Score (171)

The following letter was sent to Senator Joe Bruno 28 Dec 2006. Please enter it in my ideas to the Governor.
Fred Lane
New York Tax Reform Organization, New York State Taxpayer Union affiliate.
12/28/2006
Dear Senator Bruno,
Whereas I can appreciate you asking the general population and/or private sector individuals for remedies to the current property tax malady, I must suggest that it is the job of our elected officials to remedy the issue. Few average citizens have any idea of economic/fiscal solutions for such a complex tasking.
Nevertheless, those of you in office that have asked for our vote have also implied by virtue of that request… that you have the expertise to address such matters.

Score (184)

Shut down Turning Stone and other casinos in New York. Prevent new casinos. Abolish the New York State Lottery.
Gambling costs more than raising taxes, even for those who NEVER gamble! Each compulsive gambler costs the economy between $14,006 and $22,077 per year If 2% become addicted, that’s $280 to $440 per year paid by every other citizen!
Trading jobs kills development
Most casinos attract 80% or more of their market from a 35-50 mile radius. Casinos absorb existing entertainment, restaurant and hotel business, and deplete dollars available to other retail businesses. That destroys other jobs in the trade area and eliminates their sales, employment and property tax contributions

Score (56)

Promote economic development that is in keeping with our scenic, rural landscape. Provide incentives to have a 'green' ring, to stop sprawl, at the 2 hour mark/75 mile mark around NYC'. Ensure there is always a transition from the 'city' to the 'country'. Provide additional incentives for Land Trusts to help individuals protect their lands in these critical, at risk, buffer areas. Ensure new development fits the local landscape -- whether it's resorts, casionos, or other development -- ensure it meets all aesthetic as well as environmental criteria to fit the community.
- Submitted by Sue

Score (63)

As Governor, you are expected to uphold the NY State Constitution which you will swear to.
The NY State Constitution prohibits GAMBLING, except for those amendments already in vogue.
Therefore, you must stop any move to allow CASINOS in New York State in violation of the Constitution, and the COURT decisions that pertain. Specifically, the Turning Stone Casino is in violation since it is not on aboriginal Indian territory.
What say you Governor Elect?
We will hold you accountable for any adverse decision you make in regard to this issue.
The Henderson Family, Ulster County.
- Submitted by Paul

Score (187)

Upstate New York - Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton - has major University centers and below-market housing prices. This would appear to be an attractive milieu to which industry can be attracted to a relatively inexpensive area with excellent human resource potential. Promotion of the area and tax breaks might reverse the trend of graduates moving out-of-state.
High speed train service between these cities would be an enormjous benefit well worth the capital investment!
- Submitted by Art Nudell on 11.18.06

Score (165)

New York is about to select a new system of voting. I have followed for four years the shoddy attempt to push the poorly worded Help America Vote Act upon American citizens.
To further improve New York Board of Election's strong regulations, we must outlaw Direct Recording Electronic machines,which have been shown by the National Institute of Science and Technology to be insecure beyond repair. We need to voting on a paper ballot with a suitable ballot marking device for the disabled. Counting preferably should be by citizens of two parties on the ballot, chosen if necessary by a 'jury duty' style selection. If any computerized counting is done, the program code MUST be open to public review, preferably written by public employees, and owned by the public. Central computerized counting should not be permitted, because it is easily manipulated.

Score (165)

There is nothing more important than preserving what is left of the Catskills.
Although casinos bring some jobs, the benefit is outweighed by the costs, literally and metaphorically.
This kind of enterprise will end the respite that visitors seek, and create great environmental damage.
It is outrageous to attempt to pay back Indians by losing our way of life.
Please prevent casinos from the Catskills. You will go down in history for such bravery and wisdom.
- Submitted by Joy Bacon on 12.26.06

Score (66)

For Sullivan County, Bethel Woods is an example of healthy development. As opposed to the casinos idea---which will be a drain on the county. Overwhelmingly, people here want to keep some of the rural nature of the county, while continuing to attract second-home buyers and tourism. (Casinos do not attract tourists; they attract gamblers who stay in the casinos.) I'd like to see the county grow even more as a center for the arts.
- Submitted by Tina Hazarian on 12.30.06

Score (176)

According to article 1, section 9 of the NY State Constitution commercial casino gambling is not allowed.
Casinos take money from the economy and provide mainly entry level jobs.
Casinos also cause many problems: divorce, bankruptcy, lost homes, etc.
Gov.-elect Spitzer I want to see an economy that supports the moral fiber of out state.
Sincerely,
Mrs. V. G. Schon
- Submitted by Virginia G. Schon on 12.29.06

Score (105)

I am very concerned that one of your first actions upon assuming office will apparently be to convert Mohawk Nation illegally to a form of "trusteeship" that will allow a tribal corporation not recognized by the legal and traditional council to build a casino and thereby violate international law and the US Constitution. Please reconsider this rash and consequential act before you take office.
- Submitted by Michael Novick on 12.29.06

Score (150)

At the December Hamilton County Federation of Sportmen Inc., several publicized appointments by your office were discussed. The Sportsmen's Club Inc. wishes to make it's voice heard as to possible upcoming decisions made by your office.
We sincerely hope that the Spitzer team will review the record of D.E.C. Region 5 Director Stuart A. Buchanan and Christopher A. LaCombe Esq.
The Hamilton County Association of Sportmen feel these two men have made a positive impact and have worked well with the many organizations to maintain the delicate balance of surviving (for the people who live here)and protecting and reviving (waters and trails)the Adirondacks.

Score (163)

I do not see full public funding of campaigns,aka Clean Money Clean Elections, in your list of priorities. Although all the items you list are very important, as long as candidates must raise private money, that money will trump the people's needs and will. Please put Clean Money Clean Elections high on your reforn agenda. The wellbeing of all New Yorkers depends on it.
- Submitted by irene miller on 11.23.06

Score (173)

I'm going to put this down as a wish, "Putting Parents Back in Children's Lives".
Being one who has gone through a terrible system and seeing where our society is going there is a terrible injustice going on, removing parents form children’s lives and our court system has become over burdened.
There was a bill written A330, the Shared Parenting Bill that has been kicked around for many years. By kicked around I mean change to make individuals happy during the years but now it’s nothing more then a ramble of words which certain individuals will be more then happy to point out and do nothing about.

Score (92)

Several groups of technical experts have developed what I
think are the makings of the
outline and guidelines for a
comprehensive election law in NY (or any other) State.
American voters are entirely
correct in not trusting our current "representatives" to
develop election structures, rules, and mechanisms that a
voter can rely on. The HAVA
fiasco has demonstrated that
we taxpayers cannot rely on
our legislatures to produce
an accurate and inexpensive
means by which we can hire or
replace the public employees
we want to do our government
work.
In my opinion, this is true
because letting legislators

Score (-14)

Give Judges the ability to set Illegal drug sentancing and pass a medical marijuana law. Furthermore, move toward medical tratment for Illegal drug users rether than criminal.
- Submitted by Peter Conklin on 12.29.06