Hot off of Andy's Blog:
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS
ONE COMMERCE PLAZA, SUITE 803
ALBANY, NY 12260 518/434-1262 FAX: 518/426-8799
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Mike Elmendorf (518) 434-1262, Jack Mozloom (609) 987-8777
Small Business Endorses Andrew Goodell for Assembly
ALBANY -New York’s leading small business association, the National Federation of Independent Business, has endorsed Andrew Goodell for election in the 150th Assembly district.
“Andrew Goodell is the right candidate for small business in this race--and the candidate who has demonstrated the strongest support for the small business agenda,” said NFIB/New York State Director Mike Elmendorf. “As a small business owner, Andrew understands the devastating impact of excessive taxes and New York’s crushing cost of doing business. He will say no to costly new mandates on small business and will support common sense lawsuit reform. Andrew will also join NFIB’s push for property tax cuts and state spending cap to lead the way to a more affordable New York in which small business owners can do what they do best--run their businesses and create jobs. We look forward to working with Andrew in the State Assembly on behalf of New York’s small business community,” Elmendorf said.
“I am extremely pleased and honored to receive the support of the NFIB, the voice of small businesses in New York State. This endorsement reflects my deep commitment to local businesses. Small business is the backbone of our economy and a critical source of private sector jobs for our communities. In Albany, I will aggressively seek to cut State spending and taxes, eliminate burdensome fees and regulations, and make New York State more business friendly, and I have recommended several specific proposals to accomplish that mission. We need to help our local businesses grow and add jobs, not kill them with excessive taxes and fees. I am grateful that the NFIB has endorsed me as their candidate in Chautauqua County for the 150th Assembly District,” said Goodell.
Small business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to go to the polls.
NFIB’s political support is based on the candidate’s position and record on small-business issues. Andrew Goodell’s endorsement comes from the NFIB/New York SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust, the political action committee for NFIB/New York’s membership. The endorsement puts the considerable grassroots support of the state’s small businesses behind the Goodell campaign.
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NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise.
PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY NFIB, DAN RICHARDSON, NFIB NY/SAFE TRUST TREASURER, ONE COMMERCE PLAZA, SUITE 803, ALBANY, NEW YORK 12260
NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.
State Assembly candidate Andy Goodell (R,C,Change Albany) today called on Governor Paterson to take strong action to cut the number of highly paid bureaucrats in state government.
According to recent data from the state Comptroller, the number of state workers making more than $100,000 is the highest in the history of New York state, and is four times higher than it was in 2000. The report also stated that in just one year, from 2008 to 2009, while the state was going into recession and was facing a horrific budget deficit, the number of employees making more than $100,000 increased by 16 percent.
“The staggering information provided by Comptroller DiNapoli is just another example of the desperate need for reform in Albany,” said Goodell. “Albany is totally out-of-touch with reality. At the same time that families are struggling to make ends meet, often living paycheck-to-paycheck, top state employees are becoming wealthy with fat raises, generous health care and great pensions. The fact that these enormous expenses were increased during a recession just adds insult to injury.”
In addition to costing state taxpayers about $3 billion in salaries, these highly-paid bureaucrats will be entitled to state pensions that dwarf the average lifetime earnings of the average taxpayer who is forced to foot the bill.
According to the Comptroller’s report, the total number of state employees making more than $100,000 in 2009 was 23,685, which accounts for nearly one-quarter of the entire state payroll. To put these numbers in perspective, according to the 2000 census, the entire population of Dunkirk and Fredonia combined (including men, women and children) is about 24,000 people. Likewise, the entire combined population of the Towns of Ellery, Ellicott and Busti (including Falconer, Celoron, Lakewood and Bemus Point) is less than 22,000 people.
“It is time that state government puts taxpayers first,” said Goodell. “As your Assemblyman, I will fight with all of my strength to restore fiscal integrity to New York state.”
