Dear Governor Paterson, Speaker Silver, President Smith and Minority Leader Skelos:

With yesterday's resolution of the State Senate impasse, I am writing to urge the convening of a Legislative Leaders' meeting early next week to address the many unresolved public policy issues still pending before the State Legislature.

Beginning in May and continuing thereafter, on behalf of our Assembly Minority Conference, I had provided you a detailed listing of these issues. They included development of a comprehensive economic development strategy, enactment of a real property tax and state spending cap, implementation of the recommendations of the Suozzi Commission - including a circuit breaker and unfunded mandate relief - adoption of a statewide energy plan, honoring existing contracts with Qualified Empire Zone Enterprises, and strengthening Industrial Development Agencies.

Additionally, as troubling new details have emerged regarding a continued, stark decline in state revenues, our Leaders' meeting should include a frank discussion of New York's projected multi-billion dollar budget deficit, $54.5 billion debt, and specifically focus on the real solutions necessary to address these fiscal challenges. Failure to include and deal with these items would be a disservice to the New Yorkers we represent and seriously jeopardize our state's financial future.

I eagerly await your reply so we can schedule a public Legislative Leaders' meeting at the earliest possible convenience next week. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Brian M. Kolb
Assembly Minority Leader