the-nation. That’s wrong and its killing jobs and efforts to expand our local economy. Governor Spitzer, the State Senate and Assembly Republicans all have put forward specific plans to expand the STAR property tax relief program to help homeowners save hundreds of dollars more each year on school property taxes. Last year’s rebate checks were only the beginning of this effort. This year, a property tax cut program must be the cornerstone of the 2007 state budget.

 Reduce state debt. New Yorkers bear the burden of a $50 billion state debt, the third largest debt per capita of any state in the nation. State surplus funds should be used to pay down debt and “backdoor borrowing” by the legislature and state authorities should be eliminated. In other words, no new debt should be incurred without voter approval.

 Civil Confinement for Sex Predators. Speaker Silver and the New York City Democrats who control the Assembly refused to pass a Civil Confinement law demanded by former Governor George Pataki when he called the legislature into special session in December. The Assembly majority refused to pass this common sense bill to protect our children. Their continued opposition is mind-boggling given the fact that this important bill was passed unanimously, with strong support from both Democrats and Republicans, in the State Senate.

 Make state government more efficient, open and honest. New York State spends too much — and as a result — taxes too much in a process that is driven by legislative leaders and all too often hidden from public view. I will continue to champion efforts to make our state government and its decision making process more open and transparent.

As the session proceeds, I’ll continue to use this monthly column space to keep you informed. I also invite you to share your views on state matters of concern by writing to me at 5555 Main Street, Williamsville, N.Y. 14221 or via e-mail at hayesj@assembly.state.ny.us Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.