ASSEMBLYMAN FITZPATRICK - EAGER TO HELP CHRIS COX

ASSEMBLYMAN FITZPATRICK BACKS CHRIS COX FOR CONGRESS
Cox Honored by Endorsement from “The Most Fiscally Responsible Member of the State Legislature”

SMITHTOWN, NY — Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R,I,C - Smithtown), honored by the Conservative Party of New York State as Albany’s most conservative legislator, has today announced his endorsement of Chris Cox (R), Congressional candidate for New York’s First District.

“I’m eager to help Chris Cox fight for Long Island on the fiscal issues that plague our nation as they plague New York State,” Fitzpatrick declared.

“It’s time that the voters of Suffolk County know that Tim Bishop votes more in line with Nancy Pelosi than even Charlie Rangel.  After eight years in the Assembly, I already know what damage New York Democrats have done to the taxpayers of Long Island,” said the lawmaker.  “I know that Chris will fight a federal government run amok so Washington will not continue to send us deeper into debt and mortgage the future of our children and grandchildren.  Chris Cox is a true conservative and, with the help of Republicans, principled Conservatives and Tea Party supporters, is poised to win in November.”

Fitzpatrick is well recognized for his consistent conservative stands.  Called the “most fiscally responsible member of the State Legislature" by Governor George Pataki, the Assemblyman is currently seeking re-election for a fifth term.  Fitzpatrick was the very first recipient of the Legislator of the Year award three years ago when the Conservative Party of New York State began to so honor the most conservative legislator.  He was awarded the same honor the following year.

In addition to a landmark pension reform initiative, Fitzpatrick was the prime sponsor of the Property Taxpayer Protection Act, proposing a specific cap on New York’s property tax.  The issue is now an integral part of the debate regarding solutions to New York’s fiscal crisis and overwhelming tax burdens.  His fight for a tax cap helped bring the issue front and center.  It is now a central part of the platforms of the candidates for Governor.

Assemblyman Fitzpatrick serves as the ranking minority member on the Assembly Housing Committee and holds memberships on the Assembly Ways & Means, Local Governments, Small Business and Higher Education committees.  He is an active member of the New York State American-Irish Legislators Society.  He served for fifteen years on the Town Board of his home township of Smithtown before going to Albany.

“We need more statesmen like Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick in the State Capitol,” Chris said.  “He hasn’t forgotten the people who have elected him to office.  Mike has been pushing for legislation that focuses on their needs and the interests, and fighting the reckless spending that threatens not only current taxpayers but also future generations.  He’s a leader who understands the similarities of the dysfunction in Albany and Washington, D.C.  I am grateful for his endorsement, and after I’m elected, I look forward to working with him to take government out of the pockets of New Yorkers and bring reform to our state’s capital.”

As a steadfast, fiscal conservative and resident of Westhampton, Chris will put Long Island taxpayers first, fighting to limit spending by Congress and increase government transparency.  Like Fitzpatrick, he will work to expose wasteful practices such as earmarking, one of the most obvious examples of a legislative practice that invites corruption and adds significantly to the federal deficit.  In Washington, Chris will work to completely ban these wasteful practices – with no exceptions or excuses – in order to make life more affordable for citizens.

Chris will also put more money back in the hands of American families and small businesses: They, and not government, are the creators of wealth and opportunity. He will refuse to support, and will fight against, the tax increases proposed by the White House and Congressional Democrats, as they will deprive small businesses and their workers of the means to save, invest and purchase.  In addition, Chris will advocate for legislation that restrains public sector growth, grows private sector jobs over government and makes American business more competitive.

While Chris places a high value in honoring the sanctity of public office, he sees that many of our members of Congress do not show that same respect for their service. Like Assemblyman Fitzpatrick, Chris will refuse to compromise his integrity for the self-interested, ‘business-as-usual’ practices so prevalent in government.  Instead, he will support full penalties for members who break the law or violate congressional ethics rules.  Americans should have trust in their representatives; Chris hopes to restore that trust.

Summer Enrichment In Smithtown

Smithtown Central School District’s Summer Explorations Program which is run through SCOPE is well under way. Students are reporting that they are having fun participating in many hands-on learning activities such as learning to catch fish, making magical balls disappear, cooking homemade Tiramisu, creating multimedia presentations and getting wet in water relay races. Approximately 600 students are enrolled in enriching experiences which include: American Girls, Cartooning Magic, Clay for Kids, Clowning Around with Magic, Computer Adventures, Cooking Around the World, Crazy Crafts, Creative Carpenters, Culinary Kids, Digital Storybooks, Dogs, Dogs, Dogs!, Edible Art, Fun with Web Design, Funtastic Fishing, Intro to Golf, Kid Detectives, Mad Scientist II, Math Madness, Model Building, Picture Books, Perfect Projects and Edible Crafts, Smithtown Survivor, Sports Club, Summer Art Adventures and Instrumental Music Lessons.  

