30°
To the editor:
New York is losing a generation.
The crushing tax burden and corrupt government in this state is suffocating our seniors, and driving out millennials by the thousands. We have a crisis of addiction on our hands that is killing thousands from heroin and opioid overdoses.
Albany’s standard process of forcing through legislation at midnight — with no time to review — is simply unacceptable. These are the same types of tactics that brought us the so-called “SAFE” Act and “ObamaCare.”
Remember Nancy Pelosi’s infamous words, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” We deserve better…
The 2016 legislative session ended after an all-night marathon at 5 a.m. on a Saturday in July. While there were some important pieces of legislation that passed around 2 a.m., like pension forfeiture for corrupt politicians and a package of bills to combat the heroin crisis, these bills were voted on without any time for the public (or even the legislators) to read them!
As it is, the pension forfeiture amendment was cobbled together at the last minute, leaving only a watered-down version of the ethics reform that over 97 percent of New Yorkers continue to demand. We deserve better!
As I continue my campaign and go door to door to speak with voters of the 94th Assembly District, it is clear these “reforms” leave much to be desired when it comes to enacting real change.
Perhaps the worst part is average people know exactly how to fix the majority of these problems, and yet, year after year politicians in Albany refuse to do anything about it.
Let’s make our tax code flatter and fairer so our middle class can thrive. Let’s enact term limits and end the cycle of career politicians gathering too much power.
Let’s legalize ride sharing services so we can reduce drunk driving and save lives. Let’s support our veterans, first responders and all others who put their lives on the line to protect ours.
Kevin Byrne
Click here to follow Daily Voice Putnam and receive free news updates.
