Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued the following statement today on the lack of cooperation and transparency in New York's budget process:
Last week, we started the annual Assembly Minority “Budget Countdown Clock” and, one week later, I remain discouraged that despite a lot of talk about inclusion and bipartisanship, this year’s budget negotiations have continued to resort to three New York City men in a room – from Harlem, Manhattan and Queens – and worse. In the past, the only opportunity to publicly vet the budget was during Joint Budget Conference Committees; yet, with one week remaining until this year’s budget deadline, they have not even been announced.
Without this opportunity to discuss the budget in a fair and open manner, the people of New York are left in the dark. For all those individuals and groups that have made the trek to Albany, who have taken the time to write a letter or e-mail, or who have called expressing their concerns, this is a slap in the face to them and to our democratic process.
My door is always open. As a public servant, I do not believe in working behind closed doors. I have had the pleasure to meet with many groups, not only from Western New York, but from across the entire state and to hear their concerns regarding this proposed budget and the closed-door process. I can tell you that people are upset, from Long Island to Buffalo. This is not the type of change they hoped for.
I believe very strongly that positive change can happen by taking that first step and while I encourage the legislative leaders to take that step into the daylight, I will also continue to serve the people of New York State with openness, transparency and accessibility. I will continue to do everything within my power to make sure your voices are heard in the State Capitol during this budget’s final negotiations and throughout this legislative session.
I'm sure Assemblyman Hawley
I'm sure Assemblyman Hawley won't ever kick a puppy nor refuse to take a picture with a veteran, either. Let's hear about the legislation he's sponsored to reduce the $70,000 a year salary and multi-million dollar assembly office budget he receives for a part-time job.
And as far as Assemblyman Hawley's vigorously self-promoting outreach efforts, where were you when this happened:
<b>Assemblyman Steve Hawley
Senator Michael Ranzenhofer
Congressman Christopher J. Lee
Public Meeting
<i> Wednesday, March 18th
1 PM to 3 PM</i>
Old Courthouse
in Legislative Conference Room
7 Main Street
Batavia</b>
A <i>'community outreach effort'</i> when most of their constituents are at work (mostly out-of-town). When <i>outreach</i> pretty much means a stand-up in front of cameras with a county legislator who works for Mike Ranz part-time.
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/steve-hawley-calls-study-spli…
Russ, Could you give us the
Russ,
Could you give us the names of any Dem. who also sponsered, or co-sponsered, the same legislaion?
As far as taking pictures with vetrans, Hawley is a vetran also, so what's wrong with it?
If your point is he tries to stay in the news, which one in Albany doesn't?
I'm just wondering how many
I'm just wondering how many Dem legislators have turned down their salaries or their staffs?
I bet all of them are sure to have their constituent gatherings in non-work hours, never put out a self-serving press release and are otherwise nothing but altruistic public servants. Saints. Every one of them.
Posted by John Roach about 4
<i>Posted by John Roach about 4 minutes ago
Russ,
Could you give us the names of any Dem. who also sponsered, or co-sponsered, the same legislaion?
As far as taking pictures with <b>vetrans,</b> Hawley is a <b>vetran</b> also, so what's wrong with it?</i>
"sponsored" "legislation" "veteran"
Before Assemblyman Hawley releases a self-serving statement that condemns the budget process, he should offer to help the taxpayer by refunding his Assembly salary and office budget. Assemblyman Hawley highlighted this, John. He shouldn't need you to defend him with an insulting re-direct. Howard, was I the first one on this thread to specify party allegiance?
But, given that it was your reflexive partisan response, here we are.
Russ, "insulting re-direct"?
Russ,
"insulting re-direct"? "Reflexive partisan respsonse"?How?
Why did you fail to answer the questions?
As for partisan, are you still the Dem Election Chairman? Was your shot at Hawley honest or partisan in view of your party position?
I'm not sure how much more
I'm not sure how much more plainly I can say this:
Batavia City Council meets in the evenings when people are home from work.
Genesee County Legislature meets in the evenings when people are home from work.
Batavia School Board meets in the evening when people are home from work.
Parent/Teacher Organizations, Youth Football, YMCA, Church Councils, Boy Scout Councils meet in the evening when people are home from work.
And none of them make nearly the compensation (if any) of :
Our New York State Assemblyman, New York State Senator, or our Congressman who choose to advertise (using our New York State tax dollars) a two-hour window from 1-3 pm on a Wednesday as evidence of how much they care about hearing from us.
Russ, I note they are all
Russ,
I note they are all Republicans and your point is well made. I have made the same complaint in the past.
You just failed to mention that our US Senators, Democrats, do the same thing (an oversight for sure). You didn’t give us any names of Democrats who have evening meetings. Maybe you don’t know any, I don’t, but if you do, maybe you can let us know who they are?
I guess we can all get over the shock of learning a politician would seek publicity, but you attacked me as being “partisan” for pointing out they all do it, and then failed to prove your point.
You failed again to mention your role in the Democrat Party as a Committeeman and Election Chair. When you accuse somebody of being "partisan", that’s ok if you can back it up, but come clean yourself. You clearly have an agenda. Just admit it.
The NY State government is
The NY State government is broken. Has been broken and will continue to be broken until something is done constitutionally to repair the process. Three men in a room was not a morally correct way to handle the budget when we had a Republican Governor and a Republican Senate. It is still broken now that the Democrats are in control of all three branches.
Why do we even bother sending Assemblymen and Senators to Albany? We could just elect these three men statewide and save an awful lot of money. But then I suppose there wouldn't be as much fodder for all the partisan Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, and Liberals to whack each other about the neck and shoulders with.
Have a ball guys! But in the end, State Government is still three men in a room and broken.
Steve, Keep up the good work,
Steve, Keep up the good work, and thank you for your commitment. We the people voted you in for a good reason. You are only one person though. I think with the help from UPSTATE NY Taxpayers making their voices heard, you might be able to get some answers. Sad how the budget is based on NYC and the rest of us are not considered. There are lots of Dirty Dealings going on across the board. Maybe these guys from NYC have something to hide. Thats why they choose to do their scamming behind closed doors. We the taxpayer have had ENOUGH!! With GOD"S Help, and people like you representing us, will we get a fair shake in all of this, some day. As for those that choose to insult you, consider the sources. Nothing makes them happy.
Do You Want To See A Video That Breaks Down Some Statistics for you. Go to Youtube and Type in "The Second American Revolution" I tryed to post a blog about it, but it wsn't published?? Our taxes pay for the link you can call. This guy really lays it down for you!!
Wayne is right.
Wayne is right.