Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, Senator Farley, Major General Peter Lennon at the Guardian House shelter for homeless female veterans in Ballston Spa.

Major General Peter Lennon, who commands 36,000 soldiers, joins state legislators, local officials and veterans to shine light on how NYS can better help veterans

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) and Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C,I-Niskayuna) today announced new legislation to create a voluntary tax check-off for New Yorkers to contribute to programs and services for veterans.

Tedisco and Farley joined New York native and U.S. Army Major General Peter S. Lennon, Commanding General of the 337^th Sustainment Command in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, local officials and Saratoga County veterans, to tour the Guardian House for homeless female veterans in Ballston Spa, which is the type of program that could benefit from this new legislation.

The bill, (A.5409/S.4349), creates a voluntary tax check-off fund for New Yorkers to contribute to veterans programs and services like the Guardian House for women veterans.

“There’s a phrase that’s frequently used by people when they are appreciative, ‘thanks for everything.’ When it comes to our veterans, there can be no more literal definition of that saying because we are thankful to our veterans for giving us everything. Everything we as Americans hold dear. All of our freedoms and liberties and relative safety are due to the service and sacrifice of a veteran. In many instances, we don’t see the psychological toll of war on our veterans. This bill is one way our state government can be an ombudsman for the public to say in deeds ‘thanks for everything’ to our veterans by supporting programs like the Guardian House to help our returning service women and men get back on their feet and achieve the American Dream they fought so hard to protect for us,” said Tedisco.

“Our country owes a debt of gratitude to our veterans,” said Farley. “More needs to be done to ensure that they have the programs and services they need. There are many valuable programs throughout New York State, such as the VETHELP programs offered by the Saratoga County RPC, to assist veterans with their health, mental health, employment and housing needs. Our tax check-off bill would provide citizens with a convenient and effective way to assist veterans by providing financial support for programs like these.”

This year’s state budget included a tax credit which Tedisco and Farley voted for to encourage businesses to hire veterans who have served since September 11, 2001 ($5,000 tax credit to hire a post 9/11 veteran and up to $15,000 for a disabled veteran).

Major General Lennon, a reservist, is in charge of 36,000 soldiers in 34 states. Most recently, General Lennon led the Army Reserves’ response to Hurricane Sandy. Previously, he served as Deputy Director of Logistics, U.S. Central Command, was an architect of the Northern Distribution Network into Afghanistan and directed the Oil for Food program in Iraq.

The Guardian House, which is run by the Saratoga Rural Preservation Company’s VETHELP program, offers residential housing and support services to 11 homeless female veterans. The Guardian House recently won a $25,000 Home Depot Foundation award to renovate part of the building. It’s now in the running for a $250,000 prize.

General Lennon reached out to Tedisco and Farley and asked to see local programs for veterans like the Guardian House, which helps female veterans re-assimilate to civilian life so they can get back on their feet, that the Army can support and replicate nationally.

“The brave men and women who have served our country deserve and need the continued support of all New Yorkers, said Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett.  “Providing an additional alternative for New Yorkers to support our Veterans is a common sense measure that is worthy of support from all New York State elected officials.  I am proud to partner with Mr. Easton and Clifton Park Veterans to present this initiative and very thankful to Assemblyman Tedisco and Senator Farley for introducing the bill to the NYS Legislature for consideration.  Mr. Tedisco and Mr. Farley continue to be champions for our Veterans.”

“The Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company’s Vet Help welcomes Major General Lennon, Senator Farley and Assemblyman Tedisco to the Guardian House and wants to say a huge thank-you for their continued support through Legislative Bill A.5409/S.4349 and helping Vet Help with our efforts to win Home Depot’s Aprons in Action Contest,” said Don Little, Director of Veteran Programs for the Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company, and a Vietnam veteran.

