Dear Senator Thompson,
I understand that you had agreed to submit a bill to the NY Senate to return the 190-Niagara section of the Thruway to the NY State DOT, thus eliminating the Thruway Authority's control. I also am under the understanding that you gave Rus Thompson the assurance that you would be doing just that some time ago. I would certainly like to believe, Senator, that you are a man of your word. I will be watching, as well as the many, many others who are bled dry by the greed of the Thruway Authority every day as we watch our hard earned money funnel downstate. That is, if we are among the fortunate ones left who even have a job in this perenially depressed region who need that corridor to commute to our threatened places of employment.
Quite frankly, I am shocked that you hadn't submitted this bill long ago. It was written by Senator George Maziarz (and kudos to him for actually doing his job and representing his constituency) and Rus Thompson, who wants nothing less than the rest of us: Responsive elected officials who really speak for us in Albany and that realize this is the only legitimate reason for them to hold an elected office in the first place. It would seem that you could have been considered a local champion in your district if you would have jumped on this long ago. Benefitting the voters that helped get you where you are works wonders. Why the refusal to submit the bill? The Governor agreed to sign it....? Why? Unless you are more beholden to Albany than to your local constituency?
As I see it, Senator Thompson, an opportunity for you to absolutely shine in this area has been squandered. An opportunity to at least redeem yourself is on the threshold. The people of this area are so used to mediocre, self-serving politicians and miserable government, that even doing it now will seem a triumph.
Please keep your word and submit the bill....integrity is hard to find in Albany. Please, let's hope that we find it in you.
Respectfully submitted,
(Submitted by Daniel Wilkosz)
Bill Stachowski's Contact Information:
Albany Office:
918 Legislative Office Building
Albany, New York 12247
Phone (518)-455-2426
Fax: (518) 426-6851
District Office:
2030 Clinton Street
Buffalo, New York 14206
Phone (716)-826-3344
Fax (716)-823-6372
E-mail: senstachowski@yahoo.com
Dear Senator Stachowski and Senator Thompson,
Enough is enough. You do not represent us, We, the People. It is apparent you place your own political aspirations above the needs of your constituents. Your ridiculous vote on the obscene budget will cost us $13,000,000,000, and it will devastate Western New York. Your one vote could have brought some recovery here, but instead, like so many mindless bureaucrats, you went right ahead and voted the party-line. You obviously have no qualms or conscience about sending hard-earned Western New York dollars downstate, yet again sealing our #2 spot as the poorest area in the entire country, for years to come.
Passing this budget, supporting staff pay raises, and your silent deferral to "Senate Majority Offices" in the midst of financial crises are all clear indications you are out of touch and unfit to serve any longer. Clearly, you serve yourself, and special interests only.
Resign Senator, so that we may start the healing process. Step down, that we may begin to bring about Real Reform.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXXXX
Additional clueless Stachowski and Antoine Thompson blunders:
~ Voting to send a $500,000,000 NYS Power Authority (NYPA) surplus downstate
~ Voting in favor of Wicks Law, which is another way in which non-union competition for public sector projects is effectively eliminated
~ Voted against STAR rebates, with his budget vote
~ Voted to close area beaches with his budget vote,
absent funding for lifeguards -- yet supports expanding power base with new Democrat Senate Majority offices, constituting another $6 million drain on taxpayers.
Though I don't think very highly of Tom Golisano, who poured in millions to support the very incumbents and non-reformers that chased him out of New York (including Stachowski), and whose "reform group" Responsible New York never partnered with existing reform groups and did far more harm than good, in an effort to advance his own special interests -- his thoughts are worthwhile repeating here. ~Jul
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Guest View by Tom Golisano
I love New York. But how much should it cost to call New York home? Decades of out-of-control budgets, spending increases and relentless borrowing have made New York simply too expensive.
Politicians like to talk about incentives -- incentives for businesses to relocate, incentives to buy local and incentives to make smart decisions. After reviewing the 2009 budget, I have identified the most compelling incentive of all: a major tax break immediately available to all New Yorkers. To be eligible, you need only do one thing: move out of New York state.
Last week I spent 90 minutes doing a couple simple things: registering to vote, changing my driver's license, filling out a domicile certificate and signing a homestead certificate -- in Florida. Combined with spending 184 days a year outside New York, these simple procedures will save me over $5 million in New York taxes annually.
That savings doesn't include that Florida has a 6 percent sales tax, compared to New York's 8 percent or more. Florida has lower utility taxes and lower gasoline taxes. The Florida homestead certificate guarantees my property taxes will not grow more than 3 percent.
By moving to Florida, I can spend that money on worthy causes, like better hospitals and improving education, and on worthy projects like the Clinton Global Initiative. Or maybe I will continue to invest that money in fighting the status quo in Albany. One thing is certain: That money will not continue to fund Albany's bloated bureaucracy, corrupt politicians or regular handouts to the special interests.
How did we get here in the first place? It all starts with spending, spending and more spending.
