Senator Maziarz is pleased to learn that the New York State Public Service Commission recently adopted a three-year rate plan for National Grid electric and natural gas that will reduce rates for upstate operations, with customers expecting to see lower bills next month. The significant savings to customers comes largely from the expiration of a $190 million surcharge called the competitive transition charge. The continued necessity of this charge was an issue first raised by Senator Maziarz at a hearing three years ago.

In 2010 the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee held a hearing related to National Grid’s expenditures and proposed rate increases. During that hearing, Senator Maziarz expressed great concern over the extended inclusion of the Competitive Transition Charge, a surcharge that is paid by ratepayers to help companies transition from a non-competitive to a competitive marketplace. Since the hearing, Senator Maziarz has worked cooperatively with National Grid toward reducing this charge. Through the adopted plan, this charge will expire, which will lead to great savings for residents.

“This surcharge was of concern to me three years ago and was something that I have been working with National Grid to eliminate for some time now,” said Senator Maziarz, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. “The elimination of this surcharge produces a large savings for ratepayers, and I commend National Grid.”

SENATOR MAZIARZ: PROPOSED TV TAX IS DEAD ON ARRIVAL
In February, Senator Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn) introduced a bill (S.3827) that would impose a 5% excise tax on satellite television services—a tax that would be passed on directly to subscribers.
Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane), Chairman of the New York State Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, today said that this downstate senator’s attempt to levy a new tax on customers of DIRECTV, DISH Network, and similar services is dead on arrival.
“This is a blatant attempt to enrich the state’s coffers by taking more money out of consumers’ wallets,” Senator Maziarz said. “I will use all my influence as Energy and Telecommunications Chairman to make sure the TV tax is defeated.”
“The cost of living and doing business here in New York is high enough,” Senator Maziarz added. “We are fighting hard in the budget process to avoid any new taxes and fees, and then this proposal comes along and flies in the face of that goal. I think the sponsor is in for a rude awakening if he thinks this bill is going to be seriously considered.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to maintain a better than two-to-one favorability rating
(64-30 percent), although it is down from 67-29 percent last month and 72-21 percent in December 2012, and is now at its lowest level since he’s been governor, according to a new Siena College Research Institute poll of New York voters released today. By a 61-35 percent margin (down from 65-30 percent last month), voters support the state’s new gun law, and by a 56-40 percent margin voters oppose repealing the law.

Voters strongly support increasing the minimum wage, creating a system of public campaign financing for the state, enacting the governor’s reproductive health act, and decriminalizing the public possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana.

“With a better than two-to-one favorability rating that would be the envy of most elected officials or politicians, Andrew Cuomo continues to be very popular with New York voters. However, for the third consecutive month, Cuomo has seen a small drop in his favorability rating, and is now viewed favorably by fewer voters than at any time since he’s been governor,” said Siena pollster Steven Greenberg. “Similarly, the governor’s job performance rating and his ‘re-elect’ number have also fallen by high single digits over the last couple of months.”
Read more…

SENATE APPROVES LEGISLATION TO RECONFIGURE NIAGARA WINE TRAILS

Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) announced that the New York State Senate today unanimously approved legislation he sponsored (S.1095) to expand and rename the Niagara Wine Trail and Niagara Escarpment Wine Trail. In effect, the wine trails would be enlarged to encompass all of Orleans County and Western Monroe County, bringing more wineries than ever into the popular wine trails’ network.

“The wine industry in the greater Niagara Region is growing so fast that our laws designating the various wine trails must keep up with the pace of growth,” Senator Maziarz said. “Agritourism is an important part of the regional economy and the state must act now to support it. Signage, literature, and other tourism promotion materials need to be updated to reflect the wineries in existence now and the wineries soon to come. The passage of this bill will make travel to these wineries easier and safer for visitors.”

Under the bill, all of Route 104 between the Ferry Avenue/Route 62 intersection in Niagara Falls and Route 390 in Monroe County would be known as “Niagara Wine Trail Ridge.” All of Route 18 between Route 104 in Lewiston and Route 390 in Monroe County would be known as “Niagara Wine Trail Lake.”

