FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TODAY:  6/23/09

Contact: Suzanne Redmond (315) 255-3045

 

 

'09 SESSION PRESENTS SMALL SUCCESSES, STEPS IN RIGHT DIRECTION

 

 

     When I think back about this year's session, I have mixed feelings about what was accomplished.  While there are serious issues that still need to be addressed next session, we were able to take small strides towards reforming New York state.  We were able to pass a number of substantive bills that will both make New York safer for our families and will help preserve the future prosperity of our state.  The following are a few examples of legislation passed this session:

 

     a.. A.1242-B - Allows visitors to the state sex offender Web site to register for e-mail notification when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood.  This has also passed the Senate and will hopefully soon be signed into law by the governor;

     b.. A.8568-B - Bans text messaging while driving, making our streets safer;

     c.. A.6051-A - Allows volunteer firefighters to operate fire trucks in their official job duties without a commercial driver's license;

     d.. A.8901-A - Enacts the Green Jobs-Green New York Act of 2009, which promotes energy efficiency, energy conservation and the installation of clean energy technologies, to reduce energy consumption and costs, reduce greenhouse emissions, support sustainable community development and to create green job opportunities; and

 

     We also were able to pass Assembly Bill A.8501 which will empower citizens, local officials and counties to reorganize and consolidate resources and streamline processes.  As a matter of fact, the towns of Homer and Scott in Cortland County are considering a consolidation plan at this very moment and it is estimated that local tax bills could be cut by as much as two thirds.

 

     I am disappointed by another year of missed opportunities and misplaced priorities.  We are living through a time of recession and instead of passing legislation to ease the financial burden facing New Yorkers, political differences have prevented such advancements from occurring.

 

     The Senate's stalemate may have overshadowed the usual partisan politics we deal with in the Assembly, but two glaring omissions come to mind when I think about potential solutions to New York's economic woes.

First, we need to cut spending as outlined in Assembly Bill A8975, which would have capped state spending to the average rate of inflation for the previous three years.

 

     It's quite obvious that New York's government is out of control when it comes to taking taxpayer money, overspending, and then further increasing the tax bill.  My colleagues and I have long supported a more conservative approach toward governing our state - you cannot continually spend beyond your means without sacrificing your future financial security.

 

     The second issue goes hand-in-hand with overspending.  New York's government loves to increase taxes to cover up its financial shortfalls.

 

     The people of New York have struggled and can no longer afford to pay for the government's capricious spending habits.  Our enormous tax property bills are just one major example of a larger, more disturbing trend that must be addressed.  However, my conference's Property Taxpayer Protection Act would have gone to great lengths to easing the financial burden property owners are saddled with.  Unfortunately, partisan politics once again came between the people of New York and substantive tax relief.

 

     I will continue to work to hold Albany accountable and bring about the financial and ethical reforms that we need to make government work for the people of New York.  Our bloated state budget continues to grow and it is essential that we come to an immediate solution to this problem.

While we made small strides this year, it is my hope that next year we will be able to come together for the betterment of New York as a whole.

 

 

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Mike Avella Jr.

Press Coordinator

NYS Assembly Minority

(518) 455-5981

F (518) 455-5057

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TODAY:  6/18/09

Contact: Suzanne Redmond (315) 255-3045

ASSEMBLYMAN FINCH PASSES SEX OFFENDER E-MAIL NOTIFICATION BILL

 

 

 

     Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I - Springport) last night voted for the passage of legislation that will allow New Yorkers to sign up to receive e-mail alerts when sex offenders move into their communities.

 

     "Elected officials have a duty to protect the families of New York and to give them every possible resource to keep their loved ones  safe," said Finch.  "This legislation will allow parents to ensure that their children are aware of where potential threats live and how to avoid them."

 

     Assembly Bill A.1242-b, which passed almost unanimously last night, will allow residents of New York to register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to receive free e-mail notifications when a Level 2 or 3 sex offender has registered in an area specified by the resident.

