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For Release: Immediately March 27, 2007
Contact: Jeff Pirro (518) 455-5981
FINCH: SMALL BUSINESSES ARE A LARGE PART
OF OUR ECONOMY
Legislation introduced today would ease burden on small businesses
Assemblyman
Gary D. Finch (R,C-Springport) today joined his Assembly Republican
colleagues to advance key amendments that would ease the burden on small
businesses. The first amendment would eliminate the Corporate Franchise
and Personal Income taxes and the second was the Small Business Relief
Act of 2007.
“As a small business owner, I can attest to the hoops
small businesses must jump through just to make it in New York. Many of
our proposals today were derived from information we received directly
from small business owners statewide,” said Finch. “This is smart, sound
legislation that the Assembly Majority should support.”
Finch and his Assembly Republican colleagues introduced
the Small Business Relief Act, which would provide incentives for
educational opportunities, tax credits to offset increases in energy
costs, lower tax rates and significantly reduce bureaucracy in state
economic programs.
The second amendment called for the elimination of the
Corporate Franchise Tax and Personal Income Tax for manufacturers,
saving manufacturers millions each year. Finch noted that New York used
to be a bulwark of manufacturing, and while 641,000 people are still
employed in manufacturing, that number is down significantly from
decades ago.
Assembly Democrats voted down both amendments. In
addition, Assembly Democrats held a bill in committee that would make it
easier for small businesses to provide health insurance for their
employees. This bill would have reduced health care costs for small
businesses by an estimated 15 percent.
“The Assembly Democrats need to get on board with us
when it comes to alleviating the suffocating burdens placed on
manufacturers and small businesses. There’s a reason we’ve been
experiencing an exodus of jobs from this state,” said Finch. “Common
sense should prevail, however those who protect the special interests
and benefit from the status quo are preventing us from helping small
business owners and manufacturers.”
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For Release: Immediately March 26, 2007
Contact: Jeff Pirro (518) 455-5981
FINCH: ‘BUDGET CLOCK’ COUNTS DOWN TO APRIL 1st
Renews call for passage of an on-time budget
Assemblyman Gary D.
Finch (R,C-Springport) joined members of the Assembly Republican
conference to announce they are using their symbolic ‘budget countdown
clock’ to urge state leaders to pass an on-time budget this year, as
they have done for the past two consecutive years.
“The ‘budget countdown clock’ is a symbolic reminder
that time is running out for us to pass a fiscally sound, on-time budget
and prevent our local governments and school districts from once more
being in limbo regarding how much state aid they will receive,” said
Finch. “It’s my hope the clock will encourage the Assembly Majority to
come to the negotiating table and work towards preventing another late
budget New Yorkers had come to expect prior to two years ago.”
According to Finch, the disagreement over the
governor’s health care cuts, property tax plan and backdoor tax increase
on businesses are hindering agreement on the budget. Finch also thinks
each of the budget proposals spends too much money.
“With April 1st less than seven days away, there’s not
much time left to settle our differences. We need to approach that date
with a sense of urgency,” said Finch. “I hope the one thing that hasn’t
changed since ‘Day One’, is our commitment to passing an on-time
budget.”
The Assemblyman is also calling for essential reforms
that will guarantee a sound fiscal plan is adopted by the state on or
before the deadline every year:
• Require two-year education funding
• Provide a plain language summary of the budget 48
hours prior to a vote;
• Put the previous year’s budget in place no later than
72 hours after the start of the new fiscal year to ensure an
on-time budget;
• Prohibit consideration of non-budget bills after
April 1 until the budget is adopted
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For Immediate Release
March 23, 2007
Contact (315) 255-3045
Finch Provides Assistance for
“Lending Library” Program

Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R-C, Springport) presents Cindy Smith
(center), Executive Director and Sara Blowers (right), Board
President of the Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes with member
initiative funding for their "Lending Library." The money will be
utilized to provide equipment and educational resources for Cayuga
County's 86 child care providers, to assist them in promoting early
education and learning skills for children in their care.
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For Immediate Release
March 23, 2007
Contact (315) 255-3045
Finch Provides
Assistance for Equipment & Repairs in Auburn

Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R-C, Springport) presented member
initiative funding to Auburn Police Chief Gary Giannotta (left) for
workstations and safety equipment; to Auburn Assistant Fire Chief
Mark Farrell (left center) for safety equipment; and to Mayor Tim
Lattimore (center) and City Manager Mark Palesh (right) for repairs
to fencing at the North Street Cemetery.
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LEGISLATIVE COLUMN FROM THE DESK OF ASSEMBLYMAN FINCH
FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 12, 2007
Local Food Pantries Need
Your Help
Nothing is more appreciated
than a donation to a charitable cause that helps neighbors. In
communities across upstate New York, people never hesitate to aid a
fellow citizen in need after a devastating house fire or flooded
neighborhood. In times of need, there is seldom a lack of helping
hands and donations, however, year-round assistance is just as
important to the general welfare of our community and many of these
organizations can use your help today.
The food pantries of upstate
New York have been helping to feed the poor and hungry in our
communities for many years. There are many different programs across
the region that work with businesses, private foundations and
government organizations to serve hungry and disadvantaged people.
These organizations work year round to help those in need and rely
on the support and generosity of the entire community including,
businesses, civic groups, religious organizations, schools, youth
groups, families and individuals.
A small donation from you and
your family can go a long way. Across Broome, Cayuga, Chenango,
Cortland and Tioga counties, food pantries are looking for donations
of simple every-day items to feed the needy. These organizations can
use your donation of items like peanut butter and jelly, instant
meals, canned vegetables, fruit and soup as well as pasta and rice.
In an effort to help, my office
will be accepting donations until March 30 to help stock
local pantries in time for the upcoming Easter holiday. I have setup
donation locations at my district offices at 69 South Street, Auburn
and 56 Main St, Owego. During regular business hours you can stop by
and donate your surplus food inventory to this cause, which will go
to local families in need. With your donation, we can help end
hunger!
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03-12-07

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