Niagara USA Chamber

Dear New Yorkers,

Recently I submitted the 2012-2013 Executive Budget and Reform Plan to the Legislature. Because of the tough choices we made last year, we were able to balance this budget without broad cuts and with no new taxes, fees or borrowing.

Our plan is a pro-growth economic blueprint that will create tens of thousands of jobs by fostering private sector investment. It will lower the cost of government and help reduce property taxes through important proposals like pension reform and mandate relief. And it will move our state to a performance-based education system that puts students first.

We are proposing dramatic change and it’s not going to be easy to get it done. The need for reform and the benefits to the state are obvious, but we will face significant challenges as we work to change the status quo.

But with your help – if we come together as New Yorkers as we did last year – we can make these reforms reality.

Join me in transforming New York.

Sincerely,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Follow the link: 2012 Budget Address January 17, 2012

Dear Fellow New Yorkers,

Governor Cuomo understands that our state’s high property taxes are driving people from their homes and businesses. That is why he made lowering property taxes a top priority and, last year, he led the successful fight to enact the first-ever property tax cap in the state.

We now need to relieve local governments of burdensome state laws that drive up their costs. That’s why the Governor is proposing sweeping reforms to lower the cost of government by removing state-imposed mandates.

Among the proposals is relieving counties and NYC from the costs of Medicaid growth. The Governor has proposed a state takeover of the costs of Medicaid growth over the next three years. This would save local governments $1.2 billion over the next five years.

We also have to focus on reforming the public pension system — one of the most expensive mandates for local governments. Pension costs are growing at an unsustainable rate, projected to increase 185% from 2009 to 2015.

We must act now to control growth. That’s why the Governor has called for changes in the public pension system for new employees. This would save local governments $79 billion over the next 30 years.

The Governor’s pension reform plan is fair to employees and taxpayers, and no current employees will be affected by it.

Click here to learn more the Governor’s proposals for pension reform.

To engage the public in discussion about further changes to lower government costs, a joint Legislative Executive Mandate Relief Council has been established and begun meeting. It will hold public hearings around the state and then issue a package of recommendations to be voted on this legislative session.

Join Governor Cuomo in making the government work for the people again: Click here to encourage friends and family to get involved.

Together, we are Building a New New York.