Contact: (845) 323-9099

FRANK SPARACO: “WHERE’S THE BUDGET?”

Rockland County small businessman says state budget now 76 days late as Assemblyman Zebrowski has driven NY to brink of government shutdown

VALLEY COTTAGE, NY— Frank Sparaco (R-Valley Cottage), local small businessman and 94^th Assembly District candidate, today blasted Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, Jr. (D-New City) for bringing New York to the brink of a cataclysmic government shutdown due to his inability to pass a state budget.

This is the 76^th day without a state budget in effect.  In the meantime, the legislature has been forced to pass weekly budget extenders to keep government running, the most recent of which threatened to close down state government.

“I think I speak for all Rockland County residents when I ask Assemblyman Zebrowski, ‘where’s the budget?” said Sparaco, the owner of Pops Vending in Valley Cottage.

“Ken Zebrowski is a member of the Assembly Democrat Majority and should be pushing his colleagues to quit stalling and start working to pass a budget,” said Sparaco.  “If Zebrowski has any pull in the Assembly, what’s he waiting for – the state police to put a closed for business sign on the Thruway entrance? There’s just four scheduled days left in the 2010 legislative session and we still don’t have a budget.”

“I’m a small businessman and I can tell you this is no way to run a business let alone state government…unless your plan is to run it into the ground,” said Sparaco.

“So far, the only thing Assemblyman Zebrowski has done is ask voters to send him back to Albany for a job not done.  Ken Zebrowski’s going to have to do an awful lot of creative resume padding between now and November,” said Sparaco.

The 94^th Assembly District includes Clarkstown, Haverstraw, and Ramapo.

###

Contact: (845) 323-9099

Statement from 94^th Assembly District Candidate

Frank Sparaco (R-Valley Cottage)

ASSEMBLYMAN ZEBROWSKI’S REAL RECORD = FAIL

Rockland County small businessman Frank Sparaco says “serial tax hiker” Zebrowski

“never met a tax he didn’t want to raise;” ineffective in fighting Albany gridlock

VALLEY COTTAGE, NY— “Ken Zebrowski, Jr. has some nerve asking Rockland County voters to send him back to Albany when all he’s ever sent us are the bills for his tax hikes and taxpayer-funded spending sprees.”

“New York is facing bankruptcy because Assemblyman Zebrowski is a serial tax hiker who never met a tax he didn’t want to raise.”

“Last year, Zebrowski voted for a state budget that eliminated STAR property tax rebate checks for seniors and middle class families. That budget contained $8.2 billion in new taxes and increased government spending by 10 percent – which why New York is facing a $9 billion deficit.”

“Flash forward to today and the current state budget is more than two months late with no end in sight for passage.  And what’s Junior Zebrowski doing to get a budget passed? Nothing. Just sitting and waiting for the next opportunity to raise our taxes and add more debt onto the public’s credit card.”

“Our state is about to go belly-up because Junior Zebrowski is totally incapable of doing his top job – passing an on-time, fiscally responsible budget that doesn’t raise taxes or borrowing.”

“I’m a small businessman and I can tell you this is no way to run a business let alone state government…unless your endgame is to run it into the ground.”

“Forget party politics. Given Zebrowski’s failed record, if the Democratic Party was smart, they’d be asking for his resignation tonight, not his re-enlistment.”

“Junior Zebrowksi will say what he wants tonight, but when it comes to the votes that truly matter like helping the hard-working residents of Rockland County find a job and lower their tax bills, his real taxpayer record speaks volumes. It says: fail.”

The 94^th Assembly District includes Clarkstown, Haverstraw, and Ramapo.

###

VALLEY COTTAGE, NY— Frank Sparaco (R-Valley Cottage), local small businessman and 94^th Assembly District candidate, today blasted Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, Jr. (D-New City) for failing to pass a state budget to keep state parks open including Harriman State Park, High Tor State Park and Rockland Lake State Park.

 The Paterson Administration is closing 41 state parks and 14 historic sites due to the inability of the state legislature to pass the 2010-11 New York State budget — which is now 47 days late.  Sparaco noted that as a member of the Assembly Democrat Majority, Zebrowski should allegedly have influence with his fellow Democrats to save the parks, but instead has done nothing to keep the parks open, end the gridlock and pass a budget.

