SERINO VOWS TO STAND UP FOR COMMUNITY WHEN DECLARED REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR STATE SENATE

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY—Following the decision by the Dutchess County Republican Party to nominate NYS Senator Sue Serino as their candidate for the 41^st Senate District, Senator Serino vowed to continue to stand up and fight to ensure that the voice of the Hudson Valley is heard in Albany.

Senator Sue Serino said, “I have been incredibly honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve my neighbors as their State Senator. Now, more than ever—with the very real threat of NYC dominated, one-party control looming in Albany—we need independent leaders who are dedicated to ensuring that our community has a voice in the process. I have made it my mission to deliver for our local community and together we can move our community forward and ensure that the values and issues that matter most to Hudson Valley residents are put first.”

Dutchess County Republican Chairman Michael McCormack said, “Sue has a heart of gold and a fighter’s passion for doing what’s right for our local community. She has always put our needs first and has successfully fought for the things that matter most to us, like lower taxes and expanded economic development opportunities. She has brought unprecedented awareness to the Lyme Disease and heroin epidemics that are hurting families across the region, and she has stood up against corruption and proposals that would negatively impact our area. She is the best person to continue representing us, and I am honored to confirm her designation as our candidate for the 41^st Senate District.”

Steve Caswell, Chair of the East Fishkill Republican Committee nominated Senator Serino at the Convention which was held in Poughkeepsie. Caswell said, “Sue Serino has contributed much to our communities; as an entrepreneur, small business owner and then in public service. She knows our community and does what is right to make it better. She’s not in this for a paycheck, she’s in it for us, and it shows in all that she has accomplished for our area—from securing funding for Lyme Disease, to grant funding for local community projects, she’s fighting for the things that matter. For as long as I have known her, Sue has always stood up for what’s right and it is my honor and privilege to officially nominate her as the Republican candidate for the 41^st Senate District.”

 Betsy Maas, Chair of the Union Vale Republican Committee seconded the nomination of Senator Serino, Maas said, “Senator Serino has what it takes to make a difference and to improve quality of life for everyone here in our local community. Her genuine passion for putting people first has been clear throughout her time in office and her work ethic and integrity are second to none. I am proud to help nominate Senator Sue Serino because she has a proven record of effectively advocating for our local community and I know that she will continue to fight tirelessly to ensure that our community can provide the kinds of opportunity our residents need to thrive.”

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We have all seen the famous ‘I Love NY’ trademark that has been a staple in souvenir stalls across the state since the late 1970s. The ad campaign played a role in bolstering the image of New York City at a time when its economy was lagging and its streets were crime ridden. The goal? Boost morale and tourism to save the City and hope that the positive impact had a ripple effect throughout the state. The logo’s legacy is cemented in the minds not only of New Yorkers, but of tourists from around the world who cannot help but think of it when they think “New York.”

Today, however, with the state more likely to top the list of highest taxed states in the nation instead of fastest growing, the headlines and sentiment have experienced a notable shift from “I Love NY” to “I Leave NY.”

It is clear that New York has an image problem and it is going to take more than flashy television ads touting our ‘open for business’ mantra to fix it. It is time for the state to shift its priorities from flashy gimmicks and contests to a reinvestment in what matters —the individuals and families that make New York great. That’s why with the state budget process underway, I am fighting for policies that invest in in our workforce, our communities, our schools, and the issues that matter to Hudson Valley residents.

Last week, the Senate passed a one-house budget resolution aimed at bolstering affordability, opportunity and security. That plan rejected the $1 billion in new taxes in fees that were proposed by the governor, while investing in the programs that put money back in the pockets of taxpayers and into programs that will open doors for residents.

Our budget proposal shuts down the disastrously under-performing programs like Start-Up NY and redirects the $44.5 million spent on advertising it to support more effective economic development initiatives.

Not only did we reject the executive’s proposed cap on the STAR property tax savings program that many New York residents depend on, we proposed making small businesses eligible for it. Doing so could save New York small businesses an estimated $275 million that they can use to reinvest in their businesses and their employees.

As Aging Committee chair, I know how important it is to ensure that our seniors have access to the resources they need to retire locally. That is why we proposed freezing school property taxes at current levels for many seniors and completely eliminate their school property taxes over the next 10 years. We also proposed increasing the private pension and retirement income exclusion from $20,000 to $40,000 for single taxpayers and to $80,000 for married taxpayers, over three years. This is the first increase since 1981, and represents a change that could potentially save NY retirees approximately $275 million.

High quality schools and post-secondary institutions play a critical role in attracting residents to our communities, and our proposal includes significant funding for education. It provides a record amount of education aid and more than doubles the foundation aid included in the governor’s proposal. Importantly, it also funds critical school safety measures that will help districts provide improved security technology, school resource officers and considers ways to improve the ratio between students and critically necessary mental health professionals. It also restores the potentially devastating cut to a program that helps to provide financial aid for students who attend area private colleges — institutions that not only employ a significant number of our local residents, but are essential to our regional economy.

The Senate’s proposal also includes unprecedented funding to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic and $1.2 million to combat the spread of Lyme and tick-borne diseases, as well as language I personally fought to have included that would represent the first major step toward addressing insurance coverage for those diagnosed with tick-borne diseases.

If we want to make New York a place where people want to live instead of leave, these are the kinds of initiatives that the state needs to be making a priority. A final state budget is expected to be voted on by April 1, and these are the types of initiatives that I will be fighting for to help move our community, and our state, forward.

Sue Serino, R-Hyde Park, represents the 41st state Senate District. She is chair of the Senate Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases and of the Senate Standing Committee on Aging.

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