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Governor Falls Short on Ethics-Reform Proposals
But, he gets it right with small-business tax cuts and school-aid increase . . . Governor Andrew Cuomo recently delivered his State of the State Address, which contrary to protocol, he combined with his 2016-17 budget address. The speech lasted nearly two hours and set forth the governor’s priorities for the 2016 legislative session. Here are […]
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But, he gets it right with small-business tax cuts and school-aid increase . . .
Governor Andrew Cuomo recently delivered his State of the State Address, which contrary to protocol, he combined with his 2016-17 budget address. The speech lasted nearly two hours and set forth the governor’s priorities for the 2016 legislative session. Here are some highlights of his speech.
Ethics reform
With the arrest and conviction of Sheldon Silver, the former Speaker of the Assembly, and Dean Skelos, the former majority leader in the State Senate, it is evident that real ethics reform is needed in Albany. Gov. Cuomo in his State of the State Address set forth proposals that he claims will help clean up the ethics mess that we have in Albany. Unfortunately, his two major proposals — public financing of campaigns and limiting outside income for legislators — would worsen the ethics problems we have in Albany, not lessen them. For example, New York City (NYC) has public financing of campaigns for city counsel and citywide races. But an examination of NYC’s campaign system shows that public financing of campaigns has just cost taxpayers money, it has not prevented corruption, increased voter turn out, or made elections more competitive — all things that were promised when the NYC system of public financing of campaigns was instituted.
The governor mentioned in his speech that by limiting outside income for legislators, New York will be copying what’s done in Congress. Is that the system that New York really wants to emulate — a place that is made up of professional politicians. Make no mistake, limiting outside income for legislators is the first step toward a full-time legislature. This, in turn, will only discourage people from various backgrounds from running for office and bring to the New York Legislature the concept of professional politicians.
Instead of the governor’s proposals, the legislature should focus on reforms that will change how business in done in Albany. We should institute term limits for leaders and have ethics complaints vetted by an ethics committee that is truly independent from legislative leaders. Moreover, to encourage a more representative government, the Assembly should allow rank-and-file members to get legislation to the floor of the Assembly for a vote if a majority of members support the legislation.
Small-business tax relief
On a positive note, the governor in his speech recognized the challenges that small businesses, the backbone of our state’s economy, face. To help small businesses, he is proposing what amounts to a $300 million tax cut. Under his proposal, the corporate franchise tax rate would be decreased from 6.5 percent to 4 percent for small businesses with income below $290,000. He would also provide a 15 percent tax exemption for qualifying small businesses. These are policies that I have supported in the past, and I look forward to working with the governor on getting them passed this year.
School aid
The governor also proposes to finally close the GEA (gap elimination adjustment). This was a funding cut that public schools took several years ago when the state was facing severe budgetary constraints. Very often, however, this cut disproportionately hurt low-wealth school districts that are more reliant on state aid than higher-wealth districts. Over the last few years, the state has decreased the GEA, but we have yet to totally close this gap. I applaud the governor for proposing to get rid of it completely. But instead of getting rid of it over two years as he is proposing, I would advocate getting rid of it this year.
These are just a few major policies that the governor is proposing. There are several more that I will write about in future columns.
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.
Fust Charles Chambers LLP has hired DENG GAI and RYAN DOMERas audit associates to help service the firm’s clients. Gai graduated from Le Moyne College with an MBA and bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was previously an intern in the audit and tax department at Fust Charles Chambers. Gai is currently working to complete the
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Fust Charles Chambers LLP has hired DENG GAI and RYAN DOMERas audit associates to help service the firm’s clients. Gai graduated from Le Moyne College with an MBA and bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was previously an intern in the audit and tax department at Fust Charles Chambers. Gai is currently working to complete the certification process to earn his CPA designation. Domer graduated from SUNY Oswego with an MBA in public accounting, after receiving his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Columbia College. He is currently working to complete the certification process to earn his CPA designation.
PAUL MAHALICK has joined Daley, LaCombe and Charette, P.C. as a partner. He is a CPA and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and his MBA from SUNY Oswego. Mahalick has almost 20 years of accounting experience. While specializing in individual and small-business taxation, he also concentrates in the areas of accounting and taxation of
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PAUL MAHALICK has joined Daley, LaCombe and Charette, P.C. as a partner. He is a CPA and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and his MBA from SUNY Oswego. Mahalick has almost 20 years of accounting experience. While specializing in individual and small-business taxation, he also concentrates in the areas of accounting and taxation of equestrian farms and athletes.
