LAWMAKERS LUNCHEON
Legislators talk state issues at annual event
LATHAM, N.Y. » The Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual ‘Meet The Legislators’ luncheon at The Century House in Latham.
The Friday afternoon panel encompassed Sen. Neil D. Breslin (D-Bethlehem), Sen. Daphne Jordan (R-Halfmoon), Assemblyman Jake Ashby (RCastleston) and Assemblyman John T. McDonald III (D- Cohoes).
NewsChannel 13 Vice President and General Manager, Steve Baboulis, moderated the panel, which touched on issues including the budget, census, population, workforce development, and New York’s business climate.
As budget season nears closer, state finances were a big topic. Included in that a disastrous consideration by the state to end spousal refusal to pay for nursing home care, which would crush middle- class and poor elderly families in New York. Plus, the issue of the state mismanaging Medicaid costs and spending, while subsequently blaming counties and local municipalities for being irresponsible.
“Right now we have a $4.5 billion dollar deficit with Medicaid. It’s important that we don’t lay that levy on the counties. I can tell you that the legislature is very, very concerned about that. We’re looking at how we make
some cuts in Medicaid spending and some areas that have grown extraordinarily quick,” McDonald III said on lessening the burden on counties.
Breslin also touched on addressing those costs.
“We all recognize that education is expensive. From the time someone gets to pre-kindergarten, which we should do more on, to kindergarten, right up through college. Healthcare is exploding,” he said.
“Income tax is the only progressive tax. And the last time I saw a billionaire was on television. There’s no one in my neighborhood, there’s no one in my county. If there’s a way to generate additional funds, it’s not on the backs of hardworking people. It’s to allow billionaires and people like that to pay a little bit more,” Breslin noted.
“I also agree for instance with the Medicaid decisions of eight years ago. Which kept taxes down in the counties. Albany County hasn’t gotten a property tax increase in seven years. So, we’re in the right direction but if we need revenues it can’t be on the backs of the people in this room or hardworking people throughout the state,” Breslin added.
Ashby noted it comes down to priorities in where critical tax dollars are spent.
“Bottom line is you have to stop spending so much. You have to look at what you’re spending on. So when we look at vanity projects that go on throughout the state, whether it’s movie studios in Syracuse or that sort of thing, it gives people the wrong impression on what your priorities are,” Ashby said.
“If we look at the burden that the counties are currently under and the representation for example on the MRT2, Medicaid Redesign Team 2, I think there’s one representative on there right now for the counties. They’re taking on tremendous costs. Is that fair to them? Are they really being heard with just one representative? I would argue not.”
“So I think that our county governments are being heard at the state level and to make sure that they are being treated fairly. If you look at their budgets, the majority of their budgets are Medicaid, that’s what’s driving the cost. So, we need to take a hard look at that,” Ashby added on the need of the state to listen to and bring more local municipalities to the table.
“I think we need to bring state finances more under control. The state should be under the same path as the local governments,” Jordan added on curbing spending.
In bringing more dollars into the state, all four representatives recognized the vital impact of getting every citizen counted for the 2020 U.S. Census, especially with the state primed to lose at least one and possibly two congressional seats.
“The census is critical to what we will receive in terms of dollars from the federal government. There’s federal dollars in Medicaid, there’s federal dollars in roads, even in our post offices. If we incorrectly estimate, it will cost us billions of dollars,” Breslin noted of what those dollars mean in terms of resources.
McDonald, who will host a joint recruitment effort with Troy Mayor Patrick Madden at Troy Prep Elementary School from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, emphasized the need of counting everyone.
“New York State is extraordinarily diverse, that’s why a lot of resources have been included in the budget the last two years to make sure all populations are counted. We’re all united in the fact that we want everybody counted because it means every single resource coming to the state that we should be getting,” McDonald said.
Ashby echoed the sentiments of getting the information out there on the census.
“It’s important for us to really get the word out and try and corral as many people as we can to help with this effort. It’s not something to be marginalized at all because it’s so significant,” Ashby noted.
Jordan also explained the importance of the census from the perspective of a business owner.
“The census has significant impact on all of you on all of your business. You use those statistics, first of all to see who your potential customer base is. Whether you should set up somewhere else in the state or in the country. You’re looking at all of that as to where you’re going to be,” Jordan remarked.
Part of keeping up New York’s population is keeping people in the state with quality, high-paying jobs. All four legislators appeared to be in agreement on the need for more workforce development.
Jordan noted how vital is is to “fill the manufacturing gap” and filling the skills gap for jobs already available with one one to fill them. In addition, Jordan noted the role of the mutual benefits of internships for businesses and students alike.
Ashby cited the importance of a “more business friendly climate” and to work with the chamber to “cultivate business,” while also working with hiring Veterans and fostering small businesses.
McDonald added the need to, “train people up,” be it through vocational programs or dif ferent trades.
Breslin also noted the crucial role of “selling the idea of a shovel ready approach,” while also emphasizing more training and collaboration and synergy with trade unions in preparing workers to be competitive in the future job market.