There is an enormous amount of potential built into every new Legislative Session. As we look at various public policy proposals before us, the Legislature has the power, and responsibility, to develop a clear vision for improving New York and then executing it effectively and efficiently. It is truly an exciting time.

New Year’s Day is upon us. In 2019, it is my hope, and the hope of my colleagues in the Assembly Minority Conference, that we can do better. Albany has strayed too far from the foundation of sound policies in favor of scoring political points. Too many have turned away from New York’s high tax, over-regulated and underperforming business climate. However, with the right blend of strategic, targeted legislation aimed at sparking the economy, and the cooperation of public officials from both sides of the aisle, New York can, again, realize its potential as the financial and cultural capital of the world.

LOOKING AHEAD TO PRIORITY POLICIES IN 2019

New York has a serious cost-of-living problem. Residents and business owners must contend with astronomical taxes that simply do not return anywhere close to enough to justify them. Our schools aren’t funded equitably, and our infrastructure is woefully failing. These are not fringe issues; they strike at the heart of our day-to-day lives. It is no coincidence that New York leads the nation in number of people moving out of the state for greener pastures. Here are a few reforms the Assembly Minority Conference would like to see as we begin anew in 2019:

• Make the property tax cap permanent to ensure some of the highest taxes in the nation doesn’t become even more oppressive;
• Overhaul corrupt, wasteful, and ineffective economic development programs with improved oversight and actual cost-benefit analyses;
• Reduce property taxes by requiring Albany to pay the bill for programs and mandates it forces onto localities, rather than passing on all costs to homeowners;
• Enact term limits for legislative leaders and committee chairs to reduce the concentration of power in Albany;
• Significantly increase state support for local roads and bridges and fight back against the decay of our state’s infrastructure;
• Support people with developmental disabilities by increasing funding for housing, respite, transportation and employment opportunities in their home communities;
• Make college more affordable by increasing Community College Base Aid, raising the Tuition Assistance Program income threshold and offering assistance to young people struggling with college loans;
• Give law enforcement the tools it needs to combat the opioid crisis;
• Speed up the implementation of the Middle-Class Tax Cuts enacted in 2016;
• Develop a Metropolitan Transportation Authority action plan that directs existing resources to immediate needs without raising taxes, tolls or fees;

This is just a fraction of the measures we could adopt to improve our great state. Most importantly, the job of the Legislature is to “do no harm.” We must give all New Yorkers the tools they need to succeed without barraging them with wasteful taxes and crippling regulations.

I hope each of you have a safe and happy New Year’s celebration. There is much to celebrate as we look ahead, and I am hopeful for a productive, exciting and prosperous 2019.

What do you think? I want to hear from you. Send me your feedback, suggestions and ideas regarding this or any other issue facing New York State. You can always contact my district office at (315) 781-2030 or email me at kolbb@nyassembly.gov.