Press Releases

Fitzpatrick Approves Governor’s Support For Business Tax Relief, Cautions Aggressive Minimum Wage Increase And Lack Of Unfunded Mandate Relief Will Hurt Jobs

Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown) is encouraged to see Gov. Cuomo include tax relief for small-business owners in his 2016 agenda. The governor is proposing a 15 percent Personal Income Tax (PIT) exemption and a reduction in the net income...

Fitzpatrick Calls For Full Return Of Education Funds And Timely School Aid Runs

Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown) today called on the governor to fully return the funds taken from schools in a 2009-10 budget maneuver known as the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA). Additionally, Fitzpatrick is calling for a timely release...

Fitzpatrick Named to New York Farm Bureau Circle of Friends

Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown) was recently named to the New York Farm Bureau’s Circle of Friends. He was one of 158 distinguished state legislators to be named to the list for his support of New York’s agriculture industry and the...

When Pension Funds Dry Up, State Workers Will Lose Retirement Benefits

Today, Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown), arguably the strongest advocate in the state Legislature for reforming the public employee pension program, provided yet another reason why the state should look toward a defined contribution plan. “The...

Fitzpatrick Sponsoring Blood Drive For Long Island Blood Services

On Thursday, July 23, Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown) will sponsor a blood drive with Long Island Blood Services at the Hauppauge Fire Department. The drive will be held in the department’s meeting room and run from 2 to 8 p.m. “This...

Fitzpatrick: Toothless Legislation Breeds Further Corruption

“Earlier this year, my Assembly Minority colleagues and I proposed legislation (A.4643) that would amend the New York State Constitution to strip public servants, including elected officials, of their taxpayer-funded pensions if convicted of a felony...

Fitzpatrick: Businesses Fleeing NY, START-UP NY Ineffective

“The START-UP NY program instituted by Gov. Cuomo was supposed to create a rapid influx of potential jobs coming into New York State. On Long Island, however, we have seen an exodus of companies leaving for lower costs due to oppressive taxes and energy...

Fitzpatrick: Pension Reform Essential To The Economic Health Of New York

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“My Assembly Minority Conference colleagues and I have proposed a number of significant reforms since the beginning of the legislative session, one of which is legislation (A.4643) that would amend the New York State Constitution to strip public servants,...

New York State’s Expanding Pension Bubble Continually Threatens To Further Increase Cost Of Living

New York State taxpayers are sitting on an ever-expanding pension bubble that needs to be popped. Due in large part to the billions of taxpayer dollars the state and its localities are required to contribute toward New York State’s public pension fund,...

Fitzpatrick: DMV Must Stop Selling Drivers’ Personal Information

“It has recently come to light that the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has been bidding the private information of millions of New York residents to third parties and selling it to the highest bidders. Private information should be kept...

Fitzpatrick Disappointed With Lack Of Real Tax Relief

"Long Island residents and all business owners will continue to struggle with the high cost of living and doing business in New York State due to the lack of mandate relief in this year’s budget. Real mandate relief – such as a two percent cap on...

Fitzpatrick Wants Mandate Relief In Final Budget

“Long Island residents and small businesses need relief from some of the highest property taxes in the country. A practical way to achieve that is through comprehensive mandate relief. Because the state has received an additional $610 million in bank...

Fitzpatrick Reacts To Assembly’s Budget

“The Assembly Majority’s one-house budget resolution will hasten the decline of the business climate in New York State and increase the property tax burden for all taxpayers. In fact, according to state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, there will be...

Fitzpatrick: NYS Senate Term Limit Bill A Step In The Right Direction

Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown) commended the New York State Senate’s passage yesterday of Senate Bill 2722-B to enact term limits for state legislative leadership positions. “In light of recent events regarding the Assembly Speaker,...

Fitzpatrick’s Priorities For Budget Season

With the 2015-16 New York State Budget season upon us, some of us are focused on providing Long Island with meaningful relief by reducing the tax burden and cutting costs for small business. I am making the argument to improve our quality of life by reducing...

Fitzpatrick Announces Bill To Repeal Video Lottery Gaming On Long Island

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Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown) today held a press conference at the State Building in Hauppauge, NY to introduce his legislation, Assembly Bill A.5187, to rescind the authorization for 1,000 video lottery gaming terminals to be operated...

Ethics Reform Is Necessary To Move Forward

There are a great number of issues currently facing New York State and its residents. Chief among them is the need for ethics reform. We must address this troubling matter before we can move forward with anything else. I have joined with fellow members...

In Light Of Federal Corruption Charges Against Silver, Pension Reform More Important Than Ever

Sheldon Silver’s arrest on federal bribery and corruption charges highlights the on-going need to reform our state’s expensive pension system for elected officials. If Silver is convicted, he will remain eligible to collect a taxpayer-funded pension...

Create Bi-Partisan Coalition To Take Speaker Seat Out Of NYC

The time has come for a new era. While Speaker Sheldon Silver is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the stain of these allegations can never be washed away. The Assembly needs a fresh start, not just a fresh face. A temporary ceding of power cannot,...

Fitzpatrick: Property Tax Relief Should Be Top Focus

Today, during his State of the State Address, Gov. Cuomo brought forth his intention to once again increase the minimum wage in New York State. President Obama and Gov. Cuomo are doing too much to try and control the economy. Increasing the minimum wage...