 “Spring has sprung but families won’t be enjoying a day at the park because Assemblyman Zebrowski is incapable of doing his top job – passing a state budget. It’s disgraceful,” said Sparaco, who noted that New York is facing bankruptcy because of years of overspending and overtaxing by Zebrowski.

 “Our park system is a jewel and one of the few areas of state spending enjoyed by all New Yorkers regardless of income. It’s inexcusable that families are being forced to suffer because the politicians in Albany won’t sit down and talk to each other to pass a fiscally responsible budget.  Let’s not close our parks and destroy our natural legacy that so many New Yorkers have fought so hard to preserve,” said Sparaco.

 Sparaco noted the state parks system is just the latest victim of the dysfunction in Albany caused by the lack of a budget.  Construction has stalled on some state projects as the paychecks of construction workers is held hostage while school districts have been left in the dark on the amount of state aid they’ll receive. 

 “Our parks are more than just an affordable place for families to spend a few hours; they are a promise to future generations that they too will inherit our rich, natural heritage. It should never have come to this and it wouldn’t have if Ken Zebrowski was more responsible with our tax dollars. This land is our land not the state’s to close. This land belongs to you and me,” concluded Sparaco.  

 The 94^th Assembly District includes Clarkstown, Haverstraw, and Ramapo. 

Sparaco Fundraiser

VALLEY COTTAGE, NY— Frank Sparaco (R-Valley Cottage), local small businessman and 94^th Assembly District candidate, blasted Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, Jr. (D-New City) for voting last night against legislation to pay for ongoing construction work to keep roads and bridges safe in Rockland County.

 The legislation, an amendment to the Governor’s state budget extender (A.10740), would have made payments that are due on a $28.9 million reconstruction and bridge replacement project on Route 59 in the Town of Clarskstown. The payments are being held up due to the late state budget — now 19 days overdue.  The Governor’s emergency spending bill failed to include any state funding for ongoing construction projects. 

 In response to the delay in payments, work on over a dozen construction projects across the state is on hold.  Additionally, some contractors have been forced to lay off workers due to insufficient funds to meet payrolls and are taking legal action against the state. The amendment Zebrowski voted against included $250 million in appropriations statewide for the payment of capital construction projects incurred from April 1 through April 25, 2010.

 “The number one job of state government is to protect the public and this money would have gone to fixing Route 59 in Clarkstown — ensuring a safe drive for Rockland County residents.  Keeping our roads and bridges safe is non-negotiable and should never be used as a political chess piece by our broken state government,” said Sparaco.

 “We can’t jeopardize the safety of Rockland County residents by putting these projects in limbo because the state legislature is too dysfunctional to pass a fiscally responsible, on-time budget,” said Sparaco. 

 “As a father and a small businessman, I’m disgusted how the state is holding hostage the paychecks of construction workers who did their job and have a reasonable expectation that they will get paid.  These construction workers have families with mouths to feed — this is no way to treat hard-working people.  Ken Zebrowksi ought to be ashamed of himself for turning his back on the people who actually work for a living. Enough is enough,” concluded Sparaco.  

 The 94^th Assembly District includes Clarkstown, Haverstraw, and Ramapo.

support for billions in new taxes is taking a bite out of your wallet

VALLEY COTTAGE, NY— Frank Sparaco, local small businessman, Rockland County Legislator (R-Valley Cottage) and 94^th Assembly District candidate, today noted that it’s Tax Day in America – the day when state and federal income tax filings are due, yet Rockland County taxpayers can’t seem to get any relief due to the billions in new taxes passed by the politicians in Albany.

“What’s in your wallet this Tax Day? Probably a lot less money because of all the tax and fee hikes passed by our dysfunctional state legislature,” said Sparaco.

Last year, Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, Jr. (D-New City) voted for a state budget that raised taxes and fees by $8.2 billion and increased state spending by nearly 10 percent.  That budget eliminated STAR property tax rebate checks and hiked taxes and fees on health insurance, parks and recreation, home purchases, energy bills, auto insurance, DMV license plates, beer and wine sales, and SUNY tuition.