“This fund will give New Yorkers the opportunity to financially support veterans’ programs.  The number of issues affecting veterans makes this support even more critical.  Homelessness is one issue and the Guardian House is a facility which could benefit from this tax check off proposal,” said Jim Easton of Clifton Park, a Vietnam veteran who, along with Clifton Park Supervisor Barrett, approached Tedisco and Farley with the idea for this legislation.

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Assemblyman says New York State should protect people and horses by closing state borders to those who would transport equines to be slaughtered for food for foreigners

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) today is responding to news that 30 horses died in a truck fire on Interstate 81 near Binghamton while on their way from an auction house in Pennsylvania to a horse slaughter plant in Montreal, Canada.

Tedisco is promoting legislation to prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption and to prevent horses from being transported across state lines in New York for slaughter. The bill (A.3905/S.4615) is co-sponsored by Tedisco and is prime-sponsored by Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick (D-Manhattan) and Senator Kathy Marchione (R,C-Halfmoon).

“New York’s horses deserve better than to be packed into a truck and burned to death while on their way to be slaughtered and turned into food for foreigners. The tragic deaths of these 30 horses could have been prevented if our bill was in place to prevent horses from being trucked across New York State lines for slaughter,” said Tedisco.

Tedisco noted that in 2010, about 138,000 American horses were exported to Canada to be slaughtered, the vast majority of which were intended for human consumption abroad, primarily in Europe and Japan.

The 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand was sent to Japan in 2002 where he was slaughtered and became either pet food or steaks for human consumption. Europe has been rocked by recent scandals over horsemeat sold as beef that contained veterinary medicine that’s prohibited from human consumption.

“Horses are athletes and companions. They work the farm and provide therapeutic services to veterans and people with disabilities. Horses carried American soldiers into battle and helped build this country. It’s just plain unpatriotic to allow for our horses to be sent abroad to be inhumanely slaughtered and turned into food. Moreover, this is a public safety issue as there’s no guarantee horse meat, which is not fit for human consumption, will not end up in the U.S. food supply,” said Tedisco.

May 6^th is Tax Freedom Day in NY, the second latest in the U.S.; Capital Region Assembly Republicans say New Yorkers deserve freedom from “tax hell” sooner rather than later

Here’s the good news New York, today, May 6^th, is your Tax Freedom Day. The bad news is the Empire State has the second latest date in the nation for when taxpayers pay off all their tax obligations and start pocketing their hard-earned money.

Tax Freedom Day is the day that residents of a given state have symbolically worked long enough to pay off all of their tax bills at the federal, state and local levels.

New York ranks second behind Connecticut (May 13) for latest Tax Freedom Day in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation. Here is a link to a map of state by state rankings for Tax Freedom Day in the U.S.

Capital Region Assembly Republicans Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville), Steve McLaughlin (R,C,I-Melrose), Tony Jordan (R,C,I-Jackson), and Dan Stec (R,C,I-Queensbury) say this dubious distinction has to change if New York truly wants to be open for business.

“The taxpayers of New York have just been freed from tax hell after having worked the first four months of the year to pay off the nation’s second highest tax burden. Now they can finally start putting money in the piggy bank for their child’s education or making an important household purchase. While we’ve taken many positive steps in the past three years to turn our state’s economy around, there are still miles to go to truly get New York working and become a place that celebrates tax freedom,” said Tedisco.

“Finally, Tax Freedom Day has arrived in New York, but it’s nearly two-and-a-half weeks later than the national average,” said Jordan. “The direct and indirect policies that keep New York’s taxes among the highest in the nation are slowing down our economic growth and recovery and hampering individual prosperity. We must look closely at every tax, fee and fine and every other policy that drives up taxes in New York and make serious efforts to provide our citizens with real relief.”

“Tax Freedom Day represents all that is wrong with our state’s finances,” said McLaughlin. “In almost every category, our state taxes are among the highest in the nation. It is a deplorable fact that it takes hard working New Yorkers over a third of the year, until the tulips bloom, to pay for the tremendous tax burden of living in New York State. If state government wants to get serious about reducing taxes for New York’s families, they would enact a state spending cap, provide meaningful mandate relief to taxpayers, require a two-thirds vote for tax increases and end smoke-and-mirrors budgeting. These are smart and real solutions that would bring immediate relief to Upstate families.”