Seventeen wineries are on the trails now and more are under development. The money to pay for additional signage on an expanded trail system has already been obtained by the wineries through a 2011 Regional Economic Development Council award. Thus the expansion would entail no new cost to taxpayers.

“Partnering with businesses that are already working hard to create jobs and bring visitors to our region is a no-brainer,” Senator Maziarz added. “Bringing more wineries into the orbit of the Niagara Wine Trails will help boost awareness of this industry and support its future growth.

The Senate unanimously approved this wine trail expansion last year, but the Assembly failed to vote on the proposal. “I call upon the Assembly to approve this measure as soon as possible and stop ignoring one of the brightest areas of economic development in Western New York,” Senator Maziarz said. “There is simply no reason why the Assembly has not passed this, and hopefully they will move forward in a timely fashion. We have been waiting long enough.”

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched his salvo at the Seneca Nation with his announcement that the state might sanction a non-Indian casino in Niagara Falls, the speculation immediately ran rampant both by the media and many others that the golden road to the success of the plan might lead to the doors of Niagara Falls Redevelopment (NFR).

And for good reason: NFR owns or controls more than 100 acres of downtown land adjacent to the Seneca Niagara Casino and at the gateway to the city. In addition to the land, there is the qualifications of NFR’s Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Bergamo, to actually conceive and develop such a project.

For instance, in 1978, Bergamo was the Chief Operating Officer for Greyhound Exposition Services and Greyhound Exhibit Group, perhaps the premier trade show company in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Greyhound has more than 3,000 employees.

Bergamo is also a lawyer. His legal background includes overseeing numerous union negotiations which made him a frequent flyer to Las Vegas to settle contracts, and, at one time, working with former FBI Director Judge Louis Freeh as a trustee for a major union case that Bergamo, himself, settled.

The Federal Law Enforcement Foundation Board, founded and chaired by Bergamo is another interesting tie in, curiously enough. The foundation Bergamo started, which gives grants to injured officers and the families of fallen officers, has, ironically, among its long term board members, one of the most influential people in the casino industry. He is Paul Steelman, the world class architect with offices in Las Vegas, Macau and Vietnam. Steelman designed a major destination plan on the NFR-held property in Niagara Falls and obviously a casino entertainment complex could fit in precisely with the plan.

Bergamo is also the Managing Director of the Milstein Hotel Group. Among his duties was that he managed the Milford Plaza in Times Square where he led turnaround efforts until the property was sold in 2003. Bergamo also chaired the Audit Committee for Lone Star Steakhouse as a member of the Board of Directors where he was headquartered at the 300-restaurant chain’s New York City flagship restaurant Del Frisco’s.

With these kind of credentials and the land to boot, if there is to be a new casino in Niagara Falls, it seems not improbable that the front runner will be NFR and its CEO Anthony Bergamo.

by Mike Hudson (as first appeared in the Niagara Falls Reporter)

With a bond debt of approximately $5.5 million hanging over the city, and no direction from the Dyster Administration, the Niagara Falls City Council is moving to formulate a plan to address the lurking fiscal crisis.

At its upcoming March 4 meeting, the council is expected to present and approve a major resolution to deal with the uncertainty that draws the line on new spending and freezes all non-essential spending.

The move is needed, says the council majority, to rein in spending, cut the cost of government, and prepare for a potentially disastrous 2014.

The resolution, a copy of which was obtained by the Reporter, will require the council to act as a “control board” and impose a “freeze (on) all non-essential city services and related expenditures in an attempt to pay the $5.5 million bond debt until the Mayor enacts a suitable financial plan.”

The spending freeze, if passed by the majority on the council, will include, “effective immediately,” all “non-essential services such as consultants, engineering studies, training, conferences, travel, events, concerts and all meals (including the city council meals) and legal consultants.”

The controller will be directed to submit a monthly expenditure report to the City Council chairman and all requests to spend money shall be submitted to the council chairman for review.

