Assemblyman Mark Johns

Politics needs to play less of a part in democracy. Through a rash of recent indictments and arrests due to corruption and malfeasance, the people of New York need to be reminded that not all elected officials are in Albany to take advantage of the taxpayer.  Responsible lawmakers like me hold the public trust dear and believe it’s our duty to do what’s best for our communities.

Last year, I introduced the Sensible Opportunity for Legislative Equality (SOLE) Act.  This bill allows each legislator the opportunity to bring one piece of legislation to the floor for a vote regardless of party affiliation or committee ranking. This would benefit representatives from both sides of the aisle.

My colleagues in the Assembly Minority and I introduced bills for years that had no chance of coming to the floor for a vote unless we generated enough public outcry. But that gives the Majority the chance to adopt the legislation as its own and pass it so that we can make New York a better place. If the SOLE Act were in place, many of these ideas would have received immediate action. This, in turn, could have saved taxpayers untold amounts of money and provided substantial public protection initiatives.

Bringing tax relief, public safety and dignity to New York should not have to rely on “Three Men in a Room.”  There are many more men and women in the State Legislature who have great ideas that would help residents.

Some examples of Assembly Minority initiatives that were ultimately ratified by “Three Men in a Room” include:

• The two percent property tax cap;
• Middle-class tax cut;
• STAR (School Tax Relief) Rebate check program;
• Megan’s Law (sex offender registration requirement); and
• Jenna’s Law (elimination of parole for violent felony offenders).

Elected officials were chosen by their constituents for a reason. The political divide should not determine which legislation is brought forth for consideration for the betterment of New York.  The SOLE Act is a non-partisan and non-political bill that would help our community.  We should no longer have to sit through staged debate on predetermined legislation.

“For the third straight year, we were able to pass a reasonable and fair State Budget in a challenging economy – but my work is far from done.  More needs to be done to put New York State on the path to success.

I am pleased to extend the middle class income tax rate, keeping it at the lowest level in around 60 years – but we need to continue to reform New York by enacting meaningful mandate relief for our local municipalities and schools.  I was delighted to fund increases for our community’s schools and libraries, local roads and the EPIC program for our senior population. But we failed to restore cuts made to OPWDD programs and enact tax relief for all residents and businesses.

The state budget has me concerned because of questionable backdoor borrowing and sweeps and transfers from the state insurance fund into state’s general fund.  These actions may potentially mean future hardships for our community’s residents, taxpayers and businesses.

Moving forward, I will continue to fight for meaningful mandate relief for our localities and tax relief for all in the 135^th Assembly District.  We must also continue to cut the red tape and regulations which have hampered entrepreneurs and streamline and consolidate services.   I will also work to get more New Yorkers back to work and energize our economy to improve our community’s quality of life.

Assemblyman Mark Johns (R,C,I-Webster) recently joined Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua), members of the Assembly Minority Conference and business leaders from across New York State to reinforce their support for the elimination of the “18-a energy tax” from the 2013-2014 State Budget.  The finalized but included a deal which will phase the tax out over the next few years.

“We need to make New York State more business-friendly and getting rid of hidden taxes and fees like the 18-a assessment is one way to do that,” said Assemblyman Johns.  “This once ‘temporary measure’ has evolved into a proposal which will force New Yorkers to endure higher energy costs and add $2.5 billion onto consumer energy bills over the next five years.”

The “18-a energy tax” was scheduled to expire this year, saving consumers more than $200 million – a savings that will not be seen if the tax is extended.  Extending the tax would cost consumers approximately $236 million in 2013 and $2.8 billion over the next six years.

Since the extension of the 18-a assessment was announced in the Executive Budget, a coalition of 30 chambers and associations statewide have come together to engage their members and legislators to end this tax extension.  For a complete list of businesses, groups and other legislators who support the removal of this hidden tax from the state budget, visit (http://bit.ly/15xTbHN).

Assemblyman Mark Johns (R,C,I-Webster) recently attended a press conference in Albany comprised of bipartisan lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate to propose tuition reductions for servicemen and women attending SUNY and CUNY schools who are facing the suspension of their tuition assistance from the military due to sequester-mandated cuts.

“Many young men and women in our community join the armed forces to protect our nation and deserve our full support and nothing less,” said Assemblyman Johns.  “I am proud to stand with this bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to show our troops that New York should step up and offer tuition assistance because it seems that our colleagues in Washington have abandoned our heroes.”

The proposal would cover active-duty and reserve personnel who are currently enrolled in SUNY and CUNY schools and using the military tuition assistance program. The state would provide tuition reductions that would match the suspended assistance and would continue until the military reinstates the federal assistance or until the student graduates.

Assemblyman Mark Johns (R,C,I-Webster) today joined a bipartisan group of members of the New York State Assembly and Senate, county, town and village highway superintendents and other local leaders to call for an increase in state support for local roads and bridges. Highway superintendents from across the state are in Albany today for the “2013 Grassroots Advocacy Campaign for Local Roads and Bridges.”

The group is urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders to increase the amount of funding the state provides for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs). The program provides the bulk of state aid to counties and towns for the maintenance and improvement of local roads and bridges.

“An increase in CHIPs funding would drastically increase the improvement and maintenance of roads and bridges throughout the 135th Assembly District,” said Johns. “It is a smart investment that would create local jobs and enhance our community’s quality of life.”