“The fact that New Yorkers need to work over one third of the year just to pay our taxes is a sad reminder of the burden that is imposed on the families, businesses and communities that call our state home,” said Stec. “Lawmakers need to eliminate the unfunded mandates that drive up our property taxes and lower personal and business taxes. Only by reducing the tax burden in New York can we attract businesses, reverse the flow of people leaving for more tax friendly states, and create jobs that will bring our economy roaring back.”

The Assembly members offered the following suggestions as just some of the solutions to deliver tax freedom for all New Yorkers:

• Spending cap to control state spending.
• Moratorium on unfunded mandates.
• Repealing the Wage Theft Reporting Act.
• Small Business Relief Act.
• Full state takeover of Medicaid to reduce property taxes for homeowners and businesses.
• Limiting state borrowing, one-shots and other gimmicks to raise revenues.
• Truth in state borrowing so taxpayers know the principle, interest and payback period for any state debt that’s incurred.
• Accountability for all state authorities.
• Legislative Online Paperwork Reduction act to save taxpayers up to $50 annually.
• 2/3 vote requirement for revenue enhances and tax increases.

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Assemblyman and Town Supervisor to hold joint mobile office hours at Clifton Park Center Mall to enable residents to ask questions, obtain info on state and town services

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) and Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett will bring the state Capitol and Town Hall to the Mall by holding joint office hours at the Clifton Park Center Mall to allow residents to ask questions and get information on state and local services.

“We know that people lead busy lives and can’t always stop by our offices if they have a question. What better place to hold a ‘meeting on Main Street’ that’s accessible to people than at the Mall. This is an opportunity for my constituents to get help or ask questions from both their Assemblyman and Town Supervisor at the same time,” said Tedisco.

“The Clifton Park Town Board regularly conducts public hearings, workshops and neighborhood meetings to encourage participation from the people we serve,” Barrett said. “The mobile office hours are an extension of our ongoing efforts to promote open and transparent government here in Clifton Park. I’m looking forward to joining with Assemblyman Tedisco to speak with our friends and neighbors on a wide variety of topics.”

Tedisco and Barrett will hold their “Town Hall at the Mall” from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, May 4^th at the Center Court (near Regal Cinemas and the Food Court) at the Clifton Park Center Mall, 22 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, NY.

WHO: Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville)

Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett

WHAT: Tedisco and Barrett to hold “Town Hall at the Mall” mobile office hours at the Clifton Park Center Mall to enable constituents to more easily ask questions of their local and state elected officials and receive information on services in Clifton Park and New York State.

WHEN: Saturday, May 4^th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Center Court near Regal Cinemas and the Food Court, Clifton Park Center Mall, 22 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, NY.

Capital Region Assembly members launch online “Recall Revolution” petition drive to harness the power of the people to demand reform measure to clean-up corruption in Albany

Sick of the corruption? Tired of seeing one elected official after another who is derelict in their duties? Fed up with hollow promises that lawmakers are going to police themselves? Do you believe that the people have the power?

It’s time you join the “Recall Revolution!”

Capital Region Assembly Republicans have had enough of the corruption in Albany. That’s why today, they are keeping pressure on the Legislature to enact government reform legislation to allow voters to recall elected officials who are derelict in their duties.

Assemblymen Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville), Steve McLaughlin (R,C,I-Melrose), Pete Lopez (R,C,I-Schoharie), Tony Jordan (R,C,I-Jackson), and Dan Stec (R,C,I-Queensbury) have launched an online Recall Revolution petition drive to harness the power of the people to gives voters the same type of recall ability they have in 19 other states in the United States.

