“Show us the money” ”“ or at least where it will come from ”“ was the underlying theme west-of-the-Hudson legislators shared with business leaders at a recent meeting in Newburgh.
They spoke of bloated personnel rosters in state government, skyrocketing property taxes, unaffordable health care and a lack of aid to stimulate the mid-Hudson economy.
State Sen. John Bonacic, R-C-Mt. Hope, described the atmosphere in the capital as “somewhat toxic.” He and peers agreed partisanship and political sniping have left Albany in a state of gridlock.
The sentiments emerged from the Orange County Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Ramada Inn on Jan. 16.
Wondering how the state plans to pay for the ambitious proposals Spitzer announced, Bonacic said New York has “$53 billion debt to take care of. Where is the money for all the initiatives the governor called for in his State of the State address going to come from? With one out of every 100 homes in the state in foreclosure, we”™re in a time of cautiousness, which calls for spending cautiously. The governor has promised no new taxes. How is he going to manage to accomplish the programs he”™s put forth?”
Health care was the chamber”™s top concern, said John D”™Ambrosio, president of the 2,400-member Orange County Chamber of Commerce. “It”™s the number one issue our members talk about.”
Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, D-Forestburgh, thinks insurance companies are reaping excessive profits and charging excessive rates: “It”™s OK for insurance companies to make a profit, but we have to look at the kind of profits they are making.”
Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun, R-C-Blooming Grove, added, “Insurance companies seem to have a ”˜take it or leave it”™ attitude. Our hospitals are being reimbursed far less than those in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”
Gunther suggested fellow legislators resurrect the Mid-Hudson Caucus, saying it was the only way the Hudson Valley was going to see any reasonable financial aid from the state. “New York City has 8 million people ”“ we have 8 million people. Shouldn”™t we be getting the same level of attention and aid?”
“The lion”™s share of the money is going to New York City, whether it is for a new convention center or a new stadium,” agreed state Sen. Thomas Morahan, R-C-New City. “It is in our best interests to do something to promote ourselves. We did see some money from the Restore New York grants: $50 million last year, $150 million this year and $100 million in 2009, but most of that money went elsewhere. It went to upstate and New York City. I understand there is a lot of focus on the upstate economy. But we are working to get more for our area, especially when it comes to energy and tax relief.”
Property taxes also earned scrutiny. Calhoun said they are “driving the middle class out of New York, so I”™m glad Gov. Spitzer is finally recognizing the need for a property tax cap.”
Bonacic took it one step further: “We spend double what any other state spends on education, yet those who spend less outrank us in testing scores. We can”™t keep throwing money at the problem. It”™s time for the state to take over the school tax property burden. The national average is $3,000 a year; in New York, it is $6,000. What”™s wrong with this picture?”  Â
State Sen. William Larkin, R-C-Cornwall on Hudson, sidelined by illness, furnished his remarks in writing. “The Governor is calling for a new commission to study property taxes. The Senate is pushing for action to help taxpayers now, proposing short- and long-term relief on school property taxes. The governor and Assembly should be supporting our plan now, not putting off the issue until yet another study is done.” Under the Senate”™s plan, said Larkin, proposed property tax relief would double the size of STAR rebate checks for most homeowners this year, tripling it in 2009 and quadrupling it for seniors, giving most families an annual property rebate check of up to $1,000 or more this year.
Larkin said the Senate”™s proposed NY-STOP plan could result in the elimination of residential school property taxes in districts that vote to phase out property tax relief over five years, with revenue replaced by state funding.
Assemblywoman Annie Rabbit, R-I-C-Greenwood Lake, said in order for the mid-Hudson to remain strong during troubled economic times, local communities need to support each other. “Buy local, stay local ”“ it worked for Warwick. During the past holiday season, we really promoted shopping locally and encouraging residents to eat at local restaurants, to patronize local business. As a result, the town and village saw a 20 per cent increase in revenue over last year.”
Not everyone walked away feeling satisfied. David Lambert, executive officer for the Medical Society of the County of Orange, based in Newburgh, said, “We asked specific questions, and we got generic answers. Nobody really answered any questions.” The Medical Society represents 400 physicians in Orange County and 125 in Ulster County.
The budget is supposed to be finalized and signed by April 1.