Assemblyman Abbate Reviews Just-Finished Legislative Session, Boasts Of Avoiding Tax Hike

It is sort of incredible that with all the bills and spending passed by the New York State Legislature this year that taxes were not raised. This is an accomplishment that Assemblyman Peter Abbate is especially proud of in what he describes as a fairly good year for the legislature as a whole.

In summarizing the legislative year for 2013, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported that Abbate , who is a 37-year veteran of the Assembly, was mostly pleased with all of the action in Albany this year, especially that the Senate and Assembly did not raise taxes while expanding education spending.

“The state budget turned out okay. We increased funding for education, not just at the local school level, but at the state and city university levels. It’s a major part of my legislative agenda – making sure we have enough money for education,” Abbate told the Daily Eagle.

Abbate was also satisfied with a bill that strengthened rules that banks have to follow in foreclosure proceedings.

“The banks were getting away with murder,” Abbate said.

Not everything was rosy this year for Abbate. He expressed disappointment in a job creation bill that offers huge tax breaks to businesses who start operations on college campuses and hire over 25 people.

“I love the idea of job creation, but I don’t know if this will work. In the past, companies have done all sorts of things to get out of the commitment to hire people. They pay reduced taxes and they don’t live up to their end of the bargain,” he said.

Overall, Abbate painted a positive view of the legislature, comparing their work favorably to the popularity of representatives working in Washington DC.

“We’re a lot better than congress!” Abbate exclaimed, perhaps forgetting about the rampant corruption scandals plaguing Albany lawmakers all year.