“In our representative democracy, the people have the power, not the politicians. That’s why today, my colleagues and I are launching this ‘Recall Revolution’ online petition drive to return power to the people so they can make their voices heard and give them the enhanced ability to recall elected officials who are derelict in their duties. Myself and the supporters of a recall law trust the voters of New York to help us police state government. This is just part of a holistic approach to cleaning up corruption in New York State, but it’s got to start with giving power to the people to partner with us to take back our state government,” said Tedisco.

“It’s far too frequent that public servants in Albany are becoming negligent in their duty to the people. There are too many bad seeds in Albany and it reflects poorly on all of us, including those elected officials who work tirelessly on behalf of their constituents. It’s time to give power back to the people and let them drain the swamp,” said McLaughlin. “The Governor can create a commission to police this and appoint someone to police that. The only group who doesn’t have a say in the policing of those who have abandoned their duty as an elected official are the people of New York themselves. It’s time to let the people have a voice in the process and recall elected officials who have been negligent in their duty to the public. New Yorkers have a right to hold their elected leaders accountable for the decisions they make and anything less is unjust. It’s long past due to pass this legislation and let the people decide on the ‘Recall Revolution.”

Click here to access the “Recall Revolution” online petition

“New Yorkers need to have confidence that the people elected to represent them are working in good faith. We believe giving the public a chance to initiate a recall would be a powerful tool for reminding elected officials that their role is public service and not self-service,” said Lopez.

“For years, we’ve listened to governors and legislative leaders promise real reform. Yet, just when voters thought they had heard it all they’ll find another politician exposed for crimes in the headlines – when do voters get to say enough?” said Jordan. “Our recall bill grants voters, through a democratic process, the ability to remove crooked politicians from office mid-term. If American democratic government is built on the belief ‘of the people, by the people and for the people,’ than we should put the power back into the hands of the people. We’re asking for the help of the people through this petition drive to bring our recall legislation to a vote in the legislature and making this a reality for the people.”

“We need to put power back in the hands of the people and take it away from corrupt politicians abusing the public trust,” said Stec. “By permitting recall elections, we can allow New Yorkers to make their voices heard. I urge all our residents to sign this petition and send a message to Albany that enough is enough and it’s time for a change.”

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Assemblyman says state government can make “Mother Earth smile”

by saving tax payers $50 million by going digital while reducing paper waste,

Debating the cost of paper waste in the NYS Legislature.

In commemoration of Earth Day, Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) today is renewing his push for the New York State Legislature to conserve our natural resources and tax dollars by having state government go digital with its messaging.

Tedisco continues to champion legislation that first passed in 2011, which would amend the constitution to stop the placement of paper copies of bills on the 213 legislative desks and permit a digital copy to suffice. The bill (A.5274-A of 2011), which Tedisco co-sponsored, has been re-introduced in the Senate (S.4417) but has not yet been re-introduced by its prime sponsor in the Assembly. As the measure is a constitutional amendment, it must pass before session ends in June of this year to go on the ballot this November.

“We have an opportunity this year to truly make Mother Earth smile by reducing the New York State Legislature’s carbon footprint, while saving millions of taxpayer dollars, by stopping the wasteful printing of bills and going digital with our legislative communications,” said Tedisco.

Tedisco also is sponsoring legislation (A.6080) to save taxpayers an estimated $50 million by ending the unnecessary printing of state agency, university, authority and legislative reports, digests and the hundreds of thousands of bills that sit in the Assembly and Senate Document rooms waiting for someone, anyone, to pick them up and move state government into the digital domain of the 21^st century.

“Our Founding Fathers were wise but they never envisioned I-Pads, Kindles, laptops and smart phones as a means of delivering information. Hundreds of thousands of pieces of paper are needlessly printed each year by the Legislature and even more by state departments, agencies, authorities colleges and universities, much of it going unread and tossed into landfills. This is no way to treat Mother Earth or taxpayers funds!”

