Ball, Galef Hopeful About Cuomo's Proposals

CORTLANDT, N.Y. – New York State Senator Greg Ball (R,C-North Westchester) and Assemblywoman Sandra Galef (D-North Westchester) spoke to a large crowd of business owners in Cortlandt Thursday morning. Both were in Albany Wednesday for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State Address, and they both spoke hopefully about the governor’s proposed legislative and economic agenda for the coming year.

“First, the speech was a runaway great speech,” said Ball, “If he delivers he’ll be well positioned to be president, and he’ll deserve it.”

The governor has proposed “$25 billion in state, federal and private economic activity.” He proposed building the nation’s largest convention center in Queens, rebuilding the Tappan Zee Bridge, rebuilding 100 other bridges statewide, and an energy superhighway. Cuomo also proposed public education overhaul, demanding accountability from district management.

“A lot of energy, a lot of passion, and, of course, very ambitious,” said Galef, about the governor’s speech. “Even the construction in the city, a lot of businesses here could benefit.”

New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver proposed raising the state’s minimum wage, which is currently at $7.25 per hour, or $15,000 per year. “I know that’s hard for businesses,” Galef said, “I tend to think we need to do something along that line.”

Notably excluded from the governor’s speech were mentions of hydraulic-fracturing, “fracking,” and the Indian Point Nuclear power plants in Buchanan.  The omission of Indian Point was glaring to many Westchester public officials, some of whom see the two nuclear reactors as a serious health and safety concern, and others who see it as an economic boon to the area.

“I’ve supported a moratorium, I don’t know whether I’m for it or against it, I don’t know a lot about it,” said Galef, about fracking. Ball has been a vocal critic of fracking.

Ball and Galef spoke at the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce business breakfast Thursday morning, holding a question and answer session after speaking. Ball said despite his criticism of Washington politics, and conjecture that he may consider running for as a federal representative, he is focused on reelection for his current New York State Senate seat.

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