If you aren”™t completely appalled, then you haven”™t been paying attention.
So says a statement on a bumper sticker that you still might spot tattered on the back of a car.
If we may rewrite that anonymous saying: We are completely appalled at the state Legislature”™s lack of attention.
The continuous utter disregard for business owners and other taxpayers in this state is beyond appalling. The Hudson Valley, as well as New York state, is no longer on the shortlist for companies or developers interested in relocating.
Business leaders and business owners who have gone up to Albany over the last few weeks to meet with their representatives all report the same thing: There is a huge disconnect between office holders and the people they are sworn to represent.
And that disconnect can be as basic as greeting business representatives in gym attire to looking on blankly as an owner relates the problems encountered in trying to keep a business afloat ”“ from the MTA payroll tax to paying more for health insurance. And this business owner is playing within the rules ”“ no undocumented workers or sleight of hand on the company ledger.
Listening to the stories of those who went to Albany is eye-opening.
There appears to be a total lack of empathy from Albany lawmakers.
In fact, it”™s the opposite.
One legislator yelled that he had reduced his staff ”“ hey, what more do you want?
Reducing political staff is more show than actually trying to come to grips with the $9 billion deficit.
We”™re told another lawmaker arrogantly said the visitors should show some respect for his office.
Show respect? Yes, show it to the people who elected you to office.
Has the Capitol building become a place of worship filled with demigods?
We certainly hope not. If the tales related by recent visitors is any indication, those lawmakers need to cease and desist in their actions.
Partisan politics can no longer exist.
Arrogance and adversarial conduct need to be put to rest.
Lawmakers must vote with their conscience.
Some state lawmakers of the Hudson Valley delegation need to reacquaint themselves with their oaths of office and responsibilities.
If the growing chasm between taxpayer and Albany cannot be narrowed, it needs at the very least to be bridged.
The state budget will again be completed by three men in a room.
There will be no bipartisanship breaking out anytime soon.
No room for discussion or input from the voters.
Lobbyists along with school unions are still trying to rule the day by asking for more money despite the state”™s roll toward the precipice of insolvency.
Cannot enough members of the majority party just say “no” to these deep-pocketed interests? So what if they get mad.
We don”™t need lawmakers to again rubber-stamp an unworkable budget along party lines.
Lawmakers for too long have been operating with impunity. The $9 billion deficit is glaring evidence of their misguided handiwork.
The people are angry ”“ and vocal. Lawmakers better pay attention. More groups are forming. Business people are coming together to collectively flex their muscle. Dismissing these voters and taxpayers as the lunatic fringe or Tea Party members could prove a career-ending move.
