Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) has been recognized for being one of the most bipartisan members of congress.

The Lugar Center completed a non-partisan ranking of how often each Member of Congress works across party lines and Reed was place in the top 10 percent.  Out of 438 House members who were scored, Reed ranked no. 23 for most bipartisan. For comparison, fellow WNY congressman Brian Higgins (D-South Buffalo) ranked 373 while Chris Collins (R-Williamsville) ranked 151.

“We are proud to be recognized by The Lugar Center for our commitment to reaching across the aisle to get things done for hardworking families across New York’s 23rd Congressional District,” said Tom Reed via a media release from his reelection campaign. “Through our leadership role on the Problem Solvers Caucus, we consistently demonstrate our willingness to seek common ground solutions to some of the toughest issues facing the communities we care about. We will continue to be an independent voice in Washington, remain accessible, and deliver fair results for the families that we proudly represent.”

Ranking first on the list was Minnesota Democrat Collin Peterson and ranking dead-last on the list was Alabama Republican Mo Brooks.

The ranking is compiled by the Lugar Center and Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy following each session of Congress. More information can be found at the Lugar Center website.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo

CANANDAIGUA – Governor Andrew Cuomo and Senator Chuck Schumer launched a statewide push across congressional districts Monday to urge New York’s delegation to stand up for the middle class and oppose the repeal or reduction of state and local tax deductions (Also known as “SALT” deductions) in the proposed tax plan.

According to governor Cuomo, if the Republican tax plan recently introduced in Washington were to pass, many New Yorkers could be saddled with a tax increase of thousands of dollars. They also say that eliminating or reducing the state and local tax deduction would have ripple effects of decreasing home values in the region and placing pressure on state and local governments to reduce their taxes and cut spending on education and their local fire and police departments.

In September the city of Jamestown also unanimously approved a resolution calling for the federal government to not eliminate or reduce the SALT deduction and it was signed the following day by Mayor Sam Teresi.

Cuomo and Schumer discussed the issue while standing with homeowners in Canandaigua, which sits on the border of Congressman Tom Reed’s 23^rd congressional District (which includes Chautauqua County) and Chris Collins 27^th Congressional District. Both Republicans are expected to support the SALT elimination.

In response to the press event by Cuomo and Schumer, Rep. Reed released a statement on his Facebook page.

“I believe a compromise position regarding the state and local tax deduction is achievable. In fact, I have discussed including a credit for state and local taxes which will ensure a tax cut for the hardworking local property taxpayers of New York State. I care about cutting taxes for the middle class,” Reed said on his Tuesday morning Facebook post.

He also took aim at Schumer and Cuomo for their press event.

“Sen. Schumer and Gov. Cuomo have spent years championing how the wealthy one percent need to pay their fair share; our proposal does just that. As a result, Schumer and Cuomo will be proven to be the biggest hypocrites in New York political history, as they are the ones actually protecting the one percent at the expense of the rest of us,” Reed said.

According to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, in New York, 23 percent of taxpayers making $65,900 to $111,100 would see an average tax increase of $460 and 42 percent of taxpayers making between $111,100 and $240,900 would see an average tax increase of $1,960 next year.

On Tuesday Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) announced that he would be supporting a proposal by fellow WNY congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence, NY 27), which would limit a state’s authority to regulate rifles and shotguns.

Reed said that instead of New York limiting second amendment rights for its residents, it should instead focus on other ways to respond to gun violence.

“There’s a lot of common ground when it comes to taking on the areas of gun violence, when it comes to mental health and criminal activity. If we focus on those two areas, I think that is the right approach in order to deal with gun violence across America – addressing mental health issues as well as criminal activity that is often behind the gun violence statistics that you read about,” Reed said.

Reed made his comments during his weekly conference call with regional reporters.

In 2015 a federal court had ruled that New York’s SAFE Act was constitutional. WRFA asked Reed why he thought it was important for Congress to interfere with the state’s ability to craft its own gun legislation.

Congressman Reed speaking to the crowd in North Harmony on Feb. 18, 2017.

“I am a strong believer in local government and state government, but when it comes to our individual, guaranteed, fundamental rights under the constitution, I believe it’s appropriate for the federal government – and we’ve done it on other areas of the law – to make sure that those constitutional rights are protected even further than just a judicial review,” Reed said. “That’s where the statutory prerogative that this legislation represents, to me, is taking a prudent course to make sure that the Second Amendment fundamental right is protected at the state level.”

Collins’ legislation would prevent any state from implementing any regulations on weapons that are more restrictive than what’s required by federal law.

The SAFE Act was approved by the New York State Legislature and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo after the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2013. Among other things, it requires universal background checks, broadens the classification of an “assault rifle” to include semi-automatic firearms, and limits the amount of ammunition that can be held in a gun magazine.

