In 2011, you spoke up, and the New York Legislature listened. Lawmakers delivered an on-time state budget, low-cost power, restoration in school aid, stronger rent-control regulations, and a property tax cap.

This year, I helped pass an on-time state budget – the first in five years – which closed New York’s $10 billion deficit without raising taxes or adding new borrowing.

A property tax cap and rent control will give working-class families an opportunity for affordable housing, encourage our younger residents to stay in our community, and minimize the need for seniors to make tough choices between rent, food or medications. The property tax cap must only be a starting point to end Albany’s spending addiction. We now must work to lower taxes in order to promote the fragile economic recovery and promote long-term prosperity.

To reduce property taxes and keep them low, lawmakers now must work on eliminating all unfunded mandates sent from Albany. Our teachers are working tirelessly with the resources they have in the classroom right now. They do not need additional expenses dictated by an unacceptable government in Albany.

Lawmakers still have a great deal of work ahead to make our state more affordable for its job creators and put 800,000 unemployed New Yorkers back to work. Albany must redouble its efforts at making New York State a more attractive place to conduct business by transforming government into a partner, instead of an inhibitor, for job creation.

While legislation to repeal the outrageous MTA payroll tax easily passed in the state Senate with the strong leadership of Senator Jack Martins, its vote was blocked in the Assembly. This legislation is a responsible measure to eliminate a job-killing tax that continues to crush our local small businesses, hospitals, schools and nonprofits. This legislation is about making our community stronger, and it’s vital we once again address it for the future economic prosperity of our area. It’s equally unfair that our community is subjected to this payroll tax when morning train services have been slashed and weekend services eliminated altogether.

I am eager to speak with you over the coming months to hear your feedback about this year’s productive and positive legislative session. Together, we can make next year’s legislative session as much of a success as 2011.