As your Senator I will work to help change Albany and build a government that works for all of Long Island.  I am committed to restoring the faith in New York, helping shape a NEW New York with a NEW agenda built through demonstrated leadership and integrity.  The road to the right reform seems long but you have the choice to keep us moving toward the right change.  

BUDGET REFORM

Now more than ever Long Islanders need to support a government reform agenda with responsible state budget practices. We can work towards getting our fiscal house back in order by pushing the senate to adopt Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) used to prepare and manage the state budget immediately in the 2011-12 fiscal year including GAAP requirements for bonds issued in 2014-15 and thereafter; adopt the use of a rolling five year financial plan to better monitor the consequences of current tax and spending decisions on long-term finances, and as a planning tool; enact laws establishing the requirement for a GAAP balanced budget and setting comprehensive limits on the amount of state-supported debt that can be issued based on affordability, create an Independent Budget Office, overseen by a board of politically independent persons, that will report on the state’s financial health and comment on budgetary matters; use of performance budgeting and outcome measurement to determine whether programs are meeting stated goals and promote a more rational appropriation of state funds. 

ETHICS AND GOVERNMENT REFORM

We do not need to settle for corrupt leadership.  I will continue to fight for reform just as I have done in the past.  I will push for reform in Albany on several levels including calling for a complete overhaul of the Campaign Finance System to place reasonable limits on campaign contributions, discouraging self-dealing and special interest groups.  I proudly signed pledges with NY Uprising to support major reforms in Albany and I have been recognized as a “Hero of Reform” for supporting these major initiatives.  By signing the pledge I acknowledge and agree that state legislators who earn income outside of government need to tell the public who is paying them, and for what.  I also believe that there needs to be full disclosure by legislators on how much money they make outside of government, rather than what they now provide to the public.  I am committed to creating a government that is as good as the people that it serves.

STIMULATING SMALL BUSINESS

Small business is the cornerstone of many of our communities and is the ignition to jump start economic growth. Therefore, we must take every opportunity to help small businesses survive and encourage women and minority business growth.   In response to small businesses needing help, my legislation will provide businesses with a tax credit totaling the amount of fees paid to receive a SBA guaranty loan which will give them a little bit of a break.  New York State should offer its small businesses the same tax credit for any fees paid to the SBA in order to obtain a loan.  In addition I supported key legislation that improves the equity in the State procurement process and facilitates greater access for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) – a strategy aimed at inclusion and meaningful participation of MWBEs across the state.  We must put small business back in business.

PROTECTING AND CREATING JOBS

Turning around the economy calls for the improvement of employment opportunities and I have taken steps to do just that.  Over the last two years I have supported programs and initiatives, including the Power for Jobs program and the Green Jobs program to help create over 400,000 jobs in New York State.  As your Senator, I will continue to develop ways to create jobs, incentivize growth and clear roadblocks for our small businesses in order to strengthen and grow our economy.

TAX RELIEF

Taxes have been an issue here on Long Island.  The cost of living continues to increase but the ability to earn has not.  From 1985 – 2008, property taxes in Suffolk County have risen by 550%. I will continue to fight to reverse the poor decisions of the past and to make sure we get our fair share from Albany.  Since taking office in 2009, I have supported over $7 billion in property tax relief through the STAR program, passed circuit breaker legislation in the Senate to provide real property tax relief based on income and passed a property tax cap to help keep taxes down and keep families on Long Island.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Families relocated to Long Island because of the quality of education provided here.  In the last two decades, our share of education funding from the State has dwindled from 17% to 12%.  I worked hard in just two years to reverse the downward trend I inherited because I know we cannot afford any more cuts.  I supported over $3 billion in education funding for Suffolk County.  In an effort to lower taxes and keep the level of education where we expect it to be I passed legislation in the Senate to give back over $480 million to taxpayers from school district reserve accounts.  I am also the proud sponsor of the "School Property Tax Reform Act", which will change the way education is financed and give Long Island its fair share of funding.  I will continue to fight for the quality education our children deserve, at a cost we all can afford.

OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

We all deserve a great neighborhood to raise our children with safe streets and parks to play in.  I worked to help keep our state parks open for all to enjoy.   In an effort to take back our neighborhoods from gang violence and drug activity I worked on anti-gang legislation that equips law enforcement and prosecutors with the tools necessary to protect at-risk communities including gang suppression, assessment intervention and prevention programs.  I worked with Craig Johnson on the Overdose Bill which gives prosecutors the ability to charge drug dealers with manslaughter in the event that the sale of a controlled substance causes death of the user or other persons.  In addition, I have worked with parents, educators, and advocates to craft Denise’s Law which will take on the drug addiction epidemic and help put individuals dealing with drug addiction on a path towards recovery.   Named after Denise Gerardi who died from an accidental overdose this law will help parents keep minors in detox treatment and require healthcare coverage for detox treatment.  I will continue to work to make your neighborhood a place that you are happy to call home.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

Since entering public office protecting our environment has been one of my priorities.  In my first term in the Senate, I helped secure over $300 million for open space acquisition, passed into law measures that ban schools from using harmful pesticides where our children play and introduced the first State-wide Energy Star building standards in the country.  Keeping Long Island green and going green will continue to be a primary focus of mine.

SENIOR SUPPORT

Our senior population is one of our most vulnerable, and we need to make certain that they can afford to support themselves.  Therefore, I have introduced legislation to create age-integrated communities; create a universal design building standard to help seniors stay in their homes; put forth a grant program for seniors to help them make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes to help lower their costs and a bill to freeze school taxes for those seniors over 70 who are eligible for the enhanced STAR program.  I have also been at the forefront of the fight to restore the Senior STAR rebate check.

VETERAN SUPPORT

Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice deserve our utmost respect.  Making sure our veterans are supported has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my job. I was proud to have signed into law a bill that helps returning soldiers keep their homes in the event of a foreclosure. I have also worked closely with our Div. of Naval and Veterans Affairs on creating a veteran friendly campus program to help those veterans wishing to continue their education to do so. I have also been able to secure over $500,000 for various veterans organizations to help them address their members needs.  Thank you to all of our brave men and women for your service.

QUALITY OF LIFE

With the economic down-turn our communities have suffered hardships.  I have worked with community groups and funded a foreclosure clinic at Touro College to help families get the information and support they need to stay in their homes.  I have worked on legislation to crack down on slumlords and overcrowding of houses and passed into law a bill that forces banks to maintain properties they take over.   I know how important our quality of life is to us, and I will continue to look for ways to help improve it.