Legislators tour “Old Friends at Cabin Creek” race horse retirement home in Greenfield; Marchione introduces companion bill in Senate to one sponsored by Tedisco to prevent horses from being trucked through NYS for slaughter and for food consumption which is dangerous for humans

With this year marking the 150^th anniversary of horse racing in Saratoga and the opening this week of the Oklahoma Training Track at the Saratoga Race Course, Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) and Senator Kathleen A. Marchione (R,C-Halfmoon) today joined thoroughbred industry professionals and equine advocates to tour “Old Friends at Cabin Creek” race horse retirement ranch in Greenfield and announced a major new effort to protect New York State horses from being sent to slaughterhouses and shipped overseas for food consumption.

Tedisco and Marchione are championing legislation to prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption and to prevent horses from being transported across state lines in New York for slaughter. The bill (A.3905/S.4615) is co-sponsored by Tedisco and is prime-sponsored by Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick (D-Manhattan). Marchione introduced the measure in the Senate on April 15^th.

The measure will be a focus of the 2013 American Equine Summit held in Chatham, NY on April 27^th where Tedisco will be the keynote speaker and one of the legislative priorities for NYS Animal Advocacy Day on June 4^th in Albany, NY.

“Horses are majestic animals that are intrinsically tied to the rich history and culture of New York State and our entire nation. Not only are horses athletes and companions that provide therapeutic services to children, people with disabilities and to our veterans but they are just too beautiful too kill. Let’s end horse slaughter in New York,” said Assemblyman Tedisco, who was the driving force behind New York’s landmark animal cruelty felony Buster’s Law. “This is more than just protecting horses from being slaughtered; it’s a public safety issue as horses are routinely given medications that could be harmful to humans if ingested.”

“In 2010, 137,984 horses were exported to Canada to be slaughtered, the vast majority of which were intended for human consumption abroad, primarily in Europe and Japan. Horses at slaughterhouses are treated with cruel indifference and subjected to unimaginable pain and suffering. Currently, it is against the law to slaughter horses specifically for dog and cat food – so why would we ever allow New York State horses to be slaughtered for human consumption, especially when many horses have received medications that are banned by the FDA for use at any time during the life of livestock animals? The slaughtering of horses for food is unconscionable, inhumane and needs to end, which is the goal of the bill I am championing in the Senate. With a horse meat plant in New Mexico reportedly nearing approval, there isn’t a moment to lose for New York State to enact a tough new law that will better protect horses that are so beloved here in Saratoga County and such a vital part of our local economy and proud agricultural heritage,” Senator Marchione said.

“The bill banning horse slaughter for human consumption is important considering how critical horses have been to our country. From assisting in the building of our country to the recreational value they serve now. Recent stories of horse meat having infiltrated the food supply raise questions about the process used to retire horses from active life. I very much hope we can pass this bill this year,” said Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick.

“Old Friends at Cabin Creek” is home to 12 retired thoroughbred race horses including two winners of the Travers Stakes: Thunder Rumble (1989) and Will’s Way (1996). The thoroughbred horse retirement home is located in Greenfield which is in both the 112^th Assembly District represented by Tedisco and the 43^rd State Senate District represented by Marchione.

Each year tens of thousands of horses in our country are transported across state lines to Canada or Mexico for slaughter and sent overseas for food consumption. The 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand was sent to Japan in 2002 where he was slaughtered and became either pet food or steaks for human consumption. Europe has been rocked by recent scandals over horsemeat sold as beef that contained veterinary medicine that’s prohibited from human consumption.

“Horses have stood by people all throughout history doing whatever we’ve asked of them. Now we need to stand up for them and end the barbaric slaughter of these magnificent animals,” said Joanne Pepper, owner of Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield, NY.

“As the owner of a Kentucky Derby-winning horse, the realities of horse slaughter sound very real when one considers the fate of another Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand, whose ultimate fate was in the slaughter house. I believe any horse owner should support any effort on the state or federal level to prevent horse slaughter in our country,” said Jack Knowlton, Operating Manager of Sackatoga Stable, racing manager for 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Winner Funny Cide.

