Guest Voice of Nicholas Vaugh

Guest voice of  Nicholas Vaugh, who by accounts of people we talk with is a going to be a candidate for the 118th Assembly District next year.

“Rubber Stamp” Addie Jenne Russell bad for North Country & New York

Legislative Column by Ogdensburg City Councilor Nicholas J. Vaugh

Currently Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties are experiencing skyrocketing unemployment rates of 11.2% and 11.4% respectively.

It is baffling that in these extraordinary economic times Addie Russell could support a budget that includes $7 billion in new taxes, $9 billion in new spending, $235 million in new taxes on health insurance, and a 3 year income tax surcharge on small business owners.

Daily, we hear news of devastating layoffs - such as the cuts at Alcoa and Corning – these are mere symptoms of the expanding number of businesses and taxpayers forced to leave the North Country and our state due to high taxes and a overall anti-business economic environment.igher taxes and massive spending increases are the prescription for fiscal disaster during these tough economic times. We need to create and retain jobs. Addie’s voting record and lack of strong leadership is making it even more difficult to live and work in New York.

Relying on tax hikes to close the state's budget shortfall is not the answer. Holding the line on soaring taxes, while ensuring a quality education for our children, by rooting out waste and getting our fair share is essential. This is not a question of our state lacking revenue: it's a case of our state's leaders lacking the political courage to make the long overdue changes that taxpayers and small businesses have been demanding. We cannot continue to force taxpayers to bear the burden of State government’s historical financial mismanagement.

Instead, Addie Russell has taken the easy way out by supporting this budget, ensuring our state will continue leading the nation in higher taxes and that the North Country will keep on paying the price. Most troubling, this budget supported by Addie Russell will allow state government to dig its greedy hand even further into the taxpayer's pocket. These additional taxes are punitive and send the wrong message to hardworking individuals and small business owners throughout the North Country and New York State.

This budget will mean higher taxes and shows that for all the talk of 'change,' Albany is still dysfunctional. We need an Assembly representative who will fight for the residents of the North Country. Someone who knows that New York State government has to rip up the credit cards and stop spending money the state does not have. We need a representative who will fight to cut our taxes and create an economic environment that lets businesses and families thrive. We need an Assembly representative who will be a strong advocate for our North Country and ensure our district is treated fairly and is never overlooked.

Unfortunately for the time being, we are stuck with Addie Russell, a mere rubber stamp for Albany and New York City political bosses. The North Country deserves better.