ALBANY, 07/02/09 -- Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today commented on the fight for senate leadership:

“It is clear the stalemate in Albany has gone on too long.  We need a long-term bipartisan operating plan, so we can get back to the significant issues of our state.

“There are some critically important public policy issues behind this debate.  In just five short months one party control of state government has pushed families and businesses to the breaking point.  We have lost our STAR rebate checks, seen taxes skyrocket on health insurance and utility bills and watched as a budget put together in secret increased spending by $12 billion enacting $8 billion in new taxes instead of cutting spending and ignored our need for business growth and new jobs.

“The senate reform coalition has proposed a bipartisan operating agreement and suggested binding arbitration, public negotiating meetings and mediation by the governor to resolve the current conflict.  I am actively pursuing an end to the impasse.

“We need a long-term resolution regarding power sharing in the state senate that will end the Albany logjam and prepare us for the future.  We need to put an end to out of control Albany spending and higher taxes.

“I am hopeful a genuine long-term settlement that will resolve these outstanding issues can be achieved and move our state forward.”