“This freeze shall work to prevent the possibility of an unexpected tax increase mid-year along with layoffs and reduction of essential City services,” the resolution states.

Maziarz to PSC: Upstate will not pay to close Indian Point

Albany N.Y.- Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) drew a line in the sand today with the Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding its proposals to raise state-wide energy rates by nearly $1 billion, in filing formal comments with their office. This increase would plunder hydropower revenue from Western New York in its ongoing proceeding to evaluate contingency plans in the event of the closure of the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan New York.

The PSC began a process last November to examine contingency plans for replacing the 2,000 megawatts of generation produced at Indian Point, should the facility close. Consolidated Edison and the New York Power Authority(NYPA) were asked to submit a document to the Commission which was delivered on February 1st, which specified certain projects and costs necessary to accomplish this goal. The transmission projects identified would cost a minimum of $811 million, costs which are proposed by NYPA and Con Ed to be recovered entirely by taxpayers. In a departure from past precedent, the money would be collected from ratepayers in every region of the state, not merely those in New York City and other parts of downstate New York who are receiving the benefits.

“Fixing our failing transmission infrastructure is a good thing, but upstate ratepayers who would receive zero benefit from the closure cannot be asked to foot any part of the bill,” said Senator George Maziarz, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. “Attempting to make ratepayers in economically distressed areas of upstate New York pay for upgrades that benefit Manhattan is terrible public policy. It’s Robin Hood, but in reverse.”

In addition to new proposals for downstate transmission partially paid for by upstate ratepayers, the joint proposal from Consolidated Edison and NYPA also contemplates power purchase agreements (PPA’s) being offered to private generators in the Hudson Valley and greater capital region in order to compensate for the possible loss of Indian Point. These PPA’s would be financed by NYPA, and the Authority’s investment recovered through additional charges to ratepayers.

“365 days a year, and 24 hours a day profit infused water tumbles over Niagara Falls and becomes some of the most inexpensive electricity in the United States,” said Maziarz “Niagara is where NYPA makes its money, and Western New York money simply cannot be used to subsidize downstate generators. If NYPA wants to help generators with its Niagara profits, than it should look no further than Somerset and Dunkirk. Investments in repowering these plants along with upstate transmission upgrades are a smart investment that will create jobs while using our region’s resources where they belong.”

Senate Republicans Call on Governor To Remove
Utility Tax Surcharge Extension From Executive Budget

Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos and members of the Senate Republican Conference were joined today by leaders of statewide business organizations to urge Governor Cuomo to remove the proposed extension of the utility tax surcharge from his Executive Budget. The 18-a surcharge, which has increased utility bills for every ratepayer in the state, is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2014. The Governor’s proposed five-year extension would cost businesses and consumers a total of almost $3 billion.

Senate Republicans were joined at a Capitol news conference by representatives of the Business Council of New York State, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, the New York Farm Bureau and AARP. Other businesses groups, including Unshackle Upstate and the Long Island Association, also support the Senate’s call to end the utility tax surcharge as scheduled.

“Allowing this tax surcharge to expire will make New York more economically competitive, reduce costs on businesses, help expand our economy, and create new private sector jobs,” Senator Skelos said. “This is a key element of our job creation agenda for this year. New Yorkers already pay some of the highest utility rates in the country and this is an opportunity to give them a break and bring those bills down.”

“Every day, ratepayers from across our state call my office and ask ‘Why is my utility bill so high?’” said Senator George Maziarz, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications. “The answer to that question is the numerous taxes and fees imposed on businesses and consumers alike, the worst of which is the 18-a assessment. This tax hits every single business and residence in our state, and increases the cost of energy by $509 million a year. I, along with my colleagues in the Republican conference voted against this tax when it was imposed and we simply will not stand by silently as the can is kicked down the road for five more years. When this tax was adopted by Senate Democrats we were promised, and in turn we promised our constituents, that it would be temporary. It’s long past time that we kept that promise.”