Tompkins Trust Company has promoted MICHELLE HALLOCK, who is a learning and development business partner, to officer. She has been with the bank for more than five years, and is responsible for training, development, and career counseling for all employees in the Central New York region. LINDA GEORGIA, branch manager of the Dryden office, has
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Tompkins Trust Company has promoted MICHELLE HALLOCK, who is a learning and development business partner, to officer. She has been with the bank for more than five years, and is responsible for training, development, and career counseling for all employees in the Central New York region. LINDA GEORGIA, branch manager of the Dryden office, has been promoted, to assistant VP. She has been with the bank for two years, and has 35 years of experience in the banking industry.
Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) has appointed IBRAHIM ROSIC to the new position of director of the Learning Commons in the Center for Language and Learning Design. He has been with MVCC since 2002, holding various positions including adjunct instructor in mathematics, math tutor and mentor in the Tutoring Center, coordinator of the Learning Center,
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Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) has appointed IBRAHIM ROSIC to the new position of director of the Learning Commons in the Center for Language and Learning Design. He has been with MVCC since 2002, holding various positions including adjunct instructor in mathematics, math tutor and mentor in the Tutoring Center, coordinator of the Learning Center, and director of the Learning Center. Rosic earned his associate degree in electrical engineering technology from MVCC, and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering technology and advanced technology, respectively, from SUNYIT.
POMCO has promoted AMY MITCHELL to accounting supervisor. She has been with POMCO since March 2009 and previously was a staff accountant and senior accountant at the Syracuse–based firm.
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POMCO has promoted AMY MITCHELL to accounting supervisor. She has been with POMCO since March 2009 and previously was a staff accountant and senior accountant at the Syracuse–based firm.
EarQ recently announced additions to its leadership team. ANDREW HEBERT will now serve as EarQ’s senior VP, CLIFFORD CAREY will step into the role of VP of communications, NATALIE PHILLIPS will be EarQ’s first director of audiology, and SARAH BURTCH will advance into the role of national sales director. Formerly the VP, over the past
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EarQ recently announced additions to its leadership team. ANDREW HEBERT will now serve as EarQ’s senior VP, CLIFFORD CAREY will step into the role of VP of communications, NATALIE PHILLIPS will be EarQ’s first director of audiology, and SARAH BURTCH will advance into the role of national sales director. Formerly the VP, over the past nine years, Hebert has led the company in its development and execution of innovative programs and services. Carey’s new position comes after three years of successfully transitioning EarQ’s creative department as director of communications. Board-certified in audiology, Phillips is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. While continuing to practice at Advanced Otolaryngology and Audiology in Fort Collins, Colo., she will offer a professional voice for patients and advise EarQ’s educational content development. Burtch brings more than 10 years experience in sales, marketing, and brand management to EarQ. She previously was the VP of sales and operations at Beowulf Natural Feeds, Inc., the national inside sales manager at DFA Farm Supplies, and the district sales manager for Kellogg Company.
Herkimer County HealthNet has named DR. THOMAS C. CURNOW its executive director. He has more than 30 years of administrative experience and has more than two decades experience as faculty in higher education in various areas of health. Curnow has a doctorate in education from Syracuse University. His past employment positions include chief operations officer
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Herkimer County HealthNet has named DR. THOMAS C. CURNOW its executive director. He has more than 30 years of administrative experience and has more than two decades experience as faculty in higher education in various areas of health. Curnow has a doctorate in education from Syracuse University. His past employment positions include chief operations officer from Westchester County as well as leadership positions with other nonprofit organizations.
BEVERLY KLEIN, RN, was recently named director of Menorah Park of CNY’s Home Care agency that provides at-home medical and companion care. She came to Menorah Park as a home care case manager in 2013. Prior to joining Menorah Park, Klein was supervisor of clinical services and case manager at a number of local home-care
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BEVERLY KLEIN, RN, was recently named director of Menorah Park of CNY’s Home Care agency that provides at-home medical and companion care. She came to Menorah Park as a home care case manager in 2013. Prior to joining Menorah Park, Klein was supervisor of clinical services and case manager at a number of local home-care agencies, and also worked as an operating room, emergency room, and physician’s office registered nurse.
MORGAN REID has joined Preferred Mutual Insurance Company as an auto physical damage claims representative. She previously was a resource management analyst at Frontier Communications. Reid is a graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
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MORGAN REID has joined Preferred Mutual Insurance Company as an auto physical damage claims representative. She previously was a resource management analyst at Frontier Communications. Reid is a graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
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