REFORM, REFORM, REFORM

Sweeping ethics reform must also take on the legislative process...

These are tough decisions, but if we choose the status quo, the decisions down the road will be even tougher.

People have lost faith in state government. I’m quite certain that this is one sentiment we can all agree upon, and that’s understandable. Taxpayers are tired of being used as ATM machines, tired of having their opinions ignored, and tired of seeing politicians more beholden to special interests than their own constituencies.

We deserve a better future, and I’m fighting to ensure it’s a future we can be proud of.

It starts with reducing the influence of powerful special interests on the legislative process. It’s time to send a strong message to each and every one of them that their time is up. By placing a strict limit on all lobbyist campaign contributions, we can reduce the impact that money has on a legislator’s decision-making.

Yet, sweeping ethics reform must also take on the legislative process. Transparency through increased financial disclosure requirements will help shed light on conflicting interests. A strict term limit for all state legislators, including the governor, will help ensure that representatives are working on behalf of their constituents, not their pensions. An independent government watchdog will root out corruption, and a non-partisan redistricting commission will help ensure that every vote counts.

Reform shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Over the coming year, I will work with members of both parties to make sure it isn’t.

Fiscal Discipline
As we enter this year’s budget process, I will continue to call for much-needed, across-the-board spending cuts. With federal stimulus money drying up, this year’s budget will experience a historic revenue shortfall. To close the deficit, we need to identify areas of wasteful spending and work to find real tangible solutions, such as consolidating duplicative services and reducing legislative expenses. These are tough decisions, but if we choose the status quo, the decisions down the road will be even tougher - we will put vital services at risk, and taxpayers are going to be the ones who suffer as a result.

Developing our Economy
Nevertheless, New York state must make economic development a cornerstone of its plans. High taxes and onerous regulations contribute to a hostile and unfriendly business environment that makes it difficult for our state to compete. Through a mix of tax cuts and tax incentive programs, as well as low-cost financing and low-cost power for small and larger businesses, we can begin to turn the corner and put our economy back on track. That means improving programs like Industrial Development Agencies and Power for Jobs programs, which help create and retain good-paying jobs right here in Western New York.

A tele-town hall meeting is an innovative new event that will allow me to speak directly with thousands of residents, listening to their concerns and answering any questions they might have.

On Monday, March 1, 2010 at 7:30 p.m., Jane will host her third Tele-Town Hall Meeting to speak with thousands of local residents directly on what’s happening in and around the community and in state government.

A Tele-Town Hall Meeting is an innovative new event, which allows Jane to speak directly with thousands of residents, listening to their concerns, and answering any questions they might have.

The interactive Tele-Town Hall Meeting has been growing in popularity in recent years because it provides legislators the ability to reach tens of thousands of additional constituents than traditional town hall meetings.

The call-in number is (888) 886-6603, ext. 14036#

On February 16, Jane kicked off her second-annual community food drive. This drive will run through March 18. Donations can be dropped off at Corwin’s District Office and will be distributed to the Food Bank of WNY, which supplies food to local food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, day care centers, senior citizen programs and residential and day programs for handicapped youth and those undergoing drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

For more information, or to schedule a pick-up, contact Corwin’s district office at (716) 839-4691.