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outdated and costly workers' compensation and public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.