No matter who ends up running for Governor, New York State is in a heap of trouble.
Property and school taxes are out of control and business is fleeing our state at a rate we've never seen before. So what is Albany doing to change that?
First, our elected representatives have to want to change that in order to see anything different. Only a select few have shown such leadership but are drowned out by the political machines that put them in office. The change in leadership in the State Senate did little to change course because the fragile majority drove us to the bread line while they dealt with the party defectors last summer. The delays in Albany as a result, cost taxpayers millions in additional expenditures due to delayed finance disbursement to schools and municipalities.
The healthcare & insurance reform debate that has consumed all the attention in Washington, fails to address how we fund our schools, hospitals and local municipalities. The needs of New Yorkers goes unaddressed. Our leaders in Albany must get spending and waste under control.
New York, known for it's nanny state reputation has seen a tremendous increase in social services and finds the ability to pay for this reality is at the breaking point. Known for it's lax restrictions, people from across the country travel to New York State to take advantage of this system. Second in taxes only to California, we are first in offering welfare. We've got to both: offer a more aggressive way out of the system while making it less attractive to those who seek to abuse it.
Other than the states along our southern border, New York is also a heaven for undocumented residents. Our Schools, hospitals and local housing authorities are strained to the brink and continues to be a hot button issue as the Tax burden is placed on the few New Yorkers who still own property.
School funding is usually the focus for those who see education as an issue. For those of us paying attention, the way we teach our children with the tools we have today should be more the focus. Reward teachers who have great success in educating their students and re-evaluate the worth of those who don't. Restructuring the tenure system to allow the dismissal of teachers who aren't doing their job. To some; Charter schools are an alternative, but how would the struggling middle class afford this alternative if they're underemployed?
Change the way we fund our schools. The New York Assembly has offered to restructure the school funding system for decades, only to have it stall in committee when it gets to the State Senate. We have to address this issue as well.
Law enforcement and reintroducing those who served their time, is a touchy subject. Our revised drug laws are diverting many of our “guilty” from jail time to the world of probation. Those offices and positions need to increase and be better funded. Thus opening space in our jails for serious criminals. The need for additional corrections officers is evident as well as the safety issues have increased over the years. These issues have to come back to the conversation in Albany.
Airport, Train and bus station safety as well as our bridges and infrastructure need attention. New York State is crumbling under our feet at a time when we depend on our system more than before. Only 26% of the federal stimulus money has been released to the states since its inception leaving many communities scrambling to bandage what they maintain in hopes of seeing some of that money. This leaves New York and neighboring states in a precarious safety situation and deters corporate investment in many of our communities.
Job creation. Two very strong words in these unemployed times. Considering the rate that American companies are sending their customer service and manufacturing jobs to China, Indonesia and India; It's difficult to imagine that our government at the Federal or state level can do much to stimulate job growth. However, that doesn't mean we must continue Albany's status quo on the subject. New York must compete with other states to acquire or maintain companies that are willing to work in the U.S. I can only attempt to do better than my opponent has in helping my colleagues achieve that goal.
Investment in mass transit has got to be in our near future. Our commuter rail system is continually subsidized by the taxpayer and the network of bus services leaves many people disappointed. Albany had better get to some conclusion as to what we can afford for rail service on the west side of the Hudson. The delay has been long enough and communities along the river need to know if we will ever see this issue addressed in our lifetime.
Tourism has suffered because of this stressed economy. It is the life blood of many towns and resorts in the Catskills. Both Orange and Ulster Counties need to retool their approach to tourism spending to attract more sales tax dollars to the region. We have a countless number of attractions that could take advantage of the “staycationers” and New York City weekenders now that money is tight. I think our leadership in Albany could help in this area as well.
As you can see, I have stayed away from the negative history of what has happened in Albany during the last decade. I plan on being a new face, eager to do the peoples work for the citizens in the 39th district. You deserve no less. What I have touched on in this introduction is just a fraction of what I think can and will be changed in Albany. I will post short pieces on these and several other issues in my “issues” section of the website as the campaign continues.
I cant do this alone. I need financial donations, a willing workforce, open communication with the electorate and of course, your vote in November. Feel free to contact me and offer your suggestions and/or help. You have asked for a voice that speaks for you in Albany. Allow me to be that voice you've been denied for so long.
Lawrence Delarose
DELAROSE VOWS TO CHANGE LAW TO BLOCK ORANGE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY
(Washingtonville) – 4/07/10
Larry Delarose, Democrat candidate for state senate in the 39th district, said today that if elected in November he would introduce legislation to close loopholes in current state law that allows authorities to circumvent home rule. Specifically, Delarose was talking about the Orange County Water Authority which has recently come under fire from communities in the southeastern corner of Orange County.
“I stand with all communities in this county who fear that the Orange County Water Authority under existing law has the power to tax people for water and sewer services whether they use them or not. This is wrong and it must be changed. Home rule is just that”, Delarose noted, “it’s home rule period.”
Delarose said the only way to guarantee to protect local communities and taxpayers is to change the law. “That will be one of my first priorities after I take office,”he added.
Delarose is seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Bill Larkin.