“We applaud Assemblyman Jim Tedisco and Senator Kathy Marchione for their sponsorship of legislation which would ban the slaughter of New York equines for human consumption. Horses are sporting, recreational and companion animals. Like dogs and cats, they deserve to be humanely euthanized at the end of their lives, not sent to the slaughterhouse. Horses are not bred for consumption and should be removed from the food chain entirely. We feel strongly that New York should follow California, Illinois, Texas and New Jersey in banning horse slaughter as we progress toward the ultimate goal to prohibit the slaughter of any wild or domestic equine from the United States,” said Susan Wagner, President, Equine Advocates in Chatham, NY.

“Saratoga WarHorse is committed to saving horses from slaughter by repurposing them to teach veterans to connect with horses to work through the emotional scars of warfare. Our program for veterans demonstrates every day that these horses have a lot they can give even after their racing days are over,” said Bob Nevins, Founder of Saratoga WarHorse.

“This year, our community will celebrate the 150^th year of the Saratoga Race Course, the oldest sporting venue in the U.S. As we look to the future of Thoroughbred Horse Racing, it’s imperative that we thank organizations like Old Friends of Cabin Creek for the great work they do to care for the retired thoroughbred horses, many of whom have raced at Saratoga. We also need to get behind our local legislators who are leading the charge to ban the slaughter of these horses for food as part of our overall commitment to the care and well-being of these horses. This will be a great year in Saratoga and it would be even better if this legislation were to pass as we look forward to the next 150 years of racing in Saratoga,” said Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

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Assemblyman to propose and support budget amendments to restore OPWDD funding for the disabled, have state government save $50 million by going digital while reducing paper waste,

offer tax credits to gas stations to install emergency back-up generators

As the Assembly takes up the New York State Budget bills today, Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) today will call for and support amendments to the budget to protect people with developmental disabilities and save millions of tax dollars by having state government go digital with its messaging. Tedisco also will offer an amendment to prevent another burden on small businesses by providing the carrot of a tax credit instead of the club of a fine for installation of emergency back-up generators at gas stations to better prepare for future natural disasters like Super Storm Sandy.

The state budget cuts programs and services for people with developmental disabilities by $90 million yet maintains a $420 million tax credit for Hollywood movie studios and television networks to film movies and shows in the Empire State including a much-derided $5 million tax credit to NBC/Comcast for Jimmy Fallon to host the “Tonight Show” in New York City.

On March 4^th, Tedisco joined 108 of his Assembly colleagues, including 78 Democrats to sign a letter calling for full restoration of OPWDD programs and services for people with developmental disabilities.

“I like Jimmy Fallon. He’s very funny. Jimmy and I both went to the College of St. Rose. I became a special education teacher and he became a comedian, but taking money from people with developmental disabilities is no joke,” said Tedisco.

“Today, the legislators who signed this letter will get a chance to not only talk the talk but walk the walk when it comes to standing up for our most vulnerable citizens. I and my Assembly Republican colleagues will be introducing an amendment to fully restore OPWDD funding. The role of state government is to have spending priorities and protect our most vulnerable citizens in the state budget. Our priority should be looking out for families and people with developmental disabilities, not giving taxpayer-funded handouts to the Tonight Show and support the lifestyles of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills,” said Tedisco.

Assembly Republicans also will offer Tedisco’s bill (A.6080) to save taxpayers an estimated $50 million by ending the unnecessary printing of state agency and legislative reports, digests and the hundreds of thousands of bills that sit in the Assembly and Senate Document rooms waiting for someone, anyone, to pick them up and move state government into the digital domain of he 21^st century.

“Our Founding Fathers were wise but they never envisioned I-Pads, Kindles, laptops and smart phones as a means of delivering information. Hundreds of thousands of pieces of paper are needlessly printed each year by the Legislature and even more by state departments, agencies, authorities colleges and universities, much of it going unread and tossed into landfills. This is no way to treat Mother Earth or taxpayers funds!”

