After attending morning sessions at NYCOM, I ventured over to the Legislative Office Building for meetings with Senator Patty Ritchie and Assemblywoman Addie Russell.
Both our lawmakers were very interested to talk local issues as they relate to the state. From Mercy to prisons to sales tax to WIGS and many more topics.
I was pleased at the interest both take in the City of Watertown and appreciate their time.
I ran into, of all people, Ron McDougall working the LOB on behalf of Interstate 98...He and a friend were handing out lapel pins with the Interstate logo on them.
I met a couple of the rebel Democrat senators, Klein and Valesky. I stop by Assemblyman Blankenbush' office. He was out, but I see him all the time at Petes anyway.
I was able to call into the HOTLINE for a couple minutes before returning to the Crown to post this.
6 comments:
Mayor Did Mayor Nelson meet with Ritchie and Russell? It seems appropriate that Sciora, Vaugh and Nelson would have met with each of them. I,m sure Russell was completely taken by Nick Vaugh and his wisdom and his Twitter cmapaign. It should have been labled quitter campaign..
I spoke with Joe Brosk today on the Hot Line, about how Jefferson County again will ask the State of NY to approve its extra three-quarters percent sales tax. Local Representatives are being too casual about accepting this tax renewal, when it could be discontinued and seen as tax relief and a likely stimulus to increased sales for local merchants. Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, Rep.-Heuvelton, has her doubts about sponsoring the legislation on the Senate side and she should resist going along with this extension. Sen. Ritchie is right to see this as a chance to keep money in the hands of locals and also increase sales volume at stores of area merchants. This extension is a failure to cut taxes and there’s no way to double talk around that simple truth. Joe and I agreed on this point, ‘Don’t extend the Sales Tax Rate at 3.75%’ cut it back a ¼ percent. We need to cut taxes when we can, not tolerate their extension like it a matter of small concern.
Mike Flynn Middle-Class Mike
It would be nice to reduce the sales tax. If that was done, then governments would have to do something else besides spend it. Grays comment about how the towns need it, is bogus. The towns just use it to make it look like they raise no taxes, but simply push the taxes over to the county, so no real savings is done. Why give the county more money to spend? Why not make then tighten up. Or is that just too impossible? No one has said what county employees pay for health benefits?
I will be taking a trek to Albany next week. I am hoping to meet with Senator Ritchie and Assemblywoman Russell. It is a tough time to meet with representatives with the budget process in high gear, but this is the time to drive your points home...before the budget passes.
Mayor did you speak with Klein and Valesky? I would think they are finding a home with the republicans.
Ritchie looks good, doesn't she?
Did you tell her to mind her own business and let our county set its sales tax rate as we see fit? It is basic conservatism to allow local governments to govern themselves. If she turns out to be a RINO too then we will send her packing like we did to the last dame.
Look at what Ononadaga County did with an ELECTED County Administrator, they pre-empted the tax so they could effectively force consolidation The sales taxes the county of Jefferson collects also makes it easier for the county to keep spending at the same or higher, taxes can be cut, but spending never is.
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