“I believe now, the Governor wants to do the things he says. He is right to argue that better ethics can lead to better policies. I support his ethics reform proposal. If no Senator in the Democratic Senate Majority sponsors it when it is released, I will sponsor it, because I believe these ideas deserve an honest debate.”

“Change in Albany comes not with speeches, but with actions that match the words spoken. I hope the Governor sticks with the priorities he outlined, truly fights for them, and stands with independent-minded legislators for the benefit of New Yorkers across the State. If he does that, he may have a shot at giving a 2011 State of the State speech. If he replays the disaster of 2009, then we will have to hope a new Governor will bring New Yorkers a government that is responsive to the needs of the people. I stand ready to partner with any Governor that wishes to do that.”

“Governor Paterson is speaking bluntly and accurately about the need to address the problems of the people of New York. In last year’s State of the State speech, he also spoke about the need for tax reform, but then signed into law the new MTA tax, higher license fees, new license plate mandates, hunting fee increases, the SUNY tax, higher utility fees, and the list goes on and on. That is not the tax reform New Yorkers want.”

“His actions to reign in State spending and correct the deficit are laudable – but they were only necessary because the very budget he and his New York City-based Democratic colleagues approved, was so bloated in the first place.”