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In Wake Of Tragedy, Gov. Pataki Delivers Positive Vision For New York
by Assemblyman Willis H. Stephens, Jr.
In the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, New York found itself engulfed in economic turmoil. While there is no question our state was dealt a severe economic blow, Gov. Pataki in his annual State of the State address outlined a comprehensive plan to guide New York on its road to recovery.
Luckily for New Yorkers, Gov. Pataki has experience helping New York survive and emerge resilient through tumultuous times. When the governor took office in 1995, New York had the highest taxes in the nation, crime was out of control, welfare rolls were skyrocketing and jobs, businesses and people were leaving New York to relocate elsewhere. To counter these problems, Gov. Pataki launched a bold effort to turn New York around and repair the devastation caused by the years of mismanagement under the former administration.
He cut taxes by $100 billion, created 770,000 jobs, reduced crime to its lowest level in more than a generation, diminished the welfare rolls by nearly one million people and, most importantly, restored fiscal integrity to state government, giving New York its best credit rating in 23 years.
Realizing that Sept. 11 drastically changed the needs and concerns of New Yorkers, Gov. Pataki shared his belief that our citizens will benefit from initiatives that follow through on previously passed tax cuts, stabilize our economy and strengthen our schools.
Some legislators have called for higher taxes, but as proven by tax hikes in the early 1990s, raising taxes can drive away businesses and jobs. I commend the governor on his fight to further economic growth by curbing taxes and encouraging businesses to create and retain jobs in our state.
Gov. Pataki’s economic revitalization plan includes:
- no delay in the implementation of job-creating tax cuts;
- formation of an Empire Opportunity Fund to support new development projects including brownfield industrial sites in older manufacturing communities;
- $100 million expansion of the Excelsior Linked Deposit Program, which provides low-cost loans to small businesses across New York; and,
- $250 million for high-tech economic development programs like the Centers of Excellence.
In his address, the governor stressed the importance of continuing New York’s commitment to improving our schools. by tailoring aid to fit schools, taking care of our best teachers and improving the value and meaning of a New York state diploma.
Included in the governor’s education plan are:
- a sweeping overhaul of the state’s school aid formula and enactment of Flex Aid;
- rewards for schools and teachers that show the most improvement in meeting New York’s high learning standards; and,
- Setting the foundation for a world-class diploma by ensuring that every child passes the standardized tests given in the fourth and eighth grades.
Many believed the terrorist tragedies left our state with a dark future, but those who doubted the Empire State’s resilience were surprised by the character of New Yorkers and the leadership of government. Though there is still a long road to recovery ahead, Gov. Pataki has put our state back on track by facing these difficult circumstances head on.
As we did in 1995, we can turn "crisis into comeback" again. I urge my colleagues in the state Legislature to continue their support of these initiatives, because unity and bold, decisive action are exactly what New York needs to overcome the tremendous emotional and economic challenges ahead.
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