Two weeks ago, Zebrowski voted for an Assembly budget resolution that would add $2 billion in new borrowing and hike job-killing taxes by $342 million.  Meanwhile, the state budget is now two weeks overdue with no anticipated date for passage in sight.

“As a small businessman, I understand that high taxes hurt our economy, kill jobs and drive families from their homes.  On this Tax Day, thousands of Rockland County taxpayers want to know: where’s the tax relief?” said Sparaco, who is the owner of Pop’s Vending in Valley Cottage.

“Rockland County taxpayers can’t afford to keep paying more taxes and getting very little in return from their broken state government. We’re fed up and we’re not going to take it anymore.  As a husband and father, I don’t want my daughter to be saddled with paying for all the debt that our state has accumulated because it can’t be responsible with our hard-earned money. Enough is enough. Next year on Tax Day, I want to be talking about how we’re cutting taxes and spending not raising them” concluded Sparaco.

The 94^th Assembly District includes Clarkstown, Haverstraw, and Ramapo.

VALLEY COTTAGE, NY— Frank Sparaco, local small businessman, Rockland County Legislator (R-Valley Cottage) and 94^th Assembly District candidate, today blasted Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, Jr. (D-New City) for voting last night for an Assembly budget resolution that borrows $2 billion of taxpayer money and hikes job-killing taxes by $342 million. 

New Yorkers are already on the hook for $57 billion in state debt; $10 billion of that still remains from past borrowings to cover deficits over the years.  Last year, Zebrowski Jr. voted for a state budget that raised taxes and fees by $8.2 billion and increased state spending by nearly 10 percent. 

“Assemblyman Zebrowski, Jr. wants to charge $2 billion of our money on the public credit card and then stick us with $342 million in new taxes because he can’t control the urge to spend taxpayer dollars.  And who is going to pay for all this borrowing? Our children and grandchildren – they’re the ones who will suffer most from this generational theft,” said Sparaco.

“There are more than 800,000 New Yorkers who are out of work and we have some of the highest job-killing taxes in the nation.  We need a responsible budget that actually lowers taxes, helps create private sector jobs and only spends what we take in and not a penny more,” said Sparaco.

“As a small businessman, I know what it takes to create jobs and grow our economy. Taxing New Yorkers to death as Ken Zebrowski, Jr. has repeatedly done is not the answer to putting people back to work and turning our economy around.  Enough is enough.  No more new borrowing and no more new taxes,” said Sparaco.

“It’s time to cut-up Ken Zebrowski Jr.’s maxed-out taxpayer credit card because New Yorkers can’t afford any more of his shopping sprees,” concluded Sparaco.

VALLEY COTTAGE, NY— 94^th Assembly District candidate Frank Sparaco, a local small businessman and first-term Rockland County Legislator, today announced he and MTA Board Member Carl Wortendyke successfully secured an agreement with the MTA to reverse service cuts that would have adversely affected Rockland County residents.

After a March 4^th public hearing on the MTA cuts, Sparaco began intense negotiations with Rockland County MTA Board Member Carl Wortendyke, culminating in a decision reached last night to reverse the proposed service reductions to the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines.

“Rockland County taxpayers are outraged by the MTA service cuts and as a small businessman, I don’t blame them.  I am happy to report that the MTA has listened to our concerns and reversed the service cuts. This is a big victory for the overtaxed and overburdened Rockland County residents who depend on the MTA as a daily means of going to work,” said Sparaco.

“Rockland County taxpayers and businesses are still reeling from paying for the job-killing MTA Payroll Tax. They should never have been asked to pay more money for less service, especially when other areas serviced by the MTA were not facing as steep cuts. I am grateful to Chairman Walder and Mr. Wortendyke for negotiating with us in good faith and in seeing the wisdom in reversing course,” said Sparaco.

“Now that we’ve stopped this runaway train, we next must repeal the MTA payroll tax.  In the coming weeks and months, I will continue to fight to ensure that our state government is more responsive and more accountable with our tax dollars,” concluded Sparaco.

