The Remarks Of Speaker Sheldon Silver

Post "State Of The State" Press Conference

Assembly Parlor
Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Audio Excerpt 1 (20 seconds) Audio Excerpt 2 (16 seconds) Audio Excerpt 3 (23 seconds) View Transcript

Let me begin by congratulating Governor Spitzer on his historic and first State of the State Address.

The speech was strong. It was comprehensive. It was straight to the point.

For its content and spiritedness, I give the speech a solid "A," and I look forward to seeing how Governor Spitzer translates his vision into his first executive budget, which will be presented on January 31st.

I'm sure you agree that it was good to hear from a governor who is excited by the challenge of leading the Empire State.

Certainly, it is delightful to hear from a governor who means what he says and says what he means.

As for the vision being advanced by Eliot Spitzer, I am reminded of the words of Doctor Martin Luther King: "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

Speaking for The People's House of this State Legislature, I am here to tell you that we have faith in the Spitzer Administration, and that I and my colleagues in the Assembly Majority already have been working with this Governor to help shape that better vision for the 21st Century New York State.

We are genuinely thrilled by the cooperative spirit and the atmosphere of collegiality generated by the new administration.

Frankly, we are delighted to have a real, proven leader at the helm of this State.

Eliot Spitzer is the "real deal" make no mistake about it, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with him to accomplish the numerous goals that the previous administration would not or could not handle.

As for the themes outlined in the Governor's remarks, I ask you, how could I or my colleagues be anything but satisfied?

When it comes to government reform, the Assembly Majority owns a clearly defined record of achievement.

In 2005, the Assembly - in bipartisan fashion - adopted changes to improve operations and to make "The People's House" more open and accountable.

We took action on an omnibus package of bills addressing budget reform, public authorities reform, campaign finance reform, HAVA, lobbying reform, judicial reform, as well as reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws.

To take this government where I want it to go, where you want it to go, we need comprehensive campaign finance reform. That is the linchpin.

Since becoming Speaker, I have sponsored - and the Assembly has repeatedly passed - legislation that would radically and permanently reform our state's campaign financing system.

Remember, the first law providing public finance for elections was authored by Assemblyman Sheldon Silver in 1985, when I was Chair of the Assembly's Elections Committee.

The Assembly has passed modified versions of my original bill in every session since then.

In addition, we have led the way in computerizing state-level campaign records.

I firmly believe that public financing is the only way we can guarantee that the public's needs are at the forefront of government decisions.

Last year, we further advanced our reform efforts with ethics legislation that demand greater accountability and openness from all public officials.

Among the reforms contained in the ethics legislation passed in the Assembly are a cap on gifts and honoraria, further restrictions on the ability of former legislative officials to lobby, and prohibitions on the personal use of campaign funds.

The Assembly is committed to working with Governor Spitzer and the Senate to enact a strong ethics reform agenda this year.

As for the Upstate economy, (the "Main Street" economy), no leader, no government entity has addressed this issue more often or more comprehensively over the last twelve years than we have, the Assembly Majority.

Year after year, we advance comprehensive economic plans that encompass university/industry partnerships for high-tech development, targeted tax cuts, strategic workforce development, low-cost energy, certified capital companies to provide venture capital, tourism, and incentives to generate small business growth.

Last year, we passed "Restore New York," a program that provides municipalities with financial assistance to spur the revitalization of commercial and residential properties.

All of our strategies we have advanced are rooted in our own, ongoing dialogue with business, industry and labor.

Let me add that we are thoroughly supportive of the Governor's "Innovation Economy." In fact, right up Washington Avenue, Albany Nano is a perfect example of what Assembly leadership has already accomplished.

It took years for the previous administration to get on board the idea of university/industry partnerships to spur high-tech innovation.

On Day One, the Spitzer Administration was already on board.

That's good news for all New Yorkers.

When it comes to education, do you really need to hear me deliver another speech?

The financing of public education, school accountability, school construction and renovation, academic standards, smaller class sizes, universal pre-K, professional development for teachers, after-school programming, more computers, more laboratories, more and better tools for students, this is Assembly leadership at its best.

No one has stood taller for the children in our classrooms than has the Assembly Majority, and that's a fact.

It is good to have a governor who understands the critical nature of public education and is ready and willing to step up to the plate.

The same is true for health care.

Affordable, quality, accessible health care for all New Yorkers, that has been our battle cry for more than a decade.

We are eager to work with the new administration to move us closer to the day when New York State can boast universal health coverage.

Regarding tax cuts, let me be clear.

From the sales tax to the Earned Income Tax Credit to property taxes, the Assembly has worked diligently to provide relief to hardworking families across this State.

We look forward to working with Governor Spitzer to further advance this goal.

Of course, there are many, many more issues on the Assembly's agenda, public safety and homeland security for example.

We must reduce energy costs.

We must strengthen our transportation infrastructure.

We must do a better job of cleaning up and protecting the environment.

We have already been working with this Governor to reform Workers' Compensation to lower employer premiums while enhancing the benefits workers receive.

We will continue to advance stem cell research in this State.

Remember, I stood alongside Christopher Reeve right here in Albany back in March of 2003, and introduced the first stem-cell-research legislation in the history of this State; legislation which the Assembly Majority embraced.

Let's not forget an issue I live and breathe every day: the reconstruction and revitalization of Lower Manhattan.

I am pleased that the Governor has extended his hand to me and to Mayor Bloomberg to ensure stronger, smarter leadership guiding Lower Manhattan's future.

Over the last twelve years, we have witnessed what happens when the "two party system" degenerates into a "too petty system."

I applaud Governor Spitzer's call for unity so that we can combine our talents and resources to address the myriad challenges facing New Yorkers in every one of our 62 counties.

The hardworking families of this State, the men and women who are working one, two, three jobs; who put their children's futures first, who make time to serve their communities, who abide by the laws, they deserve a better, more dignified, more active state government; one whose leaders are unified in their commitment to public service.

The Governor is right. We must build a better and brighter Empire State, one where opportunity is plentiful, where young people can establish their homes, raise their families, pursue their dreams and opportunities; a state where the least prosperous can lift themselves up and raise their quality of living, where all New Yorkers are secure in the knowledge that their government is doing the job it is supposed to do.

I extend my hand to the Governor and to my colleagues in the Senate so that together we can bring to fruition the principles of "One New York" espoused by the Governor.