It was good to be back in the State capitol recently and embark on this legislative year. The first week included the annual State of the State address by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He talked about a variety of topics including creating the country’s largest convention center in New York City, investing $1 billion in Buffalo for job creation, forming an energy superhighway, and reforming education. As a representative from the Central New York region, I wanted to share my thoughts on the most important aspects of his speech that will impact our area. I was glad to hear many of them mentioned and hope we in Albany can build off the momentum of last year. Much, however, remains to be seen, as we await details on these proposals.

Mandate relief

We need to finish the job we started last year by passing a property-tax cap. Unfunded and underfunded mandates drive up costs for schools, municipalities, and, accordingly, increase property taxes that support them. I was glad to hear Governor Cuomo say the words “mandate relief.” This is a critical if we are to truly cut costs. We need to reduce the mandates associated with Medicaid by lowering the local cost share for counties. We need to take some of the requirements away from school districts. We need to give local cities, villages, and towns a way to work within their means, without cutting basic services that residents need and demand. I sincerely hope, for all of our sakes, mandate relief is finally part of the 2012 legislative session.

School-aid reform

In virtually every one of my regular talks with area parents, taxpayers, school-district representatives, and teachers, the school-aid formula topic comes up. We need to reform the school-aid formula so that funding is more equitable. State aid accounts for a large portion of low-wealth districts’ total budgets so when we talk about a 10 percent cut across the board for school districts in our region, this forces districts to cut staff and close schools, but to somehow maintain state and federally mandated services. Cuomo said education reform will be a priority this year. I hope the school-aid formula is reformed as part of his proposed plan, because this formula is unfair to those students who need help the most. 

“Energy Superhighway”

The State of the State address talked about energy, and how we need to connect the dots from the energy creators to the energy consumers by creating an “Energy Superhighway.” I couldn’t agree more. This would particularly benefit our region, as we already have several power plants, both hydro and nuclear, that can and do provide energy to New York City. If the state were to create this energy superhighway, this would also create more high-paying jobs. Our region is already poised to capitalize on such a “highway.”

Agency, government consolidation

According to the comptroller’s office, New York has 1,000 state agencies, authorities and commissions. No state needs this much government. Last year, the state implemented some agency consolidation, but not enough. We were able to consolidate the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, State Commission of Correction, Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and the Office of Victim Services within the Department of Criminal Justice Services, for example. 

Job creation, tourism

I have sponsored legislation (Bill A.4178) that, if passed, would accomplish a goal similar to what the governor said he wants to accomplish in making our Central and Upstate New York regions tourist destinations. By promoting our assets such as our lakes, mountains, streams, trails and wildlife, we have the potential to be a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. A successful marketing campaign would draw more people to our towns, villages, and cities who have the money to spend on lodging, food, fuel, and licenses to hunt, fish or snowmobile.         

William (Will) A. Barclay is the Republican representative of the 124th New York Assembly District, which encompasses parts of Oswego and Onondaga counties, including Oswego, Fulton, Camillus, and Skaneateles. Contact him at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us or call (315) 598-5185. 

There is a phenomenal development afoot. It is delivering benefits to you. Many people want to stop it. But they will fail.

The development is oil and natural gas. On this continent. New technologies have brought forth at least 100 years’ supply of natural gas for us. So much natural gas has been uncovered that its price has fallen 75 percent on the market. (A pity for those who claim big outfits conspire to fix energy prices.)

New technologies have located and tapped vast oil reserves in North Dakota. This is apparently the fourth largest oil find in our history. Some engineers predict it will become the largest ever. 

Such technologies are creating new oil and gas sources in Europe, the UK, Brazil, Argentina, and other parts of the world. Just as other technologies have turned Canada’s oil sands into an immense pool of oil.

In recent years, about 6,000 new oil wells have been drilled in North Dakota. Ninety percent of them make money. That’s an incredibly high percentage in the history of oil drilling. Within two decades there may be nearly 50,000 wells in the state. 

Here are some of the benefits. We worry that unfriendly foreigners who provide us with oil hold the U.S. to ransom. They abuse us — because we need their oil. In 2005, we had to import 60 percent of our oil from offshore. Today the figure is 49 percent. And, it’s falling rapidly.

More abundant oil and gas around the world will ease tensions. It will stifle oil powers like Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya, and
Venezuela. Today, we worry about conflicts in the Middle East — because so much of the world’s oil comes from that region. With oil and gas coming online from many other regions, the bad guys will have far less clout. And, they will have less money with which to fund their mischief.

Many electric companies are converting old coal-powered plants to the new inexpensive natural gas. You get lower-cost electricity. You get cleaner air. Meanwhile, our industries are enjoying lower energy costs. That is good for all of us.

All this oil and natural gas has the greens pulling out their hair. You can understand their predicament. Cheap and abundant oil and gas make solar and biofuels and wind less competitive. Those renewable-energy sources need to be heavily subsidized as it is. 

The greens staked a lot on the theory that oil and gas production had peaked. Well, it has not. The peak-oil theorists did not foresee that new technologies would push peak oil far into the future.

The greens also believed scientists who told us carbon emissions cause global warming. Many other scientists have shot holes in those theories, rapidly slowing the drive to limit carbon emissions.

The greens decry the new technologies. They will pollute our water, they insist. They may be right in some instances. And, nobody can argue that oil, gas, and mineral developers have pristine track records. My point is simply that the greens will be no match for the force of cheap and abundant energy. They may win a skirmish here and there. But, they will lose the battle.

Drilling technology is radically changing the global energy game. It will strengthen us and our allies in many ways. It will sap much of the power of those who wish to thwart us and bleed us. It will lower a number of the pressures that have led us into or threatened us with war. It will lower the cost of heating our homes.

And, never forget what is most important to millions of Americans: It will put more folks behind the wheel of SUVs and big pickup trucks. 

They are doing a victory lap, along with those who favor oil and gas. I don’t believe this is a lap the greens will toast.

From Tom…as in Morgan.                      

Tom Morgan writes about financial and other subjects from his home near Oneonta, in addition to his radio shows and new TV show. For more information about him, visit his website at www.tomasinmorgan.com