VALLEY COTTAGE, NY— 94^th Assembly District candidate Frank Sparaco, a local small businessman who runs a vending machine business, today voiced his opposition to a newly proposed “Soda Tax” on beverages and soft drinks.

As proposed by Governor Paterson, the Soda Tax means higher prices for consumers by adding a penny an ounce tax on the purchase of a soda or sports drink.  Consumers would have to pay an extra 12 cents a can ($1.44 for a 12-pack of soda) or 67 cents more for a two-liter bottle.

Sparaco noted that the Soda Tax would be on top of the new “Bigger, Better Bottle Bill” deposit tax which is costing consumers and businesses an extra 6.5 cents for each bottle of water.

“As one of the 160,000 New Yorkers who work in the soft drink industry, I don’t see how raising taxes yet again on business is going to create a single job. New Yorkers are already choking on too many taxes. If we’re forced to swallow this bitter bill we’re going to lose more jobs not gain them,” said Sparaco, the owner of Pops Vending in Valley Cottage.

“Our Nanny State Government should spend less time telling us what to drink and more time trimming the fat that’s larded up our state budget,” said Sparaco who is also a first-term Rockland County Legislator (R-Valley Cottage).

“A Soda Tax is no way to put some pop back into our economy.  This is one tax the state should can,” concluded Sparaco.

In Case You Missed It (ICYMI), here’s a new article from AOL News about the U.S. military’s crack down on the ‘legal highs’ of Salvia divinorum.

Frank Sparaco, local small businessman, Rockland County Legislator (R-Valley Cottage) and 94^th Assembly District candidate, was among the first lawmakers in the state to understand the threat to children posed by the LSD-like drug.  In June 2009, Sparaco sponsored local legislation to ban the sale of Salvia divinorum to Rockland County minors.

“Sally D” as it’s known in the drug world is a powerful psychoactive herb, which when smoked or chewed can produce hallucinogenic effects.

As an Assemblyman, Sparaco will fight to protect children from the dangers of this substance by prohibiting its sale to minors anywhere in New York State.

Sparaco is available for interviews on this issue by calling (845) 323-9099.

The complete AOL News article is linked above and pasted below:

AOL NEWS

Military Cracks Down on ‘Legal Highs’

By Sharon Weinberger

(Feb. 17) — It’s known as “spice,” “magic mint” and “Sally D.” Now, the psychoactive plant officially called Salvia divinorum is increasingly the target of military bans seeking to stop service members from using the legal drug.

Typically chewed or smoked, Salvia produces a “hallucinogenic high,” according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. As legislatures around the country debate how to deal with the increasingly popular party drug, the military is already moving to prohibit its use, with Air Force Special Operations Command becoming the latest to ban it.

Salvia, which produces highs similar to marijuana, has been growing in popularity and availability over the past few years in the United States and other countries. But unlike marijuana, there’s no U.S. federal ban on Salvia.

The military isn’t waiting for federal law, however. A number of bases and commands have explicitly banned Salvia, though in some cases, the orders are merely clarifying pre-existing military regulations that ban drug abuse — be it legal or illegal substances.

Military officials have also expressed concerns about Salvia’s ready availability around bases and the effect on military families. “It’s coming in flavors like bubble gum, green apple and grape,” Raymond Matthew, the Drug Demand Reduction Program manager for the 56th Fighter Wing, was quoted as saying in an Air Force news article. “It’s obvious those are not adult-age flavors and it is targeted at adolescents with the caveat that it’s something they can do that’s legal.”

One of the problems the military faces is that even if it bans Salvia, it doesn’t check for it in routine urine tests. One Web site selling Salvia even brags that military users of its product had “never reported a [sic] ill effect from a drug test … ”

Several lawmakers have supported federal legislation to ban Salvia, but academics have expressed concern that classifying Salvia as an illegal drug would make research on the substance harder.

“I typically recommend to policymakers and others that Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A should be regulated, but that they should not be made Schedule I compounds,” Bryan Roth, a pharmacology professor at the University of North Carolina’s Chapel Hill School of Medicine, told Thomson Reuters in an interview. “Placing Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A in Schedule I status would greatly hinder biomedical research into the potential utilities of Salvia divinorum, salvinorin A and various derivatives.”