FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 7, 2009
Remarks By Speaker Silver Regarding Governor's State-Of-The-State Address
State Capitol
Wednesday, January 7, 2009


2009 State-of-State, Assembly Chamber,
Photo Gallery
Speaker Silver, surrounded by members of the Assembly Majority, makes the point at his post State-of-the-State news conference that Gov. David Paterson’s speech was a "sobering yet uplifting message to the people." Silver promised that solutions for the state’s current economic problems wouldn’t fall disproportionately on New York’s working families. Silver was joined by (from left) Assemblymembers Charles Lavine, Kevin Cahill, Rory Lancman, Frank Skartados, Richard Gottfried, Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, Mark Schroeder and Catherine Nolan.
Speaker Silver (center), joins (from left) Rabbi Reuven Feinstein, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith on the rostrum of the Assembly chamber to welcome Governor Paterson, who gave his speech to a joint session of the Legislature. The historic event began with a prayer from Rabbi Feinstein.
Newly elected Assembly member Grace Meng (D-Queens), 22nd A.D., flanked by veteran Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn (D-Queens), 27th A.D., stands for the oath of office, which is taken by legislators at the beginning of their legislative term.
(From left) Ways and Means Committee Chairman Herman "Denny" Farrell Jr., Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari and Speaker Silver wait for the Senate to meet in their chamber for a joint session of the Legislature to hear the governor's annual message.
(From left) Assemblyman Ron Canestrari listens to recently retired Congressman Michael McNulty explain the federal government's 2008 economic stimulus initiatives. McNulty, who also served in the Assembly from 1983-1988, represented the Capital District in Washington D.C. for two decades.
To the applause of his colleagues, Silver makes his way through the chamber after he was re-elected Speaker of the Assembly, beginning his 15th year as the leader of the People's House.
New Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Queens), 34th A.D. joins his colleagues for the oath of office.
Assemblywoman Inez Barron (D-Brooklyn), 40th A.D., participates in the deliberations of the day, beginning her first term in the house.
Recently elected Assemblyman Neslon Castro (D-Bronx), 86th A.D. takes the oath of office with his fellow members of the Assembly.
Assemblyman Frank Skartados (D-Dutchess), 100th A.D., received the applause of the house when he was introduced along with the other five new members of the Assembly Majority.
Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Jefferson), 118th A.D., is accompanied by her husband James Russell and their son Aaron for her first day on the new job as an elected state official.
Speaker Silver and Senator Malcolm Smith celebrate the results of the Senate's leadership vote which changed that house's majority party for the first time in more than 40 years, making Smith the new Senate Majority Leader.
Governor Paterson addressed the state's economic difficulties, telling legislators, "We must sacrifice what we want today so that we can pay for what we need tomorrow. But this must be a shared sacrifice - we must all share the pain. And we should always keep our eyes on our brighter future."
The room empties as guests exit the chamber following the conclusion of the State-of-the-State, an event annually hosted by the Assembly.
Silver's post State-of-the-State news conference remarks noted that on the first day of the 232nd Session of the New York State Legislature, Governor David Paterson, New York State's first African American governor, delivered his first State of the State Address. The speaker also expressed his confidence in Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, who is the first African-American Senator to lead the Senate.

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Speaker Silver, surrounded by members of the Assembly Majority, makes the point at his post State-of-the-State news conference that Gov. David Paterson’s speech was a "sobering yet uplifting message to the people." Silver promised that solutions for the state’s current economic problems wouldn’t fall disproportionately on New York’s working families. Silver was joined by (from left) Assemblymembers Charles Lavine, Kevin Cahill, Rory Lancman, Frank Skartados, Richard Gottfried, Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, Mark Schroeder and Catherine Nolan.

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The Speaker, Governor Paterson and newly elected Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith discuss the challenges facing New York’s economy following the governor’s annual State-of-the-State speech at the Capitol.
Good afternoon and Happy New Year.

First, let me congratulate my friend and colleague, Senator Malcolm Smith, on his historic election as Majority Leader of the Senate.

Although there has been a lot of speculation, let me state for the record that I have great confidence in Senator Smith's ability to lead as the first Democratic Majority Leader of the State Senate since 1964.

Speaking for my colleagues in the Assembly Majority, I look forward to working with him and with the Senate Majority to address the serious challenges before our State and to usher in a new era of cooperation between the houses of this Legislature.

As for the State of the State Address, I - and my Assembly Majority colleagues - wholeheartedly congratulate the Governor on what was a sobering yet uplifting message to the People.

Like the Governor, we, too, are eagerly awaiting the inauguration of the new president.

It is important, however, that we acknowledge the history that was made in the People's House of the Legislature just a short time ago.

On this first day of this 232nd Session of the New York State Legislature, New York State's first African American governor delivered his first State of the State Address.

The Governor's speech was a truly momentous occasion and I am proud, as Speaker of the Assembly, to have been on the rostrum with him and with Majority Leader Smith.

Given the events of 2008, surely, one cannot help but be impressed by the leadership the Governor has displayed in the face of an economic calamity unparalleled in our lifetimes.

The Members of the Legislature and our staffs have been working - and continue to work - tirelessly on our analysis of the Governor's budget presentation and its impact on all of the segments that comprise New York State's population.

Poised as we are to commence with the legislative hearings on the Governor's proposal, there is no escaping the stark reality that balancing the budget will require tough cuts, tough choices, and tough sacrifices.

As I told you following the Governor's budget presentation, my Assembly colleagues and I are anxious to work with the Governor and with our colleagues in the Senate to address this challenging economy head on.

As we work to pass a fair, balanced and on-time budget, we will ensure that the burden of addressing the current crisis does not fall disproportionately on to the backs of New York's working families, but there is no way to sugar coat the situation.

Inevitably, there will be fewer resources for government programs that New Yorkers count on and some of the goals we have been working for and sponsoring as individual legislators, as a body, and as a state, will have to be delayed.

What will never change are the objectives that have defined the Assembly Majority and our leadership for more than a decade:

These are the core elements of the Democratic vision for New York State.

Now that the People have spoken, we Democrats have a rare opportunity to implement that vision and a tremendous obligation to carry through on our promises. How we respond will determine how we will be judged.

Yes, in this time of conflict and worldwide financial collapse, it is easy to see only the darkness that looms on our horizon when, in fact, we stand together on the doorstep of an incredible moment in American history.

In 13 days, the Governor and I - along with a number of New York leaders - will be carrying the hopes of all New Yorkers to our nation's capital for the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

So will begin a new era of hope, a new era of change, a new era of American government that is committed to giving working families and our least fortunate citizens the opportunity for a better and more dignified quality of life.

That is our calling. The Assembly stands ready to respond to it.