As most of you are already aware, Gov. David Paterson pronounced his State of the State address from Albany yesterday. One message that came through loud and clear throughout the address and especially at its conclusion was that of sacrifice.
Rochester's Democrat & Chronicle picked up this quote: "We will sacrifice what we want today in order to achieve what we need tomorrow," he told a joint session of the state Legislature. "We will make sacrifices, but they must be shared sacrifices."
Yesterday evening, Democrats from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties issued a joint statement, summing up their thoughts and reflections following the address.
As we enter an era of uncertainty, Governor Paterson calls on all of us to work for the survival of our State with hope, courage and bi-partisan action. Speaking of "one state one future," the Governor recognized the need to revitalize every part of New York, including our region, by focusing on the need to strengthen our health care system, combat childhood obesity, make college affordable for all, improve local government efficiency, rebuild infrastructure, develop 21st century energy efficiency, create bio-tech jobs, increase tourism, and form a consortium on hybrid electric battery manufacturing. This speech was a call to the legislature and, ultimately, the people across the State, to recognize that these are very tough times, our problems need to be solved together, and every New Yorker needs to tighten his or her belt, confident in the hope of a better tomorrow.
We hope to hear more of your reactions to the State of the State throughout the day today.
I would really like to know
I would really like to know what it is that the Governor and all of our Assembly members and State Senators are going to sacrifice. Is anyone cutting staff or administrative costs? Anyone discussing a salary cut or imposing expense limits? Hey, it's only temporary. It really upsets me when politicians start talking about "sacrifice", but don't themselves. Accolades to the Orleans County legislators who cut their salaries. Granted it wasn't a whole bunch of money, but that's what sacrifice means. They should send a letter to Gov. Patterson explaining that so he understands. Write big, he doesn't read so well.
the orleans county
the orleans county legislators cut was a joke! they where ask by the people to cut the in county travel expensives, witch means they pay them self to go to work i like to know how many people get paid to go to work, they also get full medicle insurance at zero cost for a part time job they only did this because its a election year
they charge the county mileage to come to meetings and when they have a am meeting and a pm meeting they dont leave but charge double mileage
It certainly would be a
It certainly would be a show of solidarity with local voters if our State senator and assemblymen were to introduce a bill to cut the generous salaries they receive for what are essentially part-time jobs. Most, if not all of them, do very well in private practice and could make this more than symbolic gesture with little personal sacrifice. And extending the cuts to their franking privileges and staff salaries would demonstrate that even further. If any of them have objections to the Governor's proposals regarding health care coverage and the like, they should be eager to push the issue of personal sacrifice with such a pain-free example of unselfishness.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=139&sh=con
http://www.mikeranzenhoferforsenate.com/contact/