My Appearance on the Glenn Beck Show

Last night I went on the Glenn Beck show to speak about New York's budget crisis and about Speaker Silver's failure to address the problem.

My Comments at the Press Conference Addressing New York's Budget Crisis

Cutting the budget by $427 million is a good start, but more needs to be done to control New York's spending.

TEDISCO: SPEAKER SILVER REFUSES TO ENACT TAX CAP, BUT PUSHES $2.6 BILLION IN NEW TAXES

today I characterized Speaker Sheldon Silver's failure to pass a real property tax cap during the Special Session - and instead attempt to ram through another $2.6 billion in tax hikes - as defying the will of a majority of New Yorkers and Governor David Paterson.

It's the height of irresponsibility for the Speaker to have again blocked a real property tax cap from becoming law. Not only did the Speaker refuse to act on the property tax cap, he tried to raise New York's already crushing tax burden by another $2.6 billion. That isn't just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, it's dropping anchor.

This behavior leads me to one of two conclusions: either Speaker Silver is unaware of New York's fiscal crisis - and what it will take to actually fix it - or, he is more concerned with advancing a political agenda than helping people. Regardless of the motivation, it is the overtaxed, overburdened, fed-up families across New York who will pay the price for his unwillingness to lead.

The Speaker and his entire Conference will have to answer for the tax slap they gave homeowners. The hollow arguments being advanced by the Speaker and his Conference to justify raising taxes by an additional $2.6 billion have gone from laughable to surreal. Everyone knows New York doesn't have a revenue problem - it has a spending problem. The reason New York faces a $6.4 billion budget deficit, a $54 billion debt and has seen thousands of our best and brightest leave is not because taxes are too low. It is because Albany is broken and hopelessly addicted to taxing, spending and borrowing.

Majority Leader Skelos guided the State Senate in enacting a property tax cap almost two weeks ago. Today was a perfect opportunity for the Assembly to follow suit. Yet, the Speaker thought it more important to keep the property tax cap from ever reaching the Assembly floor.

New York's Credit Cards Are Maxed Out

With a growing budget deficit, the time is now for New York State to tighten its belt. The best way to achieve this is to cut spending instead of raising taxes. The governor realizes this and I applaud him for being forward-thinking. I will stand shoulder to shoulder with the governor as we look to right New York's ship.

Families across the state are cutting back on spending. We, as a state, must do the same. Lawmakers must be problem-solvers and I urge my colleagues to take the measures needed to work on eliminating the budget deficit.

A Positive Way To Keep Kids Safe

Today, at the Glenville Police Station, I launched the 11th annual Safe Summer Program. Officers from nearly two dozen capital region police departments will be out issuing tickets to youngsters on their bikes throughout the summer. With the help of Stewart's, Friendly's and Ben and Jerry's, children spotted wearing a helmet will receive a ticket for free ice cream. We want to keep things positive and reward them for exhibiting safe behavior.
Bike riding is a fun activity, but without proper gear it could be dangerous. Helmets can help prevent serious injury and even save the lives of bike riders. The children there today were all wearing the right safety gear and were very happy to receive their coupons.

WILL SPEAKER SILVER LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC?

A massive convoy of hundreds of truckers made their voices heard today as they converged around the State Capitol. The truckers are fed up with New York's excessive gas prices and gas taxes. They were blowing their air horns in sheer frustration with the pain at the pump. I urge Speaker Sheldon Silver to hear the truckers' concerns and do something about fuel costs.

For months, my Assembly Republican colleagues and I have been calling on Speaker Silver to do something about rising fuel costs. The record prices are having a negative financial impact on truckers, motorists, businesses and consumers. Rising fuel costs have driven up the price of practically everything from a loaf of bread to a gallon of milk, along with nearly every other basic necessity that families depend on.

Our Conference sponsored legislation that would provide these truckers, and all motorists, with a much-needed summertime gas tax holiday. The measure would provide a savings of nearly 33-cents per gallon of gasoline and 31-cents per gallon of diesel fuel for motorists to help reduce the sticker shock too many drivers receive when they fill their tanks.

The question remains: will Speaker Silver and his Assembly Democrat Conference listen? New York can't afford their continued delays. Motorists and consumers deserve relief and they should get it before this session ends.

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER JIM TEDIS*COW*

June is National Dairy Month. In recognition of that, I and my Assembly Republican colleagues held our annual Dairy Day Reception. The event recognized New York's dairy farmers and the vital role they play in our state's economy. We brought them together to showcase their high-quality products. There was also an appearance by a calf who captured the attention of everyone who came. Even the dairy cow was there. As a non politician, he didn't "utter" a word.

This is a video of my introduction to the calf.