THE VIEW FROM ALBANY
Assemblyman George Latimer

RING IN THE NEW!

Our good wishes to you and your family for a healthy and Happy New Year 2012.

2012 begins a new New York State Legislative Session, with the Governor's State of the State Message and 2012-13 Budget submission both happening in January. We are all well aware of the difficult economic times we face, and the impact on our personal budgets, much less our governmental budgets. The State (as well as the County, our towns and cities, villages and school districts) faces a revenue shortfall, as trends continue to fall short of the hoped-for improvement in our national economy.

As we ring in the New Year, however, we cannot lose our way. We must meet these tough times with realistic policy responses, and not fall victim to fear and anger. We must resist the easy path of political ideology, foisting partisan philosophy instead of offering practical steps to address our difficulties. Some of these practical measures may be seen as "conservative", some as "liberal" - and some with no apparent philosophical attachment.

Other generations have dealt with economic recessions and worked through them; we will as well. Sacrifice is needed, from everyone. Some things that we want may be deferred, but we must not use the crisis to undermine our basic commitment as a society to helping those who need assistance. We must also require the basic commitment of everyone to make a contribution to that society.  We are individuals, seeking our own "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness", but we do so in the larger context of a community where we are interconnected economically, and therefore must live and care about others' lives, liberty and pursuit of happiness as well as our own.

Every day, I encounter people who are looking for work; people who are battling serious illness; people struggling to gain new skills to give themselves a shot at a better life; people who are trying hard to make ends meet. The government, and the people, of New York State must be a partner in working through these issues.

We recognize, in this new year above all, that we are all facing these problems together. My personal commitment to you is that I will work, every day, to fight for sound financial policies, and smart legislation that will protect all of us who call the Sound Shore our home. I intend to be available, every day, to hear your ideas and opinions, and to make a positive impact in Albany.

Indeed, it is the season to take stock of our world, and prepare, in the New Year, to make it a better one.

GEORGE LATIMER
Assemblyman - 91st A.D.
Committees: Environmental Conservation; Governmental Operations; Insurance; Labor; Local Governments; Transportation