The proposed extension would cost energy ratepayers $509 million for this year and the following four years, as well as $255 million in state fiscal year (SFY) 2018-19. The total impact of the extension would be $2.8 billion, with most of the burden falling on small and large businesses, particularly manufacturers that use large amounts of energy. Senate Republicans said the Governor should use the 21-day amendment process to remove the proposed extension from his budget plan. The actual impact on the SFY 2013-14 budget of ending the surcharge would be $236 million, a small amount in the context of a $136.5 billion budget.

According to figures from National Grid, the impact of the energy tax extension on a typical large business is estimated at $30,000 per year. The added cost on a typical small business would be about $540 per year and average household utility bills would increase by $55 per year.

The energy tax surcharge was imposed in 2009 by Senate Democrats and Governor Paterson on electric, gas, steam and non-municipal water services. Every Senate Republican voted against it. The surcharge was intended to be a temporary measure that would expire on March 31, 2014. However, the 2013-14 Executive Budget proposes to extend the tax surcharge for another five years.

Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. said:
“New York’s electric rates are heavily burdened by hidden taxes. A report by Public Policy Institute finds more than one-quarter of electric bills in New York are from state and local taxes. Extending the so-called ‘Section 18-a’ fee will cost all energy consumers in the state at total of $2.8 billion. We urge the governor to reconsider and use the 21-day amendments process to amend or remove Part N. In 2009, when this temporary fee was imposed, there was an explicit promise to the people of the state that this tax would not be permanent.”

Mike Durant, NFIB/NY State Director said: “Energy costs consistently rank as a top concern for small business, and assessments such as 18-a have been a significant cost driver in energy. Repealing this onerous tax has been a priority for NFIB and we are pleased to join with the Senate Republican Conference in calling for this tax extension to be removed from the Executive Budget proposal.”

Brian Sampson, Executive Director of Unshackle Upstate, said: “New York businesses and homeowners continue to pay some of the nation’s highest energy costs, and state-imposed taxes such as the 18-a tax are a big part of those high energy costs. We have called for the repeal of this regressive, onerous and anti-economic growth energy tax since it was first enacted, and we strongly oppose any extension beyond its planned 2014 expiration.”

Kevin Law, President & CEO of the Long Island Association, said: “The 18-a energy tax adds to the cost of doing business on Long Island and makes our region and entire state less competitive, and thus its proposed extension in the budget should be eliminated.”

Karyn Burns, Vice President for Communications & Government Relations of MACNY, The Manufacturers Association of Central New York, stated, “As we began our path together in achieving fiscal stability here in New York State three years ago, Governor Cuomo remained committed to not raising taxes on businesses and residents, and in turn the State’s manufacturing and business community worked to keep business going, their doors open, products manufactured and job retained and added. Like anything worth doing, it was tough, but it was done. An extension of the 18-a tax would be a huge step back for these hard working businesses. Those very same companies had paid the temporary tax with the belief it would sunset, and planned their business and expansion plans according to this promise from Albany. To continue this tax will most certainly compromise the business community’s ability to do everything they need to on this continued path towards economic recovery. I urge Governor Cuomo to remove this proposal from his budget proposal, and thank the Senate Republicans on their commitment to do so.”

Julie Suarez, New York Farm Bureau Public Policy Director, said: “At a time when the prices of feed and fuel are sky high for our members, it is imperative for the state to allow the Article 18-a assessment step down to go forward to help contain rising production costs. Profit margins are thin at best for many of New York’s family farms, and keeping the 2% “tax” in place is not the business friendly approach that will help New York’s farms be more competitive. We appreciate the efforts of Senator Skelos and his conference to push for the rollback to continue as scheduled.”

Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP New York, said: “AARP commends the Senate for their leadership in working to make utility bills more affordable for all New Yorkers. This is a crucial kitchen table issue, as state residents pay some of the highest utility costs in the nation, a status that takes an unduly harsh toll on the elderly and those on fixed incomes. This move, coupled with AARP’s push to help consumers have a stronger voice during rate hikes, is surely needed to help New Yorkers better afford the basic necessity of their utilities.”