EPA Seeks Small Business Input on Proposed Stormwater Rule

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses and municipalities to nominate representatives to provide input on a proposed stormwater rule. The rule would strengthen the national stormwater program under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and focus on stormwater discharges from developed sites, such as subdivisions, roadways, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings or shopping centers.

Selected participants would provide input to a Small Business Advocacy Review panel, which will consist of officials from EPA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Office of Management and Budget. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, EPA is establishing this panel because the rule could have a significant economic impact on small entities. The representatives will provide input on how EPA can minimize the potential burden on small entities of the proposed regulation. Nominations must be received by August 4, 2010.

More information about participating in the panel: http://www.epa.gov/sbrefa/stormwater.htm

More information about the rulemaking: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/rulemaking

Altschuler Warns Taxpayers of Largest Tax Hikes in U.S. History

Randy Altschuler, the conservative Republican candidate for Congress (NY-1), today warned Suffolk County taxpayers to "prepare to be mugged." Altschuler was referring to the expected inaction by Congressional Democrats that will allow the 2001 and 2003 GOP tax cuts to lapse at the end of 2010. Altschuler, a successful self-made businessman, also called on Congressman Tim Bishop to "have the courage to stand-up for taxpayers everywhere and call for the renewal of this legislation."

Randy Altschuler said, "Suffolk County taxpayers should prepare to be mugged! At the end of this year the largest tax hikes in American history will take place. That's when the 2001 and 2003 GOP tax cuts are set to expire and the inaction of Tim Bishop, Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in Congress will lead to an extra $1 trillion being lifted from the bank accounts of taxpaying American.

"Americans will see across the board hikes in every personal income tax bracket. Those individuals currently in the 10% tax bracket will see a jump to 15% and those in the 35% tax bracket will see that number jump to 39.6%. Similar jumps will take place in all other brackets.

"But that isn't all; the death tax will jump from zero to a 55% death tax rate on estates over $1 million. The capital gains tax will rise from 15% to 20% in 2011 and jump an additional 3.8% in 2013. Add on top of these, taxes linked to Obamacare and hikes on employer taxes as well as the alternative minimum tax and 2011 will be a bad year for taxpaying Americans.

"New York is already one of the highest tax states in the nation and this tax hike is sure to be the 'straw that breaks the camel's back' for many cash strapped New Yorkers. In our current economic crisis Tim Bishop should have the courage to stand up for taxpayers everywhere and call on Nancy Pelosi to renew the 2001 and 2003 GOP tax cuts."

Help Is Coming For The Unemployed

WASHINGTON -- Today, Congressman Tim Bishop voted to extend unemployment benefits for Americans who have lost their jobs and had difficulty finding work in the Bush recession.  The legislation extends unemployment insurance (UI) through November 30, 2010 and retroactively restores benefits to people who may have started losing them as early as the end of May—some after just 26 weeks. 

After weeks of delay by obstructionist Congressional Republicans, the House voted 272-152 for final passage of the bill.  The President is expected to sign this crucial lifeline into law as quickly as possible.

 “Relief for Americans who have lost their job through no fault of their own injects much-needed cash into local economies,” said Congressman Bishop, noting that a recent study by Moody's Analytics found that every dollar spent by the government on benefits for the unemployed produces an overall return of $1.61 for the economy.  “The recession is an economic emergency and Americans struggling to find work deserve help as we recover.”

On July 1st, the House passed the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act under simple majority rules, 270-153.  Senate Republicans filibustered the bill, demanding that the $34 billion cost of emergency relief for jobless Americans be offset in the budget.  The Senate approved an amended extension Wednesday, sending it back to the House for today’s vote.  Nearly 2.5 million Americans had lost their benefits before the extension was approved.

 In recent weeks, Republican leaders have embraced a permanent extension of the Bush tax cuts that disproportionately benefit wealthy Americans without offsetting the cost, adding trillions to the deficit over ten years.  “Claiming it's fiscally responsible to hold up unemployment extension while supporting a new round of tax cuts for the wealthy is playing politics with the needs of the American people,” Bishop said.