  

     "While there is always a directory available of the highest risk predators, now parents won't have to worry about constantly monitoring the site," Finch stated.  "This is an important step towards keeping our children safe from sex predators.  Parents can be sure that they will always be kept apprised of what's going on in their neighborhood with automatic e-mail updates.  It is my hope that the governor will take swift action in signing this bill into law so that we can keep predators away from our families."

 

 

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Mike Avella Jr.

Press Coordinator

NYS Assembly Minority

(518) 455-5981

F (518) 455-5057

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TODAY:  6/17/09

Contact: Suzanne Redmond (315) 255-3045

 

 

ASSEMBLYMAN FINCH TOURS BUSINESSES IN 123RD ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

 

 

 

     Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I - Springport) recently took a tour of businesses in his Assembly District.  The trip included stops at five different establishments, including Sunnyside Farms, Dill's Run Vineyard, Logan Park Lofts, Custom Cleaners and NUCOR Steel Auburn. 

 

At 10 am, the tour began at Sunnyside Farms, which is owned and operated by Jack Rejman and his two sons.  They discussed matters affecting farmers, and ways to improve the agricultural industry in New York.
	The next stop was Dill's Run Vineyard, a local winery.  Dill's Run produces numerous types of locally grown and produced wines.  Finch is pictured here with William Heary, owner of the vineyard.
Next Gary visited the Logan Park Lofts where Joe Bartolotta and family are renovating the old Wegman piano factory and turning it into a gated apartment community.
	On the way to his final destination, Finch stopped at Custom Cleaners.Gary, who does his personal cleaning at Custom is pictured here with the owner, Tom Stadniuk.
The day concluded with a stop at the NUCOR Steel Plant.  Plant Manager Michael Keller joined Gary as they toured the plant, which employs about 290 people in the area.

    

 

     "The 123rd Assembly District has a diverse economy, from small business to farming to manufacturing," said Finch.  "It was great to meet the people that make our economy run. There's no better way to serve the people then to get out and get up-close and personal to get a better understanding of the issues affecting us all."

 

 

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Mike Avella Jr.

Press Coordinator

NYS Assembly Minority

(518) 455-5981

F (518) 455-5057

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TODAY:  6/12/09

Contact: Suzanne Redmond (315) 255-3045

FINCH CALLS ON CBS TO FIRE LETTERMAN

     Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I - Springport) today has called for CBS Corporation President & Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves to terminate David Letterman's contract with the network.  Assemblyman Finch sent a letter via personal courier (see attached) to Mr. Moonves asking for Mr. Letterman to be fired.

      "Governor Sarah Palin was a guest of the City of Auburn in New York state," said Finch.  "She was subjected to degrading comments about herself, her 14-year-old daughter, and all women, on primetime television by Late Show host David Letterman.  I find these comments to be completely unacceptable and outrageous."

      Governor Palin was in Auburn, New York to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Statehood of Alaska.  She toured and addressed a crowd at the former home of Secretary of State William H. Seward, who was instrumental in the purchase of the Alaskan territory from Imperial Russia.

      While staying in Upstate New York, Governor Palin and her family also took time to tour the home of Harriet Tubman who helped free slaves using the Underground Railroad.  They visited the Women's Rights National Historic Park and National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York.

     "Mr. Letterman made these comments on the heels of Governor Palin's visits to notable landmarks of abolitionists and women's rights advocates," Finch stated.  "These comments and Mr. Letterman's continued degrading comments about women during the explanation of his remarks was appalling."

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Mike Avella Jr.

Press Coordinator

NYS Assembly Minority

(518) 455-5981

F (518) 455-5057

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TODAY:  6/9/09

Contact: Suzanne Redmond (315) 255-3045

FINCH STANDS UP FOR NEW YORK'S FAMILY FARMS

            Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I - Springport) today joined colleagues from his Assembly Republican Conference in celebration of Dairy Day in the well of the Legislative Office Building.  The day was not all positive, however.  Finch and his colleagues also stood up in opposition to recently passed legislation that has the potential to shut down small family farms across New York.

