http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/briankolb/ 129th Assembly District - State of New York en-us Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:22:32 GMT CakePHP http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/briankolb/comment-on-gov-david-paterson-s-budget-reduction-proposals/ Tuesday afternoon, I instructed my staff to provide to Governor Paterson and his staff a series of 'conversation starters' for reducing New York's projected $3 billion budget deficit. Today, the Governor submitted for the Legislature's consideration his proposals to reduce New York's deficit. I believe that further reductions in the areas of education and health care should only be considered as a last resort. Once fully implemented, the conversation starters I suggested - which included consolidating certain state agencies, empowering localities to decide which optional Medicaid services they provide, reducing Non-Personal Services spending and eliminating Legislative Earmarks - would achieve $3 billion in budgetary savings. I believe we should look to reducing the size and cost of state government before focusing on crucial public priorities. Now that the conversation has been started, all New Yorkers need to be a part of this important dialog. Thu, Oct 15th 2009, 11:45 GMT http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/briankolb/statement-on-wednesday-morning-s-leaders-meeting/ "I was encouraged that during our public Leaders' meeting this morning, Governor Paterson agreed to my suggestion that our legislative staffs and Lieutenant Governor Ravitch should meet and work together toward identifying real solutions to close the state's budget deficit. Our Conference's Members and staff have been working all summer long and are prepared to meet today to address this issue." Wed, Sep 23rd 2009, 09:39 GMT http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/briankolb/do-you-support-a-people-s-convention/ A research bulletin released earlier this week by the independent, non-partisan Empire Center for New York State Policy reported that the 2010-11 State Budget deficit has likely more than doubled and the forecasted fiscal shortfalls for 2012 and 2013 will swell even further, largely due to an unsustainable growth in state government spending. When you add this alarming revelation to the fact that New York already leads the nation in having some of the highest property taxes, energy, workers’ comp, transportation, legal and pension costs, the case for a much-needed course correction in our state is crystal clear. One of the best ways to affect the real reform and positive change needed in state government is though convening a “People’s Convention to Reform New York.” Since I first called for a People’s Convention a few weeks ago, support for this non-partisan, grassroots reform effort has continued to build. For this week’s legislative column, I would like to update you on the latest developments surrounding my call for a People’s Convention to Reform New York and provide answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding what you can do to make real reform and positive change a reality. First, I officially introduced non-partisan legislation – the “People’s Convention to Reform New York Act” – to ensure this reform effort becomes law and goes before voters in the 2010 elections, a full seven years before it would automatically happen. My legislation has already received the support of over 30 Assembly Members and is now co-sponsored by Democrat Assemblyman Mark Schroeder, who represents the 145th District, located in Western New York. Assemblyman Schroeder is a legislator unafraid to cross party lines in support of a good idea and understands that the cause of real reform and positive change cannot wait. I recently appeared on a Buffalo radio program with Assemblyman Schroeder where we advocated for passage of my non-partisan legislation and urged greater bi-partisan cooperation in the state Legislature to forge real solutions to the serious challenges facing New York State. Second, our on-line petition – located at www.reformny.org – has received a fantastic response from New Yorkers across all regions of the state. Keep in mind that we exceeded 1,000 backers in less than two weeks’ time! Such a strong showing of grassroots, non-partisan support demonstrates that a People’s Convention to Reform New York is an idea whose time has finally arrived and that many people are ready to demand reform. Third, I have contacted numerous organizations asking that they support a People’s Convention to Reform New York and my non-partisan legislation. Non-partisan, good-government groups and advocacy organizations that I have reached out to include: the Empire Center; Business Council of New York State; National Federation of Independent Business; Unshackle Upstate; Citizens For a Better New York; New Yorkers for Growth; Citizens Budget Commission; New York Public Interest Research Group; the League of Women Voters; Common Cause; New York State Association of Counties; Association of Towns of the State of New York and the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials. Additionally, I have sent letters to local elected officials, of all political parties, recognized academic scholars and state constitutional law experts, as well as regional grassroots taxpayer groups to enlist them in this important reform effort. The following are some ideas for how you can aid the cause of a People’s Convention to Reform New York and, in the process, achieve fiscal and governmental reforms, including a state spending and property tax cap; debt reform; banning backdoor borrowing; requiring term limits for legislative leaders; non-partisan redistricting and a succession plan for state government. WRITE YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS: Sending letters, faxes and e-mails to elected officials – at all levels of government – builds awareness and non-partisan support for a People’s Convention. When writing your local officials, ask them to enact a resolution in support of the People’s Convention to Reform New York Act; SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor are a highly effective way to share your views and publicly make the case for a People’s Convention. The best part is, this service is 100 percent free and most daily and weekly newspapers welcome such letters; CALL TALK RADIO: National, regional and local talk radio programs are a terrific way to ensure the voice of the people – your voice – is heard loud and clear in the corridors of power; SIGN MY ON-LINE PETITION: If you have not yet done so, go to www.reformny.org and add your name to the growing list of New Yorkers who want a more accountable and responsive state government. While you are there, check out our “FAQ” section for more information on the People’s Convention to Reform New York; and STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT FOR REFORM: In our democracy, the people have the power – when you stand up and speak out for what you believe, elected officials listen. If you want a People’s Convention, spread the word at diners, coffee shops, barbershops, neighborhood association meetings, on-line forums, and anywhere people regularly share opinions. Every day, more New Yorkers who want to change the status quo and reverse New York’s drift are joining the grassroots movement to reform state government. Will you be one of them? Sat, Sep 12th 2009, 09:06 GMT http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/briankolb/bi-partisan-grassroots-support/ In the opening of my legislative column last week, I asked readers if they believed it was time to change state government. I also asked whether they felt state government had stopped working for them. Based on the latest independent survey research and, more importantly, the direct feedback I have been receiving from citizens across our community, the answer to both questions is a resounding “yes,” meaning a People’s Convention to Reform New York is another step closer to becoming reality. When the Siena College Research Institute surveyed voters on this topic, it found 63 percent of them in favor of a People’s Convention to Reform New York, which is a clear and compelling mandate for change. However, don’t merely take my word for it. Siena New York pollster Steven Greenberg said that support for a People’s Convention to Reform New York included “a majority of voters from every party, every region, every religion, every race, and every age group.” You can review the Siena Poll results at http://sienaresearchinstitute.pbworks.com. This latest research arrives on the heels of a Quinnipiac University Poll I highlighted last week showing 64 percent of voters in favor of the People’s Convention to Reform New York. Clearly, as these two separate polls have shown, the voters of New York desire change in how State government operates and, most importantly, how it serves their needs. I could not agree more – and judging by these poll results, I am not alone! Greenberg also described how support for a People’s Convention to Reform New York was especially powerful at the most important level in our democracy: the grassroots. Toward this end, Greenberg said the following: “While the issue of a convention is not popular with many elected officials, it is with their constituents.” Greenberg’s statement underscores an urgent need for voters wanting change to get involved and raise their voices in support of a People’s Convention to Reform New York. If the people speak, their elected representatives will listen. This past Wednesday I launched an on-line petition – www.reformny.org – where people could support the growing, bi-partisan effort to bring real reform to state government. Since the petition’s launch, several hundred people from across New York have added their name to the cause of reform. After you finish reading this piece, if you haven’t done so already, please visit www.reformny.org and support a People’s Convention to Reform New York. Invite your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and anyone else you know who wants real change in state government to sign the petition. Besides raising awareness of our on-line petition, one point I will continually stress throughout this grassroots effort is that a People’s Convention to Reform New York cannot be a vehicle for elected officials – of any political party – special interests, or anyone else with a stake in maintaining Albany’s broken status quo. Accordingly, the typical political insiders and party officials need not apply. I believe that a People’s Convention to Reform New York has to be about the people and their needs. As such, I will continue calling on the media and good government groups to urge elected officials and special interest agents to abstain from running as delegates or serving in the convention and publicly expose any who try to do otherwise. This effort must be about reform and fixing state government. Partisan politics and special interests have been part of the problem – they will not be part of the solution. I have been pleased to see prominent Democrats publicly endorse a People’s Convention to Reform New York, chief among them former Democratic Governor Mario Cuomo who championed a similar effort back in 1997. Likewise, Democrat Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, who has been, and continues to be, supportive of a People’s Convention to Reform New York. Much like former Governor Cuomo, in 1997 Assemblyman Brodsky editorialized in favor of the reform push. It is my hope that other Democrats will follow their courageous lead and publicly endorse this growing reform effort. This effort also has Republican support, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and U.S. Congressman Rick Lazio. Building support – from the grassroots up – among voters of all political affiliations, ideologies and geographic regions of New York State is essential. This week I began circulating my legislation for establishing a People’s Convention to Reform New York to all my Assembly colleagues. I will also be calling upon the State Senate to introduce companion legislation in support of my bill. Each week I will update you on the progress of the initiative’s sponsorship from legislators, as well as organizations that are committed to advancing the cause of real solutions and reforming our state government. Without question, the “spark” of reform has been lit and with continued bi-partisan, grassroots support it will ignite the spirit of countless New Yorkers who are ready, willing and able to take their government back through a People’s Convention to Reform New York. Mon, Aug 31st 2009, 08:43 GMT http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/briankolb/petition-people-s-convention-to-reform-ny/ Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua) today launched an on-line grassroots petition to continue building statewide, bi-partisan support for a "People's Convention to Reform New York." Kolb's petition for a People's Convention to Reform New York is available on-line at www.reformny.org."As noted in two separate polls, a majority of voters are strongly in favor of holding a People's Convention to Reform New York - my on-line petition seeks to keep this momentum going," Kolb said, referring to recent Quinnipiac University Polling Institute and Siena College Research Institute surveys showing 64 and 63 percent of voters supporting the reform effort. The Quinnipiac University Poll is accessible here. The Siena College Research Institute Poll is available here. "The sheer enormity of the fiscal and governmental challenges facing our state require bold action - a People's Convention to Reform New York would deliver much-needed change to a dysfunctional system where special interests and political insiders collude to block any efforts to increase accountability and transparency in our State Legislature," Kolb stated. Kolb has publicly called on elected officials and registered lobbyists to not run as delegates, or serve in the People's Convention to Reform New York. "The People's Convention to Reform New York cannot be driven by the political insiders and special interests that helped create the problems facing our state. This effort must be undertaken by New Yorkers who are fed up with Albany's status quo, ready to make change and prepared to take their government back by supporting real solutions like a People's Convention to Reform New York. It begins by signing my on-line petition," Kolb concluded. Kolb said that the People's Convention to Reform New York would consider reforms including a state spending and a real property tax cap; debt reform and banning backdoor borrowing; requiring a 2/3 "Super Majority" for tax increases; allowing for recall of state elected officials; enacting initiative and referendum; requiring term limits for Legislative Leaders; enacting non-partisan redistricting reform and establishing a procedure to fill vacancies in statewide offices and New York's U.S. Senate Seats. Wed, Aug 26th 2009, 08:31 GMT