Lowering Property Taxes:
When Albany politicians refused to create Jobs, build the economy, lower property taxes, and reform government – Jim Tedisco stood up for us! When no one had the courage to talk real property tax reform, Jim pushed a property tax cap – which now has a real chance of becoming law.
Capping Spending:
When politicians supported out-of-control spending and taxes — Jim Tedisco stood up for us! In the middle of a deep recession, Governor Paterson and Albany politicians passed a budget that raised $8.2 billion in taxes and fees from families and businesses to protect special interests and grow government. Jim sponsored legislation to cap state spending. He bucked the big-spending bureaucrats, dissented, and voted for us.
Cutting Taxes to Create Jobs:
When we needed quality jobs more than ever, some politicians pushed job-killing taxes. Jim Tedisco has stood for a healthy environment for our job-creators, authoring legislation to eliminate unfunded mandates and offer tax incentives for businesses hiring unemployed New Yorkers.
A “Hero of Reform” Who Stands Up for Us:
When state government refused to reform itself, Tedisco boldly drafted legislation so that lawmakers who don’t do their jobs are recalled from elected office (www.recallpetition.net). He also insisted legislators and the Governor obey the law by negotiating an on-time budget in public or be deprived of their salaries and fined. Jim led the way with a People’s Convention to Reform New York. Because of his efforts, Jim was named a “Hero of Reform” by the non-partisan New York Uprising, a good government watchdog group.
Confining Sex Predators and Keeping Them Off Our Streets:
When legislators wouldn’t confine dangerous sex offenders – Jim stood up for us! Cow towing to downstate activists, the majority of Assembly Members wouldn’t move to keep released sex offenders far away from our children. It took years, but Jim Tedisco and passionate parents kept pressing to civilly confine sexual predators prone to attack again. Together, they beat the Albany power brokers and passed a tough civil confinement law to keep predators confined and off our streets.
Protecting Defenseless Pets from Abuse:
When tortured animals and their owners didn’t have a champion – Tedisco stood up for us! Our state government is supposed to represent us all. It doesn’t. When animals were cruelly tortured, it was not a surprise that Jim stood up and helped pass Buster’s Bill. The law protects defenseless pets and their owners from dangerous offenders who often go on to commit larger crimes against human beings.
Standing Up to Protect Us:
When former Governor Spitzer bullied us and jeopardized our safety – Jim Tedisco stood up for us! When Governor Spitzer tried to give illegal aliens drivers’ licenses, Jim Tedisco didn’t wait for Albany politicians to stand up to the powerful state leader. Tedisco emerged as the first representative to denounce the bad idea. Spitzer famously said he would steam roll Tedisco, but as always, Jim stood up for us and successfully stopped the dangerous scheme!
