In his State of the State message this afternoon, Governor Paterson outlined several proposals that may be practical, efficient and effective methods toward an end goal of solving the fiscal distress in which New York State has found itself. While a good speech helps to inspire confidence, as state leaders, we must work together to ensure that those methods result in solutions to reduce skyrocketing property taxes, reduce bureaucratic red-tape which creates an unfriendly business climate, and we must get a grip on out-of-control state spending.

Changing the culture and the way Albany does business is of paramount importance. I fully support ending the “pay-to-play” scheme which has driven the state into a deep black hole by amending current ethics laws.

I’m hopeful that this New Year will bring a renewed spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation among all political parties, the Assembly, the Senate, the Governor, all state agencies and local governments. The best way to grow ourselves into prosperity is to put partisan politics aside and work together for the benefit of my Assembly District and all of New York state.