Local state lawmakers react to gov's address

PLATTSBURGH — North Country state representatives had mixed reviews of the State of the State, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's eighth such speech.

"As in years past, it (State of State) is a mixed bag of both good and bad propositions," Assemblyman Daniel Stec (R-Queensbury) said Wednesday, after the governor's address.

"With the state facing a possible $4 billion deficit this year, I believe we should be aware of how much we are spending ... instead focusing on reducing costs for taxpayers."

Stec said a perfect example of too much spending is Medicaid.

"New York spends more on Medicaid than Texas and Florida combined, and we have fewer people than those two states," he said.

"That's an issue."

Stec said he understands the governor blaming the federal government for many of the state's woes, but the answers will need to come from Albany, not Washington, D.C.

"This isn't about Washington. It's about Albany," he said.

"We are still the highest-taxed state in the nation, and that certainly begs examination."

STATE OF STATE HIGHLIGHTS

Cuomo highlighted numerous intentions for the coming year, including these:

• Keeping New York economically competitive: The intention, he said, is to reduce taxes to record lows for middle-class New Yorkers, among other measures.

• Upholding the New York promise: That includes upholding equality for woman and eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace.

• Expanding educational opportunity for all. Cuomo wants to expand pre-kindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds across the state and, among other initiatives, establish the Child Care Availability Taskforce.

• Continuing economic opportunity and growth under NY Works.

• Providing a cleaner, greener and healthier New York: The Wellness Agenda. The governor proposed, according to a press release, "a comprehensive plan to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for perpetuating the epidemic," among other initiatives.

• Leading the fight against climate change. Cuomo intends to expand the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and reduce emissions equitably from the highest-polluting, high demand "peaker" power plants.

• Advancing the democracy agenda. This year, the release said, the governor "proposes the strongest and most comprehensive policy to ensure that elections in New York State remain fair and transparent and that online political ads are archived for all to see." He also said he would promote stronger ethics reforms.

'RESTRAINT NEEDED'

State Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) said the governor outlined an ambitious agenda.

"I agree there are many issues that can and should be addressed this legislative session," she said in a statement. "I, too, want to see a clearer and more appropriate response to sexual harassment in the workplace.

"Early voting for convenience is a great idea, and I am sponsoring legislation to that end. It is important to do this in a way that assures voting integrity and doesn’t come at the expense of county governments," Little said.

"And, I would like to see more done to clean our lakes for drinking water and recreation, including preventing the dangerous algae blooms."

Little said addressing the budget deficit will be a tremendous challenge, as revenue is expected to be much less.

"Clearly, raising taxes isn’t the answer," she said on Wednesday.

"Restraint is needed, so I’ll review all of today’s proposals, as well as those to come in the Executive Budget, with that in mind."

EMS STAFFING

Little said she will be pushing for a bill this year that would require a hair follicle test for children under the age of 3 who are in the presence of someone arrested for illegal drug use.

There was a case in her district where a toddler died of a heroin overdose.

"Protecting very young children by requiring a non-invasive test, if deemed appropriate by a judge, is reasonable," she said.

She will also be introducing legislation that will help rural areas of New York address the deepening challenge of staffing for EMS.

"I’ll also be working with my colleagues, Empire State Development and the Governor’s Office to encourage expanding the availability of broadband and wireless communication," Little said.

Progress has been made, but there remains a pressing need to make this 21st-century technology available in all communities."

AWAITING DETAILS

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) didn't comment on specific points of the governor's speech.

"I’m looking forward to seeing the specific details once his proposals are finalized and presented to the legislature," Jones said in a statement.

"As the next legislative session kicks off, I’ll continue to be a fierce advocate for the North Country and ensure that our needs are taken seriously in Albany. This includes fully funding our schools so that our students are prepared for a bright future," he said.

Jones said he will also work to ensure that the governor upholds his promise to give every New Yorker access to high-speed internet.

"It’s unacceptable that many communities in the Adirondacks still lack this vital utility that allows people to do everything from communicate with family to pay bills and connect businesses with customers," he said.

"Without broadband, our economy is a step behind."

The assemblyman said the state needs to build on establishing a rural health council by providing more funding to rural hospitals, which are facing massive cuts by the federal government.

"While it’s important that we adequately fund vital programs like these, it’s important that we don’t place an unfair burden on our low-income and middle-class families, especially homeowners who have been weighed down by high property taxes for far too long," he said.

ETHICS REFORM

Jones said the state must continue to push for ethics reform.

"We took a big step forward last year by voting to strip corrupt officials of their taxpayer-funded pensions.

"This year, I’ll work to clean up our elections and remove dark money from campaigns by closing the LLC loophole and requiring the people and groups behind online political ads are disclosed," he said.

"Elected officials work on behalf of the public, and I’ll keep pushing to limit outside income and make sure your representatives are accountable to the people who put them in office."

Jones, a former correction officer, also said he will continue to advocate for those who guard prisoners across the state.

"The misconduct and irresponsibility of some should not affect the jobs of our fellow correctional officers," he said.

"I have fought to keep our facilities in the past and will do so again, with a stronger voice in Albany as one of the few members who has worked side by side with correction officers."

NEW LEADER NEEDED

North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro) said Cuomo's address had some good points, but it is time for a change in Albany.

According to her spokesman Tom Flanagin, Stefanik looks forward to working with the state on protecting the Adirondacks from rail-car storage and boosting North Country tourism by attracting the World Winter University Games to Lake Placid.

The Winter University Games are an 11-day sports and cultural event held every two years.

Lake Placid would be looking to host the games, scheduled for 2023.

Stefanik was also pleased, Flanagin said, that the governor followed her lead and embraced proposals she has introduced at the federal level to combat sexual harassment.

In addition, she supports New York's commitment to North Country manufacturers such as Norsk Titanium in Plattsburgh.

"However, like many New Yorkers, Congresswoman Stefanik believes it's time for new leadership in New York state," Flanagan said.

"New York is among the least business-friendly states in the nation, and we continue to see New Yorkers fleeing to other states because of Albany's failure to rein in spending and cut taxes."

— News Editor Suzanne Moore contributed to this report.