Assembly Minority Leader Charles H. Nesbitt and the members of the Assembly Minority Conference today announced a new action plan designed to reinvigorate the state's economy, reform state government, protect New Yorkers, improve our education system and enrich the quality of life of our citizens.

Excelsior 2005 is the list of legislative priorities for the Assembly Minority Conference in the coming year. The plan is the Minority Conference's most comprehensive agenda to date, building on last year's Roadmap to Renewal and 2003's NY First plans.

"In Excelsior 2005 we have a vision for the future of New York State and a comprehensive approach to achieve it. Assembly Minority members are returning to Albany as agents of change, with a bold, clear path that will help all New Yorkers. Our first order of business will be to reform the way state government conducts business," said Leader Nesbitt (R,C,I - Albion). "Beyond that, our comprehensive package of proposals will help to keep our citizens safer at home and in the communities we share, provide quality educational opportunities for all of our children, make clear that the Empire State is, once again, "open for business," and ensure that every New Yorker who wants a job has one."

Excelsior, Latin for "ever upward," was adopted as the state's motto in 1778. Excelsior 2005 is a comprehensive package that combines new ideas and improves and expands existing programs to make New York State a better place to live, work and do business. The plan contains five areas of focus and addresses the most important needs of New Yorkers:

Less intrusive, more efficient government - proposals in this section aim to make state government more open, responsive and efficient, end 20 years of late state budgets, reduce the costs of government regulation, shrink state debt, relieve taxes, encourage inter-municipal cooperation and lay a foundation for redistricting reform. Assembly Minority members also propose comprehensive mandate relief, including a gradual state takeover of all local Medicaid costs. Also included are initiatives to make state public authorities operate more efficiently, and those that encourage participation in the election process and increase ethics and government credibility.

Assemblyman Jim Hayes (R-Amherst) said, "The business of state government reform is everyone's business and must be a priority of the 2005 session. As a legislative body, the Assembly cannot properly address the issues of the economy, education and crime until we have our own house in order. The reforms Assembly Minority members have outlined in Excelsior 2005 will make our state government more open and accountable while restoring public confidence in our ability to get the job done."

Opportunities for work and prosperity - includes numerous proposals to encourage job growth by reducing the costs of energy, taxes and regulations. This section also includes several proactive programs to encourage growth in small business, manufacturing and agriculture with grants, tax credits and regulatory reforms. The plan also supports comprehensive Workers' Compensation reform, expansion of New York's successful Empire Zone program, and innovative new tourism initiatives.

Assemblyman Brian Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) said, "As Chairman of the Task Force on Manufacturing, I have learned that our state has an unmatched workforce, abundant natural resources and world-class educational facilities. Despite all of this, many businesses are still struggling under government red-tape, high energy costs and high taxes. The business-friendly initiatives in Excelsior 2005 will create an atmosphere conducive to economic growth, helping manufacturers, small business and farmers not only survive, but thrive, and allowing New York to live up to its nickname - The Empire State."

Ensuring a quality education for our children - these proposals recognize the critical role education plays in New York's future. The plan reinforces Assembly Minority members commitment to adequate operating aid, parental involvement in education, increased financial oversight of schools, recognition of exceptional students and teachers, and the best use of education dollars. The plan would also prohibit new unnecessary mandates on schools, streamline district paperwork and reporting requirements, increase opportunities and funding for programs that expose children to computers and support additional enrichment programs. Also included are ideas to ensure that college grads can meet the high-tech needs of today's and the future's employers as well as keep New York students safe from hazing and bullying.

Assemblyman Jim Bacalles (R,C-Corning) said, "Our future depends on the ability of our children to receive a quality education in a safe environment. We must insist on high standards from our children, but also realize that can only be achieved in schools that work. Our plan calls for equitable operating aid and rewarding innovation to make sure schools have the resources they need to properly educate our children."

Safer Communities - these bold anti-crime measures would keep our roads safe, protect New Yorkers from terrorism, reduce urban crime and combat drugs, including the growing methamphetamine problem. The plan also includes "Zero Tolerance" measures to protect women and children from violent sexual attacks and a resolution to fix the loophole in the current death penalty law.

Assemblyman David R. Townsend, Jr. (R,C,I,WF - Kirkland). "New York is proudly one of the safest large states in the nation. But as I travel throughout the state as Chair of the Task Force on Urban Crime and a former police officer, I see that there is more work to be done. Our plans for safer communities would bolster New York's efforts against terrorism, sex assault, DWI, gang activity and the growing methamphetamine problem."

Protecting our quality of life - includes a series of programs targeted at enhancing availability and affordability of housing, healthcare and childcare and new programs and benefits for active duty NYS National Guard members, veterans and immigrants.

Assemblywoman Catharine Young (R,C,I - Olean) said, "Maintaining a high quality of life for our citizens is a vital component to the success of New York. The initiatives outlined in our Assembly Minority agenda will build upon the state's already excellent quality of life by enhancing housing, healthcare and childcare and by creating new programs for veterans and immigrants."

To obtain additional copies of the Assembly Minority plan, please call the Office of Public Affairs at (518) 455-5073.