Assemblyman Tony Jordan, from the 112th Assembly District, is Huletts representative in the NY State Assembly. He sat down with the Huletts Current this past week for a wide ranging interview.
Today I post part two of my interview with Assemblyman Tony Jordan.
Could you give us an update on the NY state budget crisis. It seems year in and year out, tax increases far exceed inflation. What are you doing specifically to halt this trend?
I ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and reduced State spending. I have been working hard in my first term to do everything in my power to bring these ideals to Albany. Earlier this month, I, along with Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, sent a letter to Governor Patterson asking him to eliminate member items, commonly called pork, from the State budget this year. I think the member item system is a perfect example of Albany’s addiction to spending. While many of the projects that are funded through member items are legitimate and worthwhile, there is the potential for misuse and abuse of this system for legislators to distribute member item money in return for votes or support in a particular community. If the projects being funded are truly worthwhile, it is my assertion that they should be funded through the official budget process thus making the awarding of funds transparent and open to public scrutiny.
In addition to member items, I, along with several of my Republican Assembly colleagues have signed a tax-free budget pledge for the 2010 executive budget. The pledge commits legislators to spending restraint and increased transparency, as well as a promise to vote against any proposed tax increase contained in this year’s budget. We as the elected leadership of this state cannot bemoan the economic hardship facing our citizens and our government and then turn around and burden them with increased taxes and fees. This includes the infamous unfunded mandate. Albany needs to realize that passing the spending burden on to local municipalities crushes our citizens and our businesses. There is a reason that New York is consistently ranked as one of the most unfriendly states in the union for businesses. If we want to grow the New York economy and provide our residents with stable, productive, and quality jobs, we have to reduce the tax burden and make this a state where businesses want to do business.
The Pension Reform Bill passed during the extraordinary session of 2009 is another important step for moving the State to a more fiscally viable position, but it does not go far enough. That is why I have joined with my colleagues sponsoring legislation that provides for a radical change to the retirement system. This bill will take all elected officials in the state, from Governor to Town Councilman, and all political appointees, and take us of the “Defined Benefits” retirement program; replacing it with a “Defined Contribution” plan.
There is still a lot of work that needs to be done. The outline of Governor Patterson’s Executive Budget makes some good first steps, but we need to go further. We need to be aggressive in our search for areas that can be consolidated and run more efficiently. The State, and its citizens, also have to make hard choices about which services we need the State to provide. I would stress the word need. New York has grown accustomed to large government and the myriad of services it provides. I believe there are some things that either the private sector can do, or that people and communities can do more efficiently than the State. A critical examination of the services provided by the State, and what the citizens and taxpayers of this State can actually afford is a critical component of any plan to steer New York out of the trouble waters caused by decades of overspending and bowing to special interests and unions.
With the 2010 elections fast approaching, do you have any predictions about the year ahead?
I think that 2010 is going to be an eye-opener for many elected leaders across the State. The unprecedented financial situation we find ourselves in did not materialize out of the blue as some have suggested. This is a storm that has been looming on the horizon for decades. The day of reckoning has been pushed further back over the years through increased taxes, fees, and borrowing. We have reached the point where the well is dry. We cannot afford to tax our citizens or businesses anymore, and we cannot afford to borrow more money to support our addiction to spending.
It is my hope that the people are going to vote this fall for representatives at the State level that will champion the tenants of fiscal responsibility. Without a change in the culture of Albany, it will be much harder for those of us who are striving daily to bring reason and fiscal prudence to the halls of the capital. I was recently ranked as the most conservative member of the Assembly based on my voting record this past year. This ranking was based on my votes against the budget bills of 2009 which dramatically increased State spending despite an historic deficit, and my consistent stance on fiscal and personal responsibility. I think my record, as indicated by this honor, will prove to the people of the 112th Assembly District that I am working hard to reduce the crushing middle-class tax burden and spur economic growth in the State and the District. I hope that we will see more people who share my views and goals for the State elected to the legislature in November.
Finally, residents of Huletts Landing are concerned about the decline of Whitehall. Lots of stores and businesses have closed, enrollment is plummeting at the school, taxes are continuing to go up and the population is stagnating. Could you tell us some of the positive things, that you hope for in Whitehall?
For the past 6 years I have had the honor of representing the Village of Whitehall as their Attorney. This has allowed me the opportunity to get to know the people of Whitehall and the community. The Village of Whitehall has a tremendous amount of upside. Its location on the canal should provide the catalyst necessary for economic opportunity in the future.
Given its physical location, however, it has struggled with attracting and keeping businesses with competition from both Rutland and Glens Falls. The leaders of Whitehall are working diligently to upgrade and improve the infrastructure of the Village with little impact on the taxpayers as possible. I will continue to work with the Village and State seeking efficiencies and consolidation where appropriate. It is my hope that between the Canal Corporations commitment to the community, the location on the waterway and the proximity to the lakes that Whitehall is able to enjoy the success it is capable of achieving.
Thank you Assemblyman Jordan for speaking to the Huletts Current. Please stop by sometime during the summer when the “Landing” is in full swing.