Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I – Springport) today announced that the state budget agreement will not make cuts to agricultural programs that had previously been planned. Legislative leaders had originally planned to cut important agricultural programs from this year’s budget, but Finch and his colleagues were able to ensure that they were restored.

“Farmers are the backbone of our economy and provide essential products for so many throughout the region. Many farmers have been struggling, and to cut agricultural funding would have been devastating. I’m happy to say that we were able to restore a significant amount of funding for programs important to New York farmers,” said Finch.

The agreed upon budget will restore funding to the following programs:

• Farm Viability Institute – $821,000 restored, for a total of $1,221,000;
• FarmNet (Farm Family Assistance – $100,000 increase, for a total of $484,000;
• Northern NY Agriculture Development – $200,000 increase and full restoration, for a total of $500,000;
• Tractor Rollover Prevention (ROPs) – $100,000 restored;
• Cornell rabies prevention – $100,000 restored;
• Maple Producers – $100,000 restored;
• Cornell Integrated Pest Management Program – $400,000 restored.

Furthermore, the budget will reject a new fee for research and marketing that was to be levied on dairy farmers.

Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I – Springport) is joining his colleagues in the fight against synthetic cannabinoids, a dangerous drug that has emerged to pose a serious threat to the public health. These drugs are marked as “legal” and consist of plant material coated by chemicals which mimic THC, the active principle of marijuana.

The issue was brought to Assemblyman Finch’s attention by Joseph Leogrande, member of the Auburn school board. Mr. Leogrande has spearheaded the effort to fight these dangerous substances and has contacted the Department of Health in order to move forward with the issue. The drugs have become a serious issue for Auburn and the surrounding areas, and thanks to Mr. Leogrande’s efforts to make the public aware of the issue, Assemblyman Finch is working with his colleagues to rectify the issue.

As a result, Assemblyman Finch has signed on to legislation calling for an immediate prohibition on the sale and distribution of synthetic marijuana. While the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has issued a final order to place these synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement is also strongly in support of legislation to ban these substances in New York.

According to the New York State Department of Health, calls to New York State Poison Control Centers have increased significantly this year, and severe side effects, including death, acute renal failure, as well as other significant negative effects to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems have been linked to use of these products. Furthermore, these products do not show up on a urine drug screen as THC.

“I’d like to thank Mr. Leogrande for all of his hard work in combating this dangerous drug, as it poses a serious threat to the health of so many. In the near term, synthetic cannabinoids will be made illegal and we will be able to move forward in keeping these drugs off of our streets and away from impressionable youths who may be tempted to experiment with them. The fact that synthetic cannabinoids are legal does not in any way make them safe or any less hazardous to one’s health,” said Finch.

As the April 1 state budget deadline approaches, Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I – Springport) is working to ensure equitable funding for schools in this year’s budget. A New York school particularly hard hit by budget cuts is the Auburn Central School District, which has reached the point of near insolvency – having closed its middle school, laid off 67 employees (many of whom were teachers), and still has a $5 million budget shortfall with additional cuts in both staff and curriculum on the horizon; it is paramount that its soundness is ensured.

Countless other school districts in the assemblyman’s district also face similar dilemmas, including Cincinnatus and Homer. Additionally many schools in Tioga County were devastated by last year’s flooding, noted Finch.

Finch is committed to working out the details on state funding, and as a member of the bipartisan Conference Committee on Education, is fighting for an additional $200 million in aid.

Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I – Springport) is reminding residents to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is a refundable credit for people who work, but do not earn high incomes.  To find out if you are eligible, go to www.irs.gov/eitc. 

 While many people have taken advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, millions of taxpayers still do not claim their EITC.  Those earning under $49,078 may be eligible for up to $5,751 through the Earned Income Tax Credit. Millions of workers could qualify for the first time this year because their earnings dropped, or their marital or parental status changed in 2011. Many more may already qualify but don’t know it, such as childless workers and grandparents raising their grandchildren.

 Many may also have the opportunity to file their federal tax forms electronically, free of charge.  To find out more about IRS Free File, go to www.irs.gov/efile, and click “Free File” on the left column.

“There are many opportunities to save and cut costs when filing taxes, and many do not take advantage of these tax breaks,” said Finch.  “I’d like to encourage all New Yorkers who think that they may be eligible to look into the Earned Income Tax Credit and Free File service, as well as any other possible credits that may be available to them.”

For more information, you may visit www.irs.gov.

With tax season upon us, Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I – Springport) will be offering New York State tax forms for residents of the 123^rd Assembly District.  The forms can be picked up at Finch’s District Office at 69 South Street in Auburn.  This year, tax returns for individuals are due April 17.

“For your convenience, my office will have tax forms on hand, so feel free to stop by my office and pick up the forms that you need to file your tax return,” said Finch.

For directions or any other information that you may need, contact Assemblyman Finch’s office at 315-255-3045

Governor Cuomo’s budget presentation today provided us with an outline of his ambitious and optimistic plan for New York. Building upon last year’s successes, he mentioned a handful of very important issues that we will address this year, including pension reform, mandate relief and an overhaul of the Medicaid system, all of which will save taxpayer dollars. Additionally, I applaud Governor Cuomo for his plan to reform our education system in order to ensure that the children of our state are getting the education that they need and deserve.

Statement by Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I – Springport)
“We were able to open this year’s legislative session on a positive note and build momentum with an on-time budget that began to right-size a bloated state government and made dramatic cuts to New York’s massive debt. With the close of the legislative calendar upon us, we were finally able to pass a property-tax cap, but there is much work left to be done to right the ship and put New York back on a path to long-term prosperity and job growth. Now we must make significant mandate relief for school districts and local governments a priority. Once we address these cost-drivers, we need to turn our attention to the institution of economic development policies in order to create jobs for the thousands of New Yorkers still out of work.”

“Today’s passage of an ethics reform package to overhaul the way that Albany does business represents a landmark achievement for New York State government. Greater transparency and bipartisan oversight will help to ensure that elected officials and state government as a whole will once again begin to work for the people of New York, instead of the special interest groups and political insiders that have dominated Albany politics for years.”

Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I – Springport) has announced that three libraries in his district will be awarded state grants this year. The libraries receiving grants are Sherburne Public Library, Aurora Free Library Association and Mary Wilcox Memorial Library.

“Libraries are an important part of our communities that provide residents with access to an almost unlimited amount of information,” said Finch. “If you need to find information, you can always look to your local library. Or if you simply want to find a good book to read, you’ll be able to find that as well.”

The grants total over $145,000. Funding will be given to each library as follows: Sherburne Public Library, $106,456; Aurora Free Library Association, $32,028; and Mary Wilcox Memorial Library, $6,897. The grants will be used for upgrades to various parts of the libraries, including roofing and architectural elements, infrastructure and improving energy efficiency.

“We need to ensure that our libraries are kept in excellent shape and have the most up-to-date equipment,” Finch stated. “These grants will go a long way towards ensuring that they are kept in top shape.”