The 2012 legislative session was a productive one and comes to a close today in Albany. All in all, my colleagues and I undertook many initiatives this year to enhance the quality of life for New Yorkers and came to agreements on many issues.

Through sound fiscal planning, we closed a massive budget deficit and managed to create the lowest middle-class tax rate in nearly 60 years. We also took several steps to address public safety, from the I-STOP program, to tougher laws against child pornography and an expanded DNA databank. We also committed to our roads and bridges and our State Parks, which helps all New Yorkers.

While there is still more work to be done to provide the mandate relief for our counties and promote economic growth, several steps were taken in 2012 to put New York back on track and create a brighter future for the citizens of the Empire State.