Tedisco will be offering, in addition, an amendment to encourage gas stations and convenience stores across the state to install commercial generators to keep gas flowing when the power grid is down by offering them an income tax credit for up to $15,000 toward the cost of the generator. A commercial-size generator costs up to $30,000 to install and up to another $8,000 a year to maintain. The budget mandates that gas stations in certain downstate counties become wired for generators and offers up to $13,000 in federally funded grants or $10,000 for just the wiring of a generator – a lot less than what the ultimate costs will be to many of these small businesses.

“Accessing fuel in times of emergency is not a luxury it’s a matter of family security. Rather than hitting struggling small businesses with another mandate, let’s give them an incentive to ensure the gas keeps flowing and the refrigerators keep humming when disaster strikes New York State,” said Tedisco.

To view the Assembly debate on the budget, click here.

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Assemblyman says taxpayer money for “Jimmy Fallon-tax cut” should go to restoring services for people with developmental disabilities,

not rich and famous in Beverly Hills

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) today blasted the so-called tax cut carve-out in the proposed New York State Budget to lure late night talk shows like the “Tonight Show” to New York.

The budget would make state tax credits available for the producers of “a talk or variety program that filmed at least five seasons outside the state prior to its first relocated season in New York.” Jimmy Fallon is reportedly soon to be named as the next host of the “Tonight Show,” which is currently filmed in Burbank, California.

Tedisco is calling on the state to allocate the $5 million the budget has set aside to bring Jimmy Fallon and the “Tonight Show” to New York toward restoring services for people with developmental disabilities.

The Governor’s initial budget cuts funding for the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities by $120 million.

“The role of state government is to have spending priorities and protect our most vulnerable citizens in the state budget. Our priority should be looking out for families and people with developmental disabilities in communities like Ballston Spa, not giving taxpayer-funded handouts to support the lifestyles of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills,” said Tedisco.

“There are some good things in this budget that I support but it’s outrageous in this fragile economy to spend millions of tax dollars on a late night talk show when thousands of people with developmental disabilities may lose the services they need,” said Tedisco.

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Assemblyman says state budget should be debated and voted on in full view of public and media between 8 a.m. and midnight

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) today said that New Yorkers not only deserve a good state budget but also a transparent process for its passage in the next few days by calling for the state spending plan to be voted on and debated in full view of the public and media between the hours of 8 a.m. and midnight.

Tedisco is the chief sponsor of the New York State Government Transparency Act (A.4762), a constitutional amendment that would stop the clock on all legislative proceedings between midnight and 8 a.m. and limit messages of necessity, except in the case of genuine emergencies such as a security threat, natural disaster or dire fiscal situation. The bill requires a two-thirds majority vote to take up any message of necessity.

All too often important policy issues are made late at night. While the Governor has indicated that he does not intend to issue messages of necessity for the state budget –there’s no guarantee that budget bills won’t be passed in the dark of night.

“While I’m glad the Governor has pledged not to use messages of necessity to get his way on the budget, I’m concerned that major policy changes such as the minimum wage, tax relief for families and small businesses, the 18-A energy tax, funding for our schools and state support for people with developmental disabilities, will be debated and voted on at 3 a.m. in the dark of the night when the public and the Fourth Estate, the media, are asleep,” said Tedisco.

“In wartime, sleep deprivation is a tool to confuse your enemies. Besides the lack of sleep, there’s an incentive for some restless legislators to agree to whatever is on their desks without much debate or discussion so they can just get out of Albany and go home to their families. This is not about working long hours. We’ll work as long as it takes to get the job done, but let’s do it right. We’re not a debating society but we do need to debate and flesh out the bills in the interest of our representative democracy,” said Tedisco.

“As I’ve frequently noted, Bob Woodward has said the worst thing we have to fear as Americans is ‘secret government because in darkness democracy dies.’ New Yorkers should sleep comfortably with sweet dreams in the dead of the night and not have to worry about having nightmares about the actions of their lawmakers and governor,” said Tedisco.

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