My office recently invited people in the 120th Assembly district to participate in a legislative survey, and more than 800 people took the time to respond. The survey asked people their thoughts on the local economy, laws pertaining to drugs, child welfare, the SAFE Act, economic development, and health care. 

Not surprisingly, in this unscientific survey, the clear majority of people are concerned about our local economy. People noted a lack of high-paying jobs, high unemployment, high property taxes, high government spending, poverty, and loss of industries as our area’s biggest challenge. These same concerns were repeated by almost all who responded to this question. In addition, about 70 percent rate the local economy as poor or very poor. To address the economic concerns, respondents said that New York needs to reduce taxes and regulations to encourage more private-sector jobs. Some also advocated for more funding for workforce development and career training.

When asked what the best part of our community is, people were optimistic. Respondents noted low crime, affordable housing, rural lifestyle, great parks, abundance of natural resources and beauty, outdoor recreation, and the people. Overwhelmingly, respondents spoke of the people here as the best part of our communities. 

“Friendly people willing to help,” “Small town where people care,” “Volunteerism and willingness to help,” and “Good people and nice communities,” were a few of the sentiments people shared.

The survey respondents expressed continued concern about drug abuse and support legislation that increases penalties for drug dealers. Out of those surveyed, 77 percent support legislation that would allow drug dealers to be charged with homicide if they sell drugs to an individual who dies as a result of an overdose. In addition, 88 percent support legislation that would add synthetic drugs, such as Spike, to the controlled-substance list thereby making it a crime to sell or use these drugs.

Second-amendment rights, child protection, and health care were also important to those who responded:

• Nearly 60 percent urged for the SAFE Act’s full or partial repeal.

• 78 percent support improving state law to better protect children from repeat child abusers. 

• Affordable health care, adequate funding for infrastructure (such as roads, bridges water, and sewer), welfare reform, adequate funding for schools, and programs for veterans were also noted as top concerns.

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey. The feedback is valuable and assists in my understanding of what is important to people in the district.

It also emboldens some of the causes I am already fighting for in the Assembly. As such, I will continue to push back on programs and mandates that increase taxes and make it difficult to do business in New York. I will also continue to push for policies that protect children and strengthen our laws on drugs.                                     

William (Will) A. Barclay is the Republican representative of the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact him at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us, or (315) 598-5185.

New York state consistently ranks at or near the bottom for its oppressive business climate. For people courageous enough to take a risk, invest their time and money, and start their own business, Albany rewards them with sky-high costs and endless regulations. If things weren’t bad enough, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing two new bad policies that will hurt working people and businesses. 

Cuomo has taken steps to drastically alter the rules governing how businesses schedule shifts for their employees. Under his proposal, last-minute scheduling changes due to weather or other unpredictable conditions will require businesses to pay inconvenienced employees up to four hours’ wages. Managers will be required to schedule 14 days in advance, with workers getting paid two hours at minimum wage if called in unexpectedly. Further, any scheduled shift cut without 72 hours’ notice will allow the affected employee to collect up to four hours’ pay. These requirements will be a nightmare for ski-resort operators, ice-cream shops, golf-course maintenance managers, car washes and countless other businesses that make personnel decisions based on the weather.

The governor would also like to raise the base wage for tipped workers such as restaurant servers and bartenders, which would effectively eliminate a valuable tip income stream they rely upon to make ends meet. No matter how you slice it, servers will take home less money if the policy is implemented.

A disturbing pattern of job killing

Many small businesses in New York are barely scraping by due to ridiculous taxes and mandates. Adding this scheduling obstacle is another unnecessary and costly obstacle job-creators must navigate. And across the board, servers are preparing for a net loss because of the planned changes to the way tipped workers are compensated.

I’ve spoken to many small-business owners around New York state and the Finger Lakes Region. Their constant theme is one of frustration and anxiety. 

Eric Zimmerman, owner of Eric’s Office in Canandaigua, said “I think Cuomo’s got it in for New York — especially the restaurant industry. We had the increase in the minimum wage and paid family leave two years ago. They doubled my disability insurance costs. As a small place we can’t raise prices to accommodate all this. You talk to people in the business and they say — ‘What are we going to do?’ ”

As far as how servers feel about the tipped-wage proposal? “You cannot find a server that’s for it,” he said.

New York’s economic backbone can only handle so many political stunts and ill-conceived policies before it finally snaps.   

Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C–Canandaigua), a former small-business owner, is the New York Assembly Minority Leader and represents the 131st Assembly District, which encompasses all of Ontario County and parts of Seneca County. Contact him at kolbb@nyassembly.gov