BUDGET SPENDING
New York's budget was $72.7 billion in 1999. Ten years later, it has ballooned to $131.8 billion. That growth is astounding, but it continues to get worse. Each year, New York's budget has had 6 percent compounded growth, double the average rate of inflation (2.8 percent). Florida's budget, on the other hand, went down 8 percent this year. HEALTH CARE SPENDING New York spends $2,283 per person on Medicaid. That's the highest per capita spending in the nation and twice the national average. In the last decade, the Medicaid budget has grown by 50 percent ($30 billion in 1999 and $45 billion in 2009). In almost every sector (hospitals, nursing homes, medicine, clinics, and home and community care), spending per recipient regularly exceeds the national average.
Faced with escalating costs and diminishing returns, Albany and their allies, the health care unions (SEIU has over 300,000 politically active members), had only one answer: Increase taxes.
EDUCATION SPENDING
New York spends the most per pupil in America on education, spending 63 percent above the national average. Costs went up about 60 percent in the last decade ($12.7 billion in 1999 and $20.7 billion in 2009). Like health care, education is something worth spending on and worth investing in, but we're spending more and getting less. New York City schools graduated 54 percent of high school students in 2007, Buffalo 47 percent and Rochester 45 percent.
Why? Perhaps it's because the New York state teachers union, with its $114 million budget, is always trying to convince Albany to spend more. Maybe it's because it's mandatory that all teachers pay union dues. Whatever the cause, when faced with potential cuts, the union and their allies have one response: Increase taxes.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING
It's not just the state. It's the range and breadth of New York layers of governments and special taxing districts. In New York, the average state and local tax burden is $5,260 for every man, woman and child. That's by far the highest in the country. Like Albany, when faced with a difficult problem, these municipalities have one answer: Increase taxes.
Upstate New York has been particularly hard hit. Add unreasonable real estate taxes to the uncontrolled state spending, and you have whole communities decimated. The assessment process is unfair, unworkable and unreasonable, and the result is that 15 of the 20 highest taxed counties in America are right here in Upstate New York. While homeowners in other areas build equity, we just pay more taxes.
NO ONE'S HOME
This problem did not begin with the current recession. New York faced a $6 billion shortfall before the economic downturn. However, in the face of economic turmoil Gov. Paterson, Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Smith looked to the unions and special interests, who answered with one voice: Raise taxes.
Among other taxes and fees, they raised the marginal tax rate on the most successful (and most mobile) New Yorkers to 8.97 percent, the second highest rate in the nation.
It was irresponsible and it may just prove to be counterproductive, since the top 1 percent of earners account for about 50 percent of state revenue. We're the ones who can -- and will -- leave.
It's not an easy decision, but I'm being forced away from my family and friends, a pain shared by too many parents and grandparents in this state.
I'm leaving. And by domiciling in Florida, I will personally save $13,800 every single day. That's a pretty strong incentive.
Like I said, I love New York, but I'm not going to pay New York more for the waste, corruption and inefficiency that is New York state government.
-Tom Golisano
Tom Golisano is the Chairman of the Board of Paychex, Inc. and the founder of the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation. He created Responsible New York so the voices of ordinary New Yorkers can be heard over the special interests, to hold elected officials accountable and to advocate for government reform.
Niagara Falls Reporter
www.niagarafallsreporter.com
May 26 2009
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Antoine Thompson's Contact Information:
District Office:
Walter J. Mahoney State Office Building
65 Court Street, Room 213
Buffalo, New York 14202
P: 716-854-8705
F: 716-854-3051
Niagara Falls Office: Albany Office:
Albany Office:619 Pine AvenueLegislative Office Building, Room 902
Legislative Office Building, Room 902Niagara Falls, New York 14302 Albany, New York 12247
P: 716-284-5789 P: 518-455-3371
P: 518-455-3371F: 716-284-5820 F: 518-426-6969
Email: athompso@senate.state.ny.us
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READ MORE HERE. Also, check out the trailer for
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"The only thing necessary
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... a word of advice to those who believe a few racy emails is a much more looming problem than a rotten ruling class that is above the law, irresponsibly strapping us with generations of debt.
TEA NEW YORK SHUNS THE TEA PARTY EXPRESS ... and encourages all New York Reform Groups to do the same.
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TEA New York has successfully recruited Carl Paladino for Governor! A developer with Ellicott Development Co., Carl is an outspoken, no-nonsense guy with a blunt eloquence, the means and a record of getting his message out -- which mirrors that of the Tea Party Movement. Carl has just the kind of voice we need at this critical juncture in time to address the enormous level of dysfunction in NYS government.
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The anti-corporate welfare lawsuit that is pending in State Supreme Court in Albany, New York, seeks a permanent end to all cash grants to private corporations for “economic development.”
Take Back the Republic, one committee seat at a time -- what some consider the only peaceful means.
~Still confused about what's not to like about Obama?
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Must Watch: A Beautiful Man. New Jersey's
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"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
~2 Chronicles 7:14
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Just after they've been re-elected, Senators Stachowski & Thompson host a $1000-5000 a head fundraiser, and to announce yet more funding for the Darwin D. Martin House. But protestors took center stage, while the empty suits, their frivolities and their bombastic blather took a back seat.
The Making of a Leader:
The Making of a King:
