Positive results yielded in 2007, citizens will benefit
MARY LOU RATH New York State Senator
While 2007 can certainly be characterized as a unique legislative year, it has also been productive. Several positive measures, ranging from tax relief, economic growth, health care, education and government reform, have been enacted that will benefit the citizens of our state and our communities.

The Senate fought to keep the 2007 New York State Property Tax Rebate checks in the state budget, and by doing so, returned millions of dollars to Erie County property owners. To build on the program, the Senate recently drafted an initiative that aims to double the amount of money returned next year to local taxpayers.

This year, several bills were passed to help local businesses, including a new law that extends the successful Power for Jobs. The program, which provides low-cost power to manufacturers and other significant area employers, also helps businesses retain and add new jobs.

The Student Lending, Accountability, Transparency & Enforcement Act of 2007 protects students and their families from exploitation by conflicts of interest in the student loan industry. This initiative provides a code of conduct for lenders and higher education institutions that would help put an end to deceptive and misleading lending practices. In addition, this legislation establishes a "Student Lending Education Account," funded by money generated by violations of this law. The account will be used to educate borrowers and parents about college lending and to reimburse students who were charged inflated loan prices. The bill makes New York the first state to offer a solution to the student loan scandal that has affected millions of students from all over the country.

A new law was enacted this year that broadens the rights of health care consumers, physicians and hospitals associated with managed care health plans. This legislation provides key legal protections to address long-standing problems of patients who feel caught in the middle between hospital/insurer disputes. The bill also helps untangle the complicated maze of rules that have been developed by hospitals and insurers, so that clear and timely health care decisions can be made.

The Senate, Assembly and governor reached several three-way agreements this year, which help to advance transparency, openness and accountability in state government. Among them was a plan to reform the state budget process. The plan expedites and facilitates the budget process by requiring budget discussions to begin in November, authorizes the comptroller to resolve disputes and speeds up the consensus revenue process. This agreement also makes the budget more transparent by requiring state spending to be itemized.

I look forward to making further progress on measures benefiting Western New York and our state during the 2008 legislative session. As 2007 draws to a close and we share this holiday season with family and friends, know how honored I am to work on your behalf in the State Senate.