By Sen. James L. Seward
A great many strides have been made in New York in recent years but true challenges lie ahead.
Like an artist, we start with the outline, which we have sketched out over the last few years.
While the outline is pretty good—four consecutive on-time state budgets, an end to runaway state spending, the lowest middle class taxes in sixty years, and a concentration on economic development—these are just the broad brushstrokes.
Now is the time to add some details, and turn New York into a true masterpiece.
With those thoughts in mind, here are my top legislative priorities for 2015.
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Tax Relief
New York is now fourth in population falling behind Florida, Texas and California. People are fleeing our state because they simply cannot afford to stay.
We need to cut taxes.
While we have reduced property taxes and also approved several new business tax cuts, we need to do more to help every taxpayer.
One item I will be targeting is the high price we pay at the gas pump which is inflated further by state taxes.
New York is tops in the lower forty-eight states when it comes to gasoline costs, thanks in large part to the 45-cents-per-gallon we pay in various state gas taxes.
In the coming weeks, I will be announcing a special “Cut the Gas Tax” petition drive on my website, www.senatorjimseward.com, and will use the support to help spearhead a push to reduce our state’s gasoline tax.
We also need to make the property tax cap permanent, and while doing so, institute true mandate relief measures to free up local dollars for municipalities and schools.
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Economic Development
& Job Creation
Along with cutting taxes, we need to ensure that there are true career opportunities here in New York.
Directing more state economic development funding to small businesses, eliminating unnecessary and costly government regulations, and helping revitalize our downtown “Main Street” areas through improved housing and shopping opportunities are a few strategies.
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Infrastructure Improvements
One of the keys to attracting new employers to New York is to make sure our infrastructure is ready to accommodate growth.
Roads, bridges, sewer, and water are the traditional items that come to mind when infrastructure improvements are discussed.
Along with these necessary components, we also need to improve broadband access in our rural areas.
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Education
Ensuring our area schools receive their fair share of state aid, while ending the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) which has cost schools millions of dollars are top concerns.
I will also continue to advocate for innovative programs that help give our students the opportunity to succeed.
Linking our schools with employers, using technology to connect our high schools to area colleges, and other non-traditional initiatives are working for many schools in my district and I want to further grow these programs.
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Safeguarding Our Police
The tragic murder of two New York City Police officers underscores the need to reassess our state’s policies in regard to police safety.
The senate will be conducting hearings to examine police safety and public protection to provide thorough and balanced review of our criminal justice system.
We need to take steps to ensure that police officers, who put their lives on the line day in and day out, return home safely at the end of their shifts.
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Repeal the (UN)SAFE-ACT
Two years has passed since the enactment of the governor’s NY-SAFE Act, yet there is no tangible evidence that the law has increased safety.
I voted against the NY-SAFE Act and repealing this flawed policy remains a priority.
While law-abiding gun owners have had to deal with new restrictions and costly requirements it has done precious little to make us safer from gun violence.
I am co-sponsor of legislation which would repeal the law entirely, and will also be introducing my own bills which will chip away at several of the law’s worst provisions.