Section 18-a of the Public Service Law authorizes an assessment on utility bills to fund the operations of energy-related agencies and authorities such as the Department of Public Service and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. In 2009, Governor Paterson and Senate Democrats permanently increased the assessment from one-third of a percent to one percent, and added an additional one-percent surcharge, making for a total five-fold increase on all ratepayers. The additional revenue raised from the increase is deposited in the state’s general fund. Under the 2009 law, the increase is scheduled to be reduced to one percent in SFY 2014-15.
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Siena College Poll:
NY and Southern Tier Voters Nearly Evenly Divided on
Fracking; Opponents More Passionate than Supporters
Cuomo’s Standing with Voters Slips a Little Overall, While
Remaining Strong; More Dramatic Drop with Reps & Upstaters
2/3 Support New Gun Law; Majority: It Was Not Rushed Through

Loudonville, NY. New Yorkers remain divided on the issue of hydrofracking according to a new Siena College Research Institute poll of New York voters released today. When asked initially, voters statewide are evenly divided with 40 percent in support of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) allowing fracking to move forward in parts of upstate and 40 percent opposed (40-44 percent last month0. After reviewing arguments in support and opposition to fracking and limitations on fracking that DEC could impose, 45 percent of voters statewide support fracking and 42 percent are opposed (50-46 percent among voters in the Southern Tier).

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s rating slipped a little with voters. Currently, 67 percent of voters have a favorable
view of Cuomo and 29 percent view him unfavorably (down from 71-24 percent last month). His 58-41 percent
job performance rating is down slightly from 60-38 percent. And 56 percent of voters are prepared to re-elect
him, while 36 percent would prefer someone else (down from 60-32 percent). By a better than two-to-one margin (65-30 percent) voters support the state’s new gun law, with 56 percent saying the law was needed and the right thing to do, while 42 percent say it was rushed through without adequate consideration.
“With DEC expected to soon issue a decision on whether or not to allow fracking to move forward, voters across the state remain evenly divided, and voters in the Southern Tier – the area that makes up the majority of the Marcellus Shale in New York – are also evenly divided on the issue,” said Siena pollster Steven Greenberg

Republican disapproval of New York’s tough new gun-control law could be taking a toll on Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose all-time high 74 – 13 percent job approval rating last month drops to a still-solid 59 – 28 percent in a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Voters in non-gun homes approve of the governor 68 – 19 percent. Voters in households with a gun disapprove 50 – 40 percent.

Republican approval of the governor, 68 – 18 percent in a survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University on December 12, just two days before the Newtown massacre, is a split 44 – 43 percent today.

Democratic support, 82 – 9 percent in December, is 74 – 14 percent today. Approval by independent voters drops from 70 – 12 percent to 54 – 32 percent.

Women approve of Gov. Cuomo 64 – 23 percent, down from 73 – 12 percent. Men approve 54 – 33 percent, down from 74 – 14 percent.

The gun-control package signed by Gov. Cuomo this month goes “too far’ in restricting gun owners’ rights, 34 percent of all voters, including 59 percent of Republicans, say. The gun- control measure does not go far enough in protecting public safety, 30 percent of all voters, including 17 percent of Republicans, say. The measure is “about right,” 30 percent of all voters, including 20 percent of Republicans, say.

“With approval ratings that consistently topped 70 percent, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo had the political capital to spend when he set out to pass the toughest gun control laws in the nation,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “It is possible that the gun law cost him some of that political capital, but a 2-1 job approval rating still makes him the envy of most governors.”

“Is Gov. Cuomo’s honeymoon with Republicans over, or is this just a spat that can be patched up in the months ahead?’ Carroll asked. “Cuomo lost some Republican support after the 2011 same-sex marriage bill, but he got it back.”

By a 4-1 margin, New York State voters support the new requirement that mental health professionals report patients whom they believe are a threat to themselves or others so police can confiscate any weapons the patient owns: