1. The County Budget and Minimizing Taxpayer Costs
2. Voter Choice and the County Charter Review Commission
3. Ethics in Government
4. Transparency in Government
5. Develop a Proactive Economic Development Strategy
1. The County Budget and Minimizing Taxpayer Costs
The County budget picture has steadily improved in recent years through the joint efforts of the County Executive and the Legislature. Nevertheless, cost pressures remain. The County Legislature must continue to look at operating and capital expenditures carefully, while always considering the impact of county budget decisions on the budgets of towns and villages in the county. For it is the combination of the county and local budgets, including school budgets, that the taxpayer sees when he looks at his property tax bill. Shifting an expense from the county level down to a town or village level does not save the taxpayer money.
On the other hand, there may be times where Albany County might be able to spend money on a collaborative project with local governments that results in cost savings for everyone through economies of scale. Another example might be sharing services between the County and local governments or the State, such as snow plowing, where everyone’s costs are reduced through cooperation.
If I am re-elected to the County Legislature, I will continue to seek out these opportunities for intergovernmental consideration, collaboration and coordination to minimize taxpayer costs while maintaining or enhancing government services.
2. Voter Choice and the County Charter Review Commission
This government belongs to the voters, and they have the right to decide the structure of the County Charter that was created to serve the people. During this campaign and after, I will advocate for a public vote on all of the originally proposed County Charter Review Commission revisions, unlike the many incumbents in the County Legislature who have voted against voter choice on several of the most significant changes proposed by the County Charter Review Commission.
3. Ethics in Government
If I am re-elected, I will work with the County Executive and the Legislature to implement an Ethics policy based on best practices. We must address the public perception that government is not working for them, but rather the special interests who buy influence through campaign contributions.
4. Transparency in Government
Just as with Ethics reform, I pledge to work with other like-minded legislators and the County Executive to develop a policy and implementation strategy to put in place a model Transparency Program for Albany County. We have made progress, especially in the last two years, but more can be done.
5. Develop a Proactive Economic Development Strategy Smart investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy development and critical environmental assets can not only save the County and other local jurisdictions on operating costs, but also lay the foundation for a sustainable economy built to move forward on the strength of all the private and public investment that has already been made in the Green Economy. As a community, we must acknowledge the science of global climate change and invest for a sustainable future in recognition of the changing investment priorities that will come as the local, national and global economy address the imperative to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce man made greenhouse gas emissions.
Not only will I work to encourage smart investment in County and municipal infrastructure to achieve these benefits, but I will use my experience in the innovation economy to develop both Public-Public and Public-Private partnerships that further progress in our community towards sustainable economic development.