Press Release | Anthony Brindisi for Assemblyman

***Statement***

Brindisi: It has been, it currently is and will continue to be all about JOBS

“I’ve said it before, and I’m going to keep on saying it – jobs, jobs, and more jobs are what we need to keep the Mohawk Valley moving forward. Families shouldn’t be forced to move away from our area to find good jobs, and our kids should have opportunities to succeed right here at home.

“RoAnn Destito and Governor Cuomo have laid the groundwork to get Upstate New York back on track by cutting state spending, capping property taxes and attacking government waste. Now, I’m calling on local leaders to come together and rally around Lt. Governor Duffy and Governor Cuomo’s NY Works Agenda, a bold, forward-thinking jobs plan that will put New Yorkers back to work now and sustain job growth here in our community.

BRINDISI PRISON CLOSURE STATEMENT

“While we all know that state government needs to cut spending in order for our economy to grow, the state’s decision to close the Oneida prison will be a real blow to our local economy.I urge the state to consider the impact this will have on our community and ensure that at aminimum, Rome receives its fair share of the $50 million of economic development capitalfunding set aside specifically for communities affected by prison closures.

It is imperative that area representatives ensure the Oneida workers are taken care of, by workingwith the administration to accommodate as many as possible at the three remaining correctionalfacilities in the area and alert local businesses of the Economic Transformation Tax CreditProgram. These funds, along with the economic development capital can be used to retrainworkers and expand economic development initiatives in Rome.

As our government cuts taxes, reins in spending and learns to do more with less, we also mustadapt so we can retain and attract good-paying jobs. Now is the time to work together with thegovernor and local leaders to bring new high-tech businesses to the area so we can create the

Brindisi congratulates Destito on her confirmation, calls for property tax cap to move Mohawk Valley forward

Assembly candidate Anthony Brindisi congratulated Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito on her unanimous Senate confirmation as Commissioner of the New York State Office of General Services.

“In her distinguished career as our Assemblywoman, RoAnn Destito has been a tireless advocate for the Mohawk Valley,” Brindisi said. “For two decades, RoAnn has worked for better jobs, better schools and a better quality of life in our communities – that’s a legacy I hope to continue.

“RoAnn’s new post will focus on modernizing our state operations, leading to government efficiencies, an important step New York must take to ease the burden on taxpayers and get our local economy moving again. Another step we must take is to institute a statewide property tax cap to provide tax relief to homeowners,” Brindisi added.

Brindisi said he supports Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to cap the growth
of local property taxes at 2 percent per year. According to a recent study by the Tax Foundation, New York ranks 4th in property taxes among the states, with a median property tax bill of $3,755 in 2009.1

Property tax relief is a key part of Anthony Brindisi’s plan to bring good-‐paying jobs to the Mohawk Valley and make the area more business-‐friendly.

“Yesterday, Governor Cuomo came to Syracuse to the deliver the message that Central New Yorkers need property tax relief now,” Brindisi said. “Not only are these high property taxes hurting homeowners, but they’re also squeezing Central

1www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/nyregion/21taxes.html?_r=3&partner=rssnyt&e=

New York businesses and stifling job growth. This tax cap is an essential part of our solution to attract businesses that will invest and expand in the Mohawk Valley.”

Brindisi, a Utica School Board member, also believes that any tax cap would have to include the elimination of unfunded state mandates on local governments.

“As a school board member, I know how tough it is for communities to deal with unfunded state mandates, especially in this economy,” Brindisi said. “Any tax cap would have to include the elimination of mandates so that our local governments can continue providing the services our families depend on.”

Date: May 26, 2011

Brindisi echoes Governor Cuomo’s call forproperty tax relief

Assembly candidate Anthony Brindisi joined Governor Andrew Cuomo’s

call for the passage of a statewide property tax cap at Mohawk Valley Community

College yesterday. Cuomo spoke about the tax cap and other reform efforts as part

of his “People First” tour.

“A property tax cap in New York State is long overdue,” Brindisi

said. “Governor Cuomo has been at the forefront of this issue and if elected, I will

work with him to provide Mohawk Valley homeowners and businesses with the tax

relief they deserve.”

According to a recent study by the Tax Foundation, New York ranks 4th in

property taxes among the states, with a median property tax bill of $3,755 in 2009.1

This proposed property tax cap is a central part of Anthony Brindisi’s plan to make

the Mohawk Valley more business-friendly and bring quality jobs to the region.

“For too long, the Mohawk Valley has seen businesses move away, taking

with them opportunities for our families,” Brindisi said. “A property tax cap will help

turn things around and bring good-paying jobs to the region.”

“It’s a good sign that the Governor, Assembly and Senate have put politics

aside and reached an agreement on this issue,” Brindisi said. “In the Assembly I will

work with anyone—Democrat or Republican—to get results and move the Mohawk

Valley’s economy forward.”