2005 Progress Report
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From Assemblyman
Gary D. Finch



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Assemblyman Gary D. Finch helped pass New York’s first on-time budget in 21 years.

Dear Neighbor:

A common concern expressed to me by constituents during my travels across the district is the need to reform state government. This is a priority for me, too, so here’s an update on our progress.

The state Legislature passed an on-time budget this year for the first time in 21 years. It’s inexcusable we went that long without a timely spending plan, but I’m proud the reforms I advanced led the way to an on-time plan.

We’ve also successfully reformed some of the rules that govern Assembly operations. We approved a Medicaid relief plan for county taxpayers that soon takes effect, and our focus now will be on relieving the burden placed on taxpayers by other unfunded state mandates.

As your representative in Albany, I’ll continue fighting for meaningful reform. If you have a concern that you’d like to share with me or my staff, please contact my district office.

Sincerely,
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Gary D. Finch
Member of the Assembly



Assemblyman Finch Assemblyman Gary D. Finch
2005 Progress Report

checked box Pass First On-time Budget in 21 Years
dots Held first-ever, five-way public budget negotiations. Minority leaders from both houses were included in budget negotiations with the majority leaders and governor for the first time in memory. The discussions also were held in public.
dots Initiated budget conference committees. This cornerstone of the budget negotiations created bipartisan work groups from the Assembly and Senate whose members hammered out agreements on each major segment of the spending plan.
checked box Reform Assembly Rules
dots An end to empty-seat voting: This provision requires legislators to physically be in the Assembly chamber to vote on bills.
dots Requiring actual meetings of the Rules Committee and published agendas: Opening this process to the public allows constituents to see some of the causes of legislative gridlock that the members and public alike despise.
dots Relaxed motion to discharge rules allowing rank-and-file members to more easily bring legislation to the floor: Minority members can have their proposals heard on the floor more easily, thus easing the stranglehold the Assembly majority has on the house.
box Reform Medicaid
dots This year’s budget caps local Medicaid costs at their current levels, with fixed increases over the next few years. This is designed to prevent Medicaid cost spikes that forced many counties to constantly raise property taxes.
dots Medicaid fraud must be eliminated by increasing penalties for program violations and creating incentives to encourage reporting of Medicaid fraud. Eliminating the fraud will help lower the cost burden on everyone.
box Reform State Mandates
dots I propose a ban on all new, unfunded state mandates because of their negative impacts on local taxpayers, business owners and the economy. We must also establish a program to reimburse localities for the costs associated with past and current unfunded mandates.




If you have any questions about the issues mentioned here, or any other matter of state importance, contact Assemblyman Finch at:
69 South Street • Auburn, NY 13021 • (315) 255-3045
718 Legislative Office Building • Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-5878
Finchg@assembly.state.ny.us



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