Collins bill has been sent to committee for consideration.

According to a recent report from Politifact, gun violence in New York State has declined since the passage of the SAFE Act. However, it’s hard to determine if there was a direct correlation between the two or if other factors were also at play.

In 2016, there were 10,007 violent crimes with a firearm reported to police. In 2013, there were 12,235. The percentage of violent crimes with a firearm also fell from 16 percent in 2013 to 13.5 percent in 2016.

Looked at another way, the number of firearm-related violent crimes per New York state resident also has declined. There were 62 firearm-related violent crimes reported for every 100,000 residents in 2013, compared with 50 for every 100,000 residents by 2016.

The number was already going down outside New York City before the SAFE Act in 2013. There were 5,340 violent firearm crimes reported to police outside New York City in 2008 — the most in the last decade. The count has only increased twice since, in 2012 and 2016.

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo is slamming a federal bill proposed by Congressman Rep. Chris Collins (NY-27, R-Clarence) that would override much of the governor’s SAFE Act gun control law.

Collins plan, announced Monday, would limit a state’s authority to go beyond federal regulations regarding rifles or shotguns. The bill, dubbed the “Second Amendment Guarantee Act,” AKA SAGA, would essentially overturn the 2013 SAFE Act’s expansion of the definition of what features define a banned assault-style rifle in New York.

In a media release sent out earlier this week, Cuomo described Collins’ proposal as political posturing and said he would go to court to fight the bill if it were to become law.

“In 2013, following the Sandy Hook tragedy, New York State rose to the occasion and passed the toughest gun safety laws in the nation…. Now, in a blatant political ploy, Chris Collins is turning his back on New Yorkers and putting millions of people at profound risk. By fighting to roll back vital legislation that protects the people of the Empire State, Collins is demonstrating once again that he is beholden to no one but the gun lobby and entrenched special interests… The courts have resoundingly upheld New York’s law as consistent with the Constitution. We understand that Washington is in turmoil right now – we just ask that they don’t do anything to set back the progress we’ve been able to make despite them.”

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

WASHINGTON – Republican leaders are steering the Senate toward a crucial vote on their bill eviscerating much of the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s health care law. The pending vote has been buoyed by the near theatrical return to the Capitol of the ailing Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

On Monday McCain announced through his office that he would be back in Washington for the critical roll call on beginning debate on the legislation. The 80-year-old has been at home in Arizona since he revealed last week that he’s undergoing treatment for brain cancer.

Meanwhile, Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) said he’ll oppose any healthcare legislation that comes out of the U.S. Senate that does not include an amendment that removes the local cost of Medicaid.

Reed released a statement on Monday and reiterated it during his weekly conference call with the media, saying that the Faso-Collins Amendment that was included in the final house version of the American Health Care Act also needs to be included in any final version the Senate puts forth.

“Standing with our local taxpayers is something I care deeply about and this opportunity -to do the right thing by putting the burden at the state capitol that controls medicaid, and can design medicaid, and therefore is ultimately responsible for that system – to me is the right thing to do,” Reed said. “Without it in the legislation I just don’t feel comfortable moving forward with the Senate health bill if it doesn’t have that provision in it.”

The Faso-Collins Amendment – sponsored by Republican congressman Chris Collins and John Faso of New York, would requires every state in the country to assume all costs of Medicaid.  It is specifically aimed at New York State, which is currently the only state in the country that still requires local county governments to pay a portion of the Medicaid cost.

The argument in favor of the amendment is that it would help reduce local property taxes but eliminating the Medicaid burden. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other state leaders have argued against the bill, saying the removal of the local share would drive up costs at the state level by $2.3 billion – meaning the state would likely have to find ways to offset that increase, including the possibility of reducing local aid.

In Chautauqua County for the 2017 budget which totals $233 million, a total of $30.3 million was budgeted for Medicaid.

It was reported last week that major portions of the Senate Republican health bill — including the Faso-Collins Amendment — likely will end up on the cutting room floor, thanks to a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian, who ruled that major portions of the health bill are policy-making measures that can be struck from the bill unless 60 senators vote to keep them.

With Republicans struggling to even get the 50 votes they need to pass the health bill, the ruling puts Democrats in the position where they could challenge and defeat several provisions in the bill, from the Faso-Collins amendment to a provision barring federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

Donald Trump

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to repeal and replace “Obamacare” is now in the hands of a key group of GOP senators who are opposing -or not yet supporting – legislation Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is pushing to bring to a vote this week.

