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END OF SESSION: TRIUMPHS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS
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The 2005 legislative session has concluded. Many of the issues I wrote about in earlier columns were resolved this year - some were not. I believe we turned a corner; our work on the important issues made a difference and started the process of producing real change for New York.
We saw substantial changes to the way the Assembly operates through rules reform. My Assembly Republican conference colleagues and I advocated for rules changes for some time, and I think we all remember that last year's election campaigns were based on promises to reform state government. Legislators from both sides of the aisle came together to pass meaningful reform legislation, though more changes are needed.
The state Legislature, invoking some of the early reforms, finally passed an on-time budget - the first in 21 years. This wasn't an accomplishment as much as it was simply the Legislature doing its job. Either way, I'm confident this is the beginning of the new standard.
Legislation was passed that will allow for direct shipment of wine. For regions such as ours that produce and sell wine, this measure should act as an economic catalyst. By allowing producers to ship their wines out of state, we can bolster our economy with new dollars and tax revenue, as well as introduce new markets to New York's magnificent wines. This is another opportunity to open our region to new tourism initiatives.
Some of our other successes for 2005 are:
- Adoption of a single-sales factor to focus business taxes solely on in-state sales
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- Expansion of the Empire Zones program to include the agriculture industry and at least one zone per county
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- Enhanced benefits for military personnel and their families through Patriot Plan III
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- Agreement on the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
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- Adoption of comprehensive laws to combat clandestine methamphetamine labs and production
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- Hit, run and hide legislation that stiffens penalties for motorists who flee the scenes of fatal or serious injury auto accidents
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- "VaSean's Law," making it easier for district attorneys to prosecute drunk drivers who cause serious injuries or deaths.
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In addition to these statewide bills, the Legislature also passed bills I introduced this year that affect our home region. For example, we passed a bill that authorizes the operation of The New York State Wine and Center, Inc. in Canandaigua, which would, among other things, teach how to make and pair New York wines with New York agricultural products thus better promoting New York wines. Another bill will now allow double tractor trailers adequate access to fueling and transportation resources by making it legal for them to cross over state Route 414 to the Petro Stopping Center, in turn boosting our local economy.
This is quite a list of accomplishments, and it's more than the Legislature has approved in many years, but there is still much more work to do.
Many important pieces of legislation my Assembly Republican colleagues and I brought to the floor were not passed; others were not even considered by the Democratic majority. We at the Republican conference will continue fighting for these initiatives because of their vital importance to New York and its residents. Legislators worked hard and together this year, but it wasn't enough.
Civil confinement legislation went nowhere this year - just as in years passed. Assembly Republicans worked to pass this measure, which would allow judges to order the most dangerous sexual predators held in secure mental health facilities following completion of their prison sentences if, after an extensive review process, it's determined they still pose threats to the public. The state Senate each year since 1993 has passed the measure and Gov. George Pataki has vowed to sign it into law, but Assembly Democrats have consistently refused to even consider the issue.
Other unresolved issues in 2005 include:
- Resolving the state's death penalty quagmire
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- Renewal of the Article X Power Plant Siting Law with reforms that would allow for more public involvement and incentives to locate generating facilities on abandoned brownfield sites
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- Reforming the antiquated vicarious liability provision that has driven auto leasing firms out of New York
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- Comprehensive Medicaid overhaul
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- Workers' compensation changes that would reduce rates on businesses and provide business owners with more resources to hire employees.
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The Legislature accomplished a lot this year, but has left a lot more to do in 2006. My colleagues and I in the Assembly Republican conference will continue to push for these and other issues that would make life better and safer for New York and its residents. We plan to build upon the spirit of bipartisanship and forward motion that helped make 2005 one of our most productive years in quite some time.
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