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June 23, 2006

2006 Legislative Session Ends on High Note
Late agreements on budget, tax relief, Medicaid fraud, crime

After a lackluster season in which much-needed economic development and reform measures failed to gain passage, the New York State Legislature concluded the 2006 session with agreements on several important issues, including budget clean-up, property tax breaks, Medicaid fraud, the expansion of the state's DNA criminal database and tough new penalties for DWI offenders. These bills will save New Yorkers millions of dollars in wasted tax dollars and make our communities, families and children safer.

However, it is my hope that in 2007, the Legislature will aggressively focus on reform of our outdated and costly workers' compensation and public debt policies. Only by reducing taxes and the high cost of doing business in New York will we truly revitalize our economy and provide the job opportunities that are so urgently needed for New York's working families, especially in Upstate.

2006 End-of-Session Highlights

  • Budget agreement. The Legislature and Governor overcame almost all outstanding disputes over this year's budget to reach several important agreements, including: property tax breaks, fair reimbursement for upstate nursing homes and a state-of-the-art chip fab plant.
  • Medicaid fraud. The Legislature approved the consolidation of six agencies in order to create the Office of Medicaid Inspector General. This will save state taxpayers $300 million, and there will be additional benefits because county governments are entitled to portion of the monies recovered in fraud cases.
  • DNA database expansion. The Assembly and Senate agreed to increase the scope of New York's criminal DNA database to include everyone convicted of felonies and 18 significant misdemeanors, including various degrees of stalking, menacing and child endangerment. This will make finding and convicting dangerous criminals an easier task for our law enforcement agencies.
  • Tougher drunk driving penalties. A new crime of aggravated DWI has been created for drivers with blood alcohol levels 0.18 percent or higher. We have mandated harsher sentences for these individuals when operating vehicles such as school buses or commercial vehicles. Also, the Legislature acted to crack down on repeat DWI offenders with penalties ranging from 7 to 15 years in prison.
  • Budget reform. The Legislature followed through on its committment to reforming the budget process. In direct response to voter referendum from last fall, agreements were reached to improve budget making by creating an Independent Budget Office, implementing two-year forward education funding for school districts and moving the due date until May 1st
  • My Legislative Agenda

    This year, I sponsored numerous bills regarding the issues that most matter to me as an elected official and as a citizen of New York. My priorities include support for veterans returning from service to their country, eliminating legal loopholes for dangerous sex offenders and improving New York's business climate by reforming our public debt, workers' compensation system and industrial development agencies.

    On the economic front, I was gratified to have an expanded, extended version of my film production tax credit included in the 2006-2007 budget. This ensures that an already successful program will continue to generate billions of dollars in economic activity and create thousands of jobs by attracting major movie and TV productions to our state.

    Closer to home in 2006, Monroe County's delegation to the state legislature also secured historic levels of operating aid for the City of Rochester as well as increases in funding for school districts and towns, reducing the need for local governments to turn to property taxpayers for revenue. The Assembly was also able to deliver $12 million for reconstruction of the collapsed South Avenue parking garage in the city, a project vital to downtown businesses.

    I'm also pleased that we reached agreement on a land transfer that paves the way for reconstruction of Interstate 590 north of Titus Avenue in Irondequoit. The new highway will be safer and more efficient, and make an excellent gateway for Irondequoit's Seabreeze and waterfront sections.

    As your voice in the Assembly, I will continue to fight for policies that promote economic growth, public safety, stronger communities and reform of state government. As always, I thank you for your support and for the opportunity to represent you.

    About NYS Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle

    Since 1990, Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle has represented the 132nd Assembly District, which includes portions of the city of Rochester and the Monroe County suburbs of Irondequoit and Brighton. During his tenure in the NYS Legislature, Joe has made economic development and expanding employment opportunities his top priority.

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