I am pleased to announce that after a brief hiatus, the new and improved New York State Senate is back in business. Admittedly the Albany impasse lasted a bit longer than I had expected or hoped, but key reforms are now being enacted that will change the culture in the senate and clear the way for policy changes that will mean a great deal to upstate New York.

 Since the start of the year the New York City political bosses ran the show in Albany and the results have not been good for upstate New York. 

The most glaring example is the current state budget, which I vehemently opposed. The plan was developed behind closed doors without input from rank and file legislators, and the secret planners were all from New York City. Upstate concerns were never brought to the negotiating table, and when the budget plotters emerged they presented us with a plan that spends at record levels, hikes taxes by $8 billion and abandons all thought of economic development and job creation. 

Families already struggling to stay in their homes and put food on the table are now looking at another $2,400 in taxes and fees. Small business owners, the backbone of our upstate economy, are forced to pay higher utility taxes and increased health insurance costs. The cost to register your automobile and renew your driver’s license is up. Sportsmen are being charged higher fees for hunting and fishing licenses. The list goes on. 

Damage was being inflicted on New York as a whole and upstate was specifically targeted. The rules of engagement had to change in Albany. That’s why on June 8th a leadership change took place and sweeping reforms were advanced. In the ensuing weeks there has been a great deal of political theater. Many people have asked, “What is the point?”  The answer is historic rules reforms that will help us move forward to improve the operation of the state senate.