Unshackle Upstate Supports State Senate Reform Measures

ALBANY, NY (06/19/2009)(readMedia)-- Coalition calls on Senate to end session gridlock and continue the work of the people.

Unshackle Upstate today called upon all members of the New York State Senate to put aside their political differences and get back to the important work they were elected to do - clean up our state's fiscal mess and get our economy moving.

"New York state is on the brink of becoming a national embarrassment because of the way it treats its taxpayers and employers," said Brian Sampson, Executive Director of Unshackle Upstate, a coalition representing more than 45,000 employers and 1.5 million workers. "The people we elected to represent us must find a way to work together. Our coalition is not concerned with which party controls the Senate chamber, it is business economics issues that matter most and require legislative attention."

Unshackle Upstate believes the coup should be a wake-up call for whichever group ends up in the Senate Majority. The actions of the state Senate the first six months of this year were unacceptable to employers and individual taxpayers, and a change in philosophy must take place.

The coalition said that while it cares about getting its business economics issues addressed - not which party is in power - it does support rules changes that would make the state's legislative process more transparent to New York taxpayers. Unshackle Upstate stated unequivocally that true reform of the legislative process must include providing leadership positions to elected representatives from upstate so that the region and its needs can be adequately represented.

Unshackle Upstate believes the following Senate rule changes are a positive first step toward statewide legislative reform and must remain in place regardless of who has control of the Senate.

• The Temporary President (TP) of the Senate presides in the absence of the Lieutenant Governor. She/He is subject to a term limit of six years.
• If the TP does not preside, the Vice President Pro Tempore is the presiding officer, or may designate another to serve for her/him. Also subject to a six-year term limit.
• Committee Chairs and Rankers are term-limited to eight years.
• Proxy voting in committee is eliminated.
• Eliminates "aye without recommendation"; members must either vote nay or aye on a bill, unless they abstain due to a fiscal interest.
• All agendas and voting records will be published on the Senate web site; all committee meetings recorded and webcast. A plan will be put forward by January 1, 2010, to create NY-SPAN statewide broadcast of legislative proceedings similar to C-SPAN for the U.S. Congress.
• A non-sponsor amendment, if successful, will retain its place on the calendar for three days and then shall be taken up by the body for final passage, not returned to committee. Messages of Necessity shall only be permitted in cases of actual emergencies.
• A new motion for consideration is created. A sponsor may move to have her/his bill included on the next active list if a majority of members present and voting agree to the motion.
• A petition for consideration is also created, which allows a majority of the members elected to request a bill be sent to the floor. If successful, the bill shall be placed on the active list for the next session day. If within the last four days of session, it shall be immediately considered by the body if successful.
• District office allocations are based on the geographic area; larger districts will be allowed a satellite office(s) to meet the needs of their constituents.

Unshackle Upstate is encouraging the Assembly to introduce and pass legislation that reflects these same reform measures.

"We will continue to join our members and our coalition partners across the state to push for reform in state government," said Sampson. "We will acknowledge legislative members who support our agenda of responsible, smart and efficient government, and we will call out those who continue business as usual. We need the Senate - whoever ends up being in charge - to demonstrate a renewed commitment to taxpayers and employers."

Unshackle Upstate is committed to calling attention to the destructive policies, laws, taxes and spending that jeopardize the state's business environment. The coalition recently expanded its efforts to hold New York's elected leaders accountable to cut government spending, reduce the cost of doing business and provide relief to taxpayers. Since the beginning of this year, New Yorkers have been dealt a one-two punch with the passage of the Deficit Reduction Plan and an irresponsible state budget, which have further threatened the state's economic viability and hindered the ability of employers, individuals and families to survive in New York.

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The Unshackle Upstate coalition represents more than 45,000 employers who employ 1.5 million workers in every region of upstate. The coalition's website www.unshackleupstate.com provides a direct way for citizens to send a message to elected officials in Albany.

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