Senator lists goals for 1-day session

ALBANY — The state Senate will return to the Capitol on Friday for a one-day special session to address property taxes and other fiscal issues. One north country senator has plans of his own.

On Wed-nesday, Sen. Darrel J. Au-bertine, D-Cape Vincent, outlined his goals for the short session.

"It is important we go down there and address several major concerns for New Yorkers, especially all of us here in Central and Northern New York," Mr. Aubertine said in a written statement. "The governor has outlined a huge budget gap that the Legislature must help close, but we also have an opportunity to act finally on property tax relief and the looming crisis of home heating costs."

Mr. Aubertine advocates finding ways to trim budget expenses with minimal effect on state services and workers, but believes state aid to municipalities and school districts should remain at current levels as cuts could result in property tax increases at the local level. Spending efficiencies at all levels of government and avoidance of future fiscal crises are paramount, he said.

While Senate Republicans have made a statewide cap on property taxes and relief from certain state mandates their focal points, Mr. Aubertine also wants to implement a circuit breaker, which would peg property taxes to a percentage of the homeowner's income.

"School tax bills are too high and it's hurting the ability of many families to make ends meet. The cap is needed, but it is not enough," he said. "An increase is still an increase. We need a circuit breaker that caps what we have to pay in property taxes."

An important area of concern throughout the north country is the rising cost of home heating fuel, which is expected to hit the region hard this winter. Mr. Aubertine said increased funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps pay energy bills, and improving energy efficiency in individual homes are needed. He advocates a long-term approach.

"By making our homes more energy efficient, we can save money on our individual bills and several states already have successful programs to pay for those costs that we can use as a model," the senator said. "We must also continue to position Central and Northern New York as a center for green jobs, producing energy and environmentally sustainable products. This will not only play a part in driving fuel costs down through marketplace competition, but also create good jobs here."

The Senate Democratic Conference has scheduled a press conference for this afternoon to unveil "a comprehensive energy relief package" they plan to propose on Friday.

Finally, Mr. Aubertine wants the Senate to pass home rule legislation for several communities in the 48th Senate district that languished in committee when the regular session ended on June 24.

"The people of Watertown, Parish and Granby should not be made to suffer for the majority's political gain," Mr. Aubertine said. "I will continue to make the case for these bills until they are adopted."