Hayes Activist Kevin Gaughan spent much of 2010 focused on dissolving village governments in Western New York.

In 2011, he’s aiming higher.

Gaughan has targeted the New York State Senate and Assembly for downsizing. If his plan is successful, the Senate would be reduced from 62 members to 50, while the Assembly would shrink from 150 to 125.

“To save New York, Albany is about to lay-off employees at hospitals, schools, parks, and social service agencies,” Gaughan said in response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recent comments on state layoffs to balance the budget. “If we’re going to eliminate full-time state workers, we should eliminate part-time politicians as well.”

Gaughan has made the rounds throughout Western New York in the past several years, forcing votes to downsize governments, like the Town of West Seneca. Others, like the Village of Lancaster, downsized voluntarily after Gaughan presented his plan.

Ranzenhofer In all, Gaughan has claimed success in the downsizing of nine Western New York governments. But he met with disappointment last summer, as his efforts to dissolve the village governments in Sloan, Williamsville and Farnham were overwhelmingly rebuked by residents.

Gaughan’s plan begins with the Senate. He hopes to force a referendum vote in November and has asked each senator to declare his or her position on downsizing.

The survey results will be published on Gaughan’s website www.letpeopledecide.org.

In a letter sent to each of the senators, Gaughan said “the chronic fiscal crisis in which New York State has been mired has brought our state to its economic knees. Past responses have included cutting state support for public amenities, social services, law enforcement, transportation, and cultural programs. But none of these solutions reduced spending.”

The idea to reduce the size of the government has caught on with some officials. Sens. Michael Ranzenhofer, R-Clarence, and Patrick Gallivan, R-Lancaster, both said they support the move.

“New York State government is too big and too costly,” Ranzenhofer said. “For many years, I have been a strong proponent of reducing the size of government. I fully support giving citizens the opportunity to decide whether or not to reduce the size of their government.”

“One thing is certain, New York State’s taxpayers pay too much for government,” Gallivan added.

According to Gaughan’s plan, New Yorkers would vote on a statewide proposition in November to reduce the size of the Senate. He says the elimination of 12 Senate positions will save $12 million per year.

Gaughan is taking on the Senate first, because it won’t require an amendment to the state constitution. Downsizing the Assembly will.

According to Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, D-Tonawanda, downsizing the Assembly would be a challenge that could take up to five years.

Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst, has thrown his support behind Gaughan’s plan.

“I will vote for any workable plan to downsize the state Legislature that wouldn’t hurt Western New York and increase the advantage New York City already has in Albany,” he said.