At today’s press conference, legislators noted that CHIPs funding has not changed since 2008. The governor has proposed $361.1 million in CHIPs funding in the 2013-2014 State Budget – the same as last year. Legislators and highway officials are calling for an increase of $100 million in funding for this year’s budget. They note local roads and bridges account for 87 percent of the roads, 52 percent of the bridges and 48 percent of the vehicle mileage logged in New York State. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli called 32% of New York’s local bridges deficient and 40% of local roads fair or poor, and getting worse.

Johns, along with 58 other members of the assembly and 11 state senators, signed a recent letter to the governor, legislative leaders and top Cuomo administration officials which reads:

“We all believe an improved infrastructure is vital to advance and foster economic development and job creation. However, we also believe that investment and commitment must be made not just at the state level, but at the local level as well. We have continually emphasized working together and partnering to solve major challenges in our state. We believe this is an opportunity and a responsibility we have to partner with our local communities by pledging our support to share our increased transportation and infrastructure investment with our local governments.”

Legislators today also noted that while the current State Budget included $1.6 billion for the NY Works infrastructure improvement initiative, none of that money has been allocated to local roads and bridges. Gov. Cuomo also called for a $300 million increase in NY Works funding in his proposed 2013-2014 State Budget. Johns and his colleagues are advocating for at least $100 million of that increase to be allocated directly to municipalities for local roads and bridges.

The State Legislature is scheduled to adopt its respective one-house budget resolutions and convene a series of joint, bipartisan budget conference committees over the next few weeks. The public negotiations are aimed at reaching final agreements on the 2013-2014 State Budget before the start of New York’s new fiscal year on April 1.

Assemblyman Mark Johns (R,C,I-Webster) volunteered to answer calls at the 17th annual Lollypop Farm Telethon on Saturday, March 2 at Eastview Mall. All proceeds raised will be used to help provide food, shelter and medical care for homeless and abused animals throughout the Greater Rochester region.

“I am proud to announce that for the third straight year, I will be helping Lollypop Farm so that the Humane Society can continue to help our community’s pet population,” said Johns. “As much as animals benefit from us, we are greatly rewarded by their unconditional love and exuberance. I wish Lollypop Farm the best of luck during this year’s fundraising drive.”

Lollypop Farm exceeded its campaign goal, raising more than $240,000 during this year’s telethon. Assemblyman Johns has volunteered for the telethon for the past three years.

Assemblyman Mark Johns (R,C,I-Webster) today welcomed Gov. Cuomo to the Kilbourn Hall at Eastman Theatre in Rochester for his presentation on this year’s proposed budget.
“We need to pass a smart, responsible budget that cuts wasteful spending and brings long-overdue unfunded mandate relief to our local municipalities and schools,” said Johns. “The governor’s trip to our region today exemplifies his commitment to finding solutions to our local problems concerning jobs and education, and providing much-needed relief for our towns and schools.”

“New York State has diverse regions with unique challenges. I was happy to greet the governor at Eastman Theatre today and keep the conversation of rebuilding upstate open and alive. For example, the state awarded $525,000 to API Technologies in Perinton so the company can expand and create more local jobs.

“As we finalize the state budget, I will continue to advocate for streamlining and consolidating state agencies, eliminating abuse and fraud and putting together an aggressive plan for economic development that will entice businesses to come to our community,” added Johns.

Assemblyman Johns and his staff encourage constituents with issues pertaining to the state budget to e-mail johnsm@assembly.state.ny.us or contact his district office in Fairport

Assemblyman Mark Johns (R,C,I-Webster) today announced that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has reopened the lift bridge on Route 250 over the Erie Canal in Fairport. NYSDOT had closed the bridge for repairs for the last six weeks.

“The completion of work on the Fairport Lift Bridge ensures a safer and more secure roadway for all motorists who pass through the area,” said Assemblyman Johns. “I want to thank everyone who traveled through the area for their patience while State DOT crews performed these necessary repairs, which enhance our community’s quality of life.”

NYSDOT repaired the deteriorating steel components on the lift bridge in Fairport. The lift bridge was built a century ago and the repairs will extend its service life. For real-time travel information on this and other NYSDOT projects, Johns encourages drivers to call 511, visit www.511NY.org and/or follow @511NY-Rochester on Twitter.

As tax season approaches, Assemblyman Mark Johns (R,C,I-Webster) wishes to inform seniors of free tax-preparation services available throughout the district. Free tax-preparation services are being offered by the AARP at several area senior centers.

“In addition to the financial pressures presented by taxes, the time and stress associated with tax preparation can be a toll on many taxpayers who cannot afford to pay an accountant or a tax- preparation program,” said Johns. “For those in need of assistance, guidance and financial advice, programs offered by the AARP and the Empire Justice Center are timely resources for our area seniors and struggling working families.”

Seniors are encouraged to call the AARP to schedule an appointment at the following senior centers within the 135th Assembly district:

Penfield Senior Center, 1985 Baird Road
Wednesdays – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment – Call 340-8655

Perinton Community Center, 1350 Turk Hill Road
Thursday – 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment – Call 223-1617

East Rochester Senior Center, 120 West Commercial Street
Fridays – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. by appointment – Call 385-3643

Webster Recreation Center, 150 Chiyoda Drivet
Mondays and Wednesdays by appointment – Call 872-7103

Although the AARP tax-preparation program is targeted to assist seniors, all are welcome. Questions and inquiries can often be answered by the IRS or New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. For federal tax matters, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040, for forms 1-800-829-3676, or visit www.irs.gov. For New York State tax matters, call (518) 457-5181, for forms (518) 457-5431, or visit www.nystax.gov.