Governor Paterson Marks the End of Historically Productive Legislative Session

Press Release

GOVERNOR PATERSON MARKS THE END OF HISTORICALLY PRODUCTIVE LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Governor Ushers in New Era of Productivity in Albany with Passage of 26 Pieces of Critical Legislation

Governor's First 100 Days in Office Marked by Fiscal Responsibility, Legislative Successes and Restored Public Trust

Governor David A. Paterson concluded his first legislative session as chief executive with more than two dozen substantial agreements that will enhance the lives of New Yorkers. With the passage of 26 pieces of legislation that the Governor had identified as priorities, it marks one of the most productive legislative sessions in a generation. It also coincides with Governor Paterson's first 100 days in office, a term highlighted by the restoration of public trust following political upheaval and the passage of a responsible budget.

Prior to the conclusion of the legislative session this week, Governor Paterson reached three-way agreements with the Senate and Assembly on 26 pieces of important legislation, including critical reforms to protect homeowners from losing their homes as a result of the subprime loan crisis, and long sought-after reforms to the Brownfields laws which will encourage the clean-up and redevelopment of polluted sites, and save the state hundreds of millions of dollars. Additionally, agreement was reached on legislation which revokes the licenses of teachers convicted of sex crimes, expands healthcare benefits for 9/11 rescue workers, keeps unsafe toys off of shelves, strengthens identity theft laws, protects patients by banning mandatory overtime for nurses, and provides incentives for green building, among others.

"The residents of New York State should know that we are working here in Albany, as evidenced by the more than two dozen pieces of critical legislation that I identified as priorities and that were passed during this session," said Governor Paterson. "While I am proud of what we have accomplished in such a short time, I recognize that we still have more to do. New Yorkers are voting with their feet, leaving the Empire State, and we have the responsibility in Albany to make New York more affordable and keep our residents here. That is the foremost responsibility of my Administration as we move past the first100 days."

Governor Paterson will continue to urge passage of his plan to cap skyrocketing property taxes, which are the highest in the nation - a reality that is driving people to other states. In addition to his advocacy for real property tax reform that will help all New Yorkers, Governor Paterson has been candid about the severity of the state's fiscal situation, with an estimated budget gap of $21 billion over the next four years. He has worked tirelessly to set new and realistic expectations about spending in the future.

Agreements Reached by Category

Homeowner Protection: Governor Paterson pushed through critical legislation to address the foreclosure crisis which has affected tens of thousands of homeowners throughout the state. The legislation will ensure that loans are granted based on an applicants' ability to repay, that mortgage brokers adhere to certain duties of care and that loans comply with strict underwriting standards.

Health: Governor Paterson advanced a variety of bills that improved health care services for millions of New Yorkers. Among the agreements reached were the extension of healthcare benefits for 9/11 rescue workers, improved patient safety through better monitoring of doctors, ending mandatory overtime for nurses, and the expansion of care-at-home programs.

Environment: Governor Paterson's commitment to environmental protection was illustrated by agreements with the Legislature reforming the state's brownfields program, legislation to boost the construction of green buildings and the "net metering" bill, which encourages clean renewable energy. The state's net-metering laws were expanded to allow for greater renewable energy investment and job creation.

Economic Development/Job Creation: The Governor partnered with the Legislature to save 1,500 jobs at New York City Off-Track Betting and create 2,000 new jobs at a proposed gaming resort at Monticello Raceway in the Catskills.

Protecting Children: Governor Paterson successfully advocated a series of bills to ban teachers who are convicted of sex crimes from being in the classroom, to strengthen the laws against mistreatment in residential child care facilities, and to remove recalled toys from store shelves.

Public Safety: Governor Paterson brokered a number of agreements to protect New York's residents. Among them, laws helping to ensure that violent felons are appropriately supervised after their release from prison, enhancing the effectiveness of background checks conducted on persons purchasing firearms, improved safeguards against identity theft, and making it easier for victims of domestic violence to obtain orders of protection.

Labor: In the aftermath of the default of several self-insured workers compensation groups, the Governor took steps to protect employees by strengthening regulations for workers compensation self-insurance.

In his first few weeks in office, Governor Paterson passed a budget that was less than the proposed Executive budget and did it in just 22 days, while achieving across-the-board budget reductions from every state agency and restructuring his cabinet. Governor Paterson's unwavering focus on the fiscal realities facing New York State government, and New York residents, represented a departure from past years. That enacted budget still included a record $1.75 billion for education, funding for universal access to healthcare for children and $200 million for statewide affordable housing.

While focusing on the critical importance of fiscal restraint while traveling extensively and meeting face-to-face with New Yorkers throughout the State, Governor Paterson also demonstrated an unwavering support for Upstate New York. It began with the passage of a budget that included a historic $700 million Upstate Revitalization Fund and continued with his restructuring of the Empire State Development Corporation by appointing Bob Wilmers, head of Buffalo-based M&T bank, and a long-time advocate for Upstate, to head the agency.

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