            "Dairy Day is usually a celebration of all of the wonderful products that dairy farmers provide for us," said Finch.  "While I was pleased to meet with many distributors of dairy products and enjoy the festivities, I felt there was an air of concern caused by yesterday's passage of such destructive farm legislation."

            The "Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act," which passed yesterday in the Assembly, will further impose burdensome mandates on small farms and will considerably increase the cost of doing business.  The New York Farm Bureau is strongly opposed to this legislation, and estimates that it would cost New York's family farms over $200 million per year.  In a time when farmers are already facing economic hardships, this will inevitably force many farms out of business, noted Finch.

            "I join my colleagues in strong opposition to legislation that will hurt farmers and force many farms - especially small ones - to close," Finch stated.  "Increasing the cost of doing business in New York state and therefore increasing the cost of food for our working families is exactly what we should not do during this economic crisis."

Mike Avella Jr.

Press Coordinator

NYS Assembly Minority

(518) 455-5981

F (518) 455-5057

FINCH: FARM BILL WILL DESTROY NEW YORK FARMING INDUSTRY

            Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I - Springport) today voted against the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act, saying it will destroy the state's agriculture industry because of the burdensome and costly regulations it creates.

            "This bill will place another massive, undue burden on farmers.

The farming industry is already on the verge of failure and, if this bill is to be signed into law, it will essentially end small family farms in New York," said Finch.  "It's just another example of how not to legislate. These new regulations are the strictest in the nation.  Most businesses'  

            Under bill A. 1867, family farms would be required to pay time-and-a-half to workers for any hours worked in excess of eight per day. Farmers also would be forced to allow farm workers one day off per week, even during the seasons when constant supervision of animals and crops is essential.

            Farmers are already left shorthanded with an estimated 25 percent of crops lost each year due to a lack of labor.  This bill will force farmers to manage the hours of their workers, leaving them even further understaffed and ill-prepared to harvest their crops.

            "Having recently met with farmers in my district, I know that they were already facing a great struggle even without these new regulations," said Finch.  "The new law would put them out of business, plain and simple.  While the legislation is supposedly designed to help farm workers, it's going to have the exact opposite effect, limiting the hours for those that are lucky enough to be left with jobs."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TODAY:  6/8/09

Contact: Suzanne Redmond (315) 255-3045

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR TOMORROW,

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2009

ASSEMBLY MINORITY CONFERENCE AND LOCAL FARMERS TO DISCUSS NEGATIVE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE

SO-CALLED "FARMWORKERS FAIR LABOR PRACTICES ACT"

            Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua), Assemblyman Cliff Crouch (R,I-Guilford), Ranking Member on the Assembly Agriculture Committee, and their colleagues will be joined by local farmers, processors and agriculture experts, TOMORROW, Tuesday, June 9, at 11:45 a.m., in "The Well" of the Legislative Office Building to discuss the negative economic impact of the so-called "Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act," (Assembly Bill A.1867).

The particulars for TOMORROW'S press conference are as follows:

ALL MEDIA WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

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Mike Avella Jr.

Press Coordinator

NYS Assembly Minority

(518) 455-5981

F (518) 455-5057

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TODAY:  6/2/09

Contact: Suzanne Redmond (315) 255-3045

FINCH FIGHTING FOR FUTURE OF CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AND SAFETY OF NEW YORKERS

     Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I - Springport), along with members of his Assembly Republican Conference, hosted a forum for open discussion of issues dealing with New York's correctional system.  As Co-Chairman of the event, Finch fielded testimony from various members of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA).

     "We must all look within to cut costs in times of need, but not at the expense of the safety of New Yorkers," said Finch.  "The brave men and women of New York's correctional system put their lives on the line every day in an effort to rehabilitate and shape productive members of society.  For me, it is not an option to further endanger corrections staff by taking an already overcrowded prison population and condensing it into fewer facilities.  Forums such as these are great for bringing about new ideas and for working for a better solution."

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Mike Avella Jr.

Press Coordinator

NYS Assembly Minority

(518) 455-5981

F (518) 455-5057