“We’ve had some wonderful successes during the 2011 legislative session and, in my first year in the state Assembly, I am proud to have helped pass an on-time budget that closed a $10 billion budget deficit while protecting funding for agricultural programs as well as passing the Recharge NY plan to provide affordable energy to help create jobs and grow our economy.

“For seniors and families in the North Country, aside from growing good jobs, capping and cutting property taxes is the most important issue. We made significant progress in this area passing a historic two percent cap. However, without true protections from Albany’s mandates, our schools and local governments may deteriorate to the point of closure. We desperately need mandate relief, and the Assembly Majority’s blockage of my efforts and those of my Minority colleagues to reform the costly Medicaid mandate sends a clear message to New Yorkers that they are not serious about property tax relief. I will continue to work across party lines until comprehensive mandate relief is secured.

“I will never stop fighting Albany-dictated mandates on school districts and local governments and its high taxes and government red tape. With additional action on mandate relief and jobs, New York can see a more vigorous economic recovery and brighter fiscal future.”