Priorities set for 2008 legislative session
JAMES P. HAYES New York State Assembly
The 2008 session of the New York State Legislature begins on Jan. 9, with the annual message of the Governor. It's time for refocusing on longstanding priorities and setting new ones.

When the state budget was passed last April, I warned that runaway increases in state spending, increased debt and a failure to provide real relief for taxpayers - particularly hard-hit property taxpayers - would come back to haunt the state. I wish I could say that I was wrong, but in fact, the state's financial picture is dark, with a $4.3 billion deficit the latest prediction of state budget officials.

That is why the top priority for the coming legislative session will be to continue to fight to restore fiscal sanity to New York State by reigning in state spending, cutting taxes and reducing the reliance on debt, which has been called "the silent thief of taxpayer dollars."

First and foremost, I would like to see a cap on property taxes. Driven by mandates, local taxes in New York are the highest in the nation. Homeowners well know how high property taxes are because they see the bill every year. But high property taxes affect everyone. They drive up rents, and because businesses pay property taxes, too, they drive up the cost of all the goods and services families buy, from gasoline to groceries.

I will also push hard for measures that will reduce the overall size of government, eliminate Medicaid fraud, provide mandate relief and create opportunities for towns and school districts to have greater control over their local budgets.

I also plan to focus on the question of oversight of the massive investment of taxpayer dollars represented by state and local pension funds. When you add up all the public employee retirement funds, including those outside the jurisdiction of the State Comptroller, the total comes to $350 billion.

These funds have varying degrees of oversight, and there are no standard reporting mechanisms.

The public deserves full accountability and transparency of these funds, which total about three times the amount of the annual state budget.

Despite the many difficulties faced by New York State, we may finally be reaching that crossroads where enough people realize that it's time for a change in the way the state operates and that we need real reform to reduce state spending, cut taxes and pay down debt.

These fiscal issues are just a few of the many facing the 2008 legislative session. As always, I will continue to report on the progress - or lack of it - on these and other issues that come before the Legislature.

I look forward to working with my colleagues at every level of government - and especially our new County Executive Chris Collins - to be a positive force for more efficient and effective government in 2008.

Please feel free to call (634-1895) or write

hayesj@assembly.state.ny.us) with your thoughts or concerns. I also want to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy and happy year.