These lawmakers range from moderate to conservative Republicans, and include senators who were just re-elected and a couple facing tough re-election fights. Their concerns about the legislation vary along with their ideology, from those who say it’s overly punitive in ejecting people from the insurance rolls, to others who say it doesn’t go far enough in dismantling former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine tweeted after the Congressional Budget Office analysis on Monday that the Senate bill won’t fix the flaws in the current bill. She says she will vote no on the “motion to proceed.”

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin says he has “a hard time believing I’ll have enough information for me to support a motion to proceed this week.”

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky says it’s worse to “pass a bad bill than to pass no bill.”

CUOMO WEIGHS IN ON SENATE HEALTHCARE BILL

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo (left) and Congressman Tom Reed (right)

Meanwhile, Gov. Andrew Cuomo hasn’t been shy about voicing his criticism of the Senate version of the health care bill. In a statement released Monday following an assessment report released by the Congressional Budget Office on the Senate Plan, the governor said the report shows that Republicans in the Senate are choosing to put millionaires over the middle class, cutting taxes for the rich at the expense of the health care of millions of Americans.

“This bill will leave 22 million more Americans without health care coverage, including 15 million more Americans by next year alone,” The governor noted. “Just like the House bill, this legislation is a death trap for New Yorkers. The Senate bill will jeopardize health care coverage for millions of New Yorkers, raise premiums on the poor and the elderly, and eliminate more than $7 billion for New York’s health care system, including life-saving funding for the fight against the opioid crisis. It also specifically targets New York, threatening to withhold federal tax credits for New Yorkers because of our support for women’s reproductive rights.”

He also said that the inclusion of the Faso-Collins amendment – which aims to eliminate the local contribution counties pay the state to help cover the cost of Medicaid – would force every resident to pay more through a new state tax.

“And by including the reckless Faso-Collins amendment, this bill will force every resident of this state to pay a ‘Faso-Collins Federal Tax’ added onto local property taxes to make up the $2.3 billion shortfall created by their proposal,” The governor noted.

Cuomo said he’s already called on the state’s Congressional delegation to do everything within their means to protect New York residents and not support the measures. However, Chautauqua County’s representative in Congress, Republican Tom Reed of Corning, released a statement critical of the governor, calling him a liar and a bully who’s done nothing for upstate New York.

“Governor Cuomo is a liar who has done nothing for upstate New York,” Reed said. “He’s a one trick pony for whom everything is an excuse to raise taxes. He needs to buck up like other governors and start reining in the cost of Medicaid and figure out more efficient ways of spending the taxpayers’ money. Instead, he acts like a bully and threatens a tax hike on middle class families.  I’d like to see Gov. Cuomo run for president owning the highest tax increase in America.”

Dr. Sherri Mason of SUNY Fredonia addresses the Chautauqua County Legislature, calling for its support of Great Lake Funding, during the legislator’s March 2017 meeting.

MAYVILLE – Several residents were on hand at the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting Wednesday night to speak out against a cut in President Donald Trump’s proposed federal budget and its impact on the health and preservation of the Great Lakes. In addition, others also showed up to voice their opposition to a proposed motion in support of the Collins Amendment in the proposed American Health Care Act – which would remove the local cost of Medicaid from county governments.

The comments were the result of two motions the legisalture was scheduled to act on later in the meeting.

• MOTION 1: Support of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
• MOTION 2: Support of Chris Collins Amendment

CONCERN OVER GREAT LAKES FUNDING CUTS

Last week, President Trump released his proposed federal budget, which increases military spending while at the same time slashing or eliminating dozens of domestic programs and initiatives.

Trump proposes cutting the Environmental Protection Agency budget by 31 percent, from $8.3 billion in fiscal year 2017 to $5.7 billion in fiscal year 2018. As part of those EPA cuts, the Trump budget eliminates the $300 million in annual funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which finances environmental projects all over the region.

Among those who voiced concern for the possible Great Lakes funding cuts was Dr. Sherri Mason of SUNY Fredonia, who’s research on the impact of plastic microbeads on the great lakes ecosystem resulted in a local ban in Chautauqua County, and has received national attention.

“We are respectfully asking the legislature to pass a motion opposing the budget cuts, because of the impact that they will most definitely have on the Great Lakes,” Mason said. “Many of us remember that not too long ago, back in the 60s and 70s, when the rivers of the Great Lakes would regularly catch on fire, when the algal blooms were so bad, and when the Great Lakes were basically considered dead. Because of the things like the EPA, the Sea Grant agencies, the Clean Water Act, and various environmental initiatives that have taken place within the past 30 years that the Great Lakes have come back to this current state.”

COLLINS AMENDMENT RECEIVES PUBLIC CRITICISM

Former Chautauqua County Mental Health Commissioner Ralph Walton speaks during the legislature’s March 2017 meeting.

The legislature also considered a motion that would show support for the Collins Amendment, which is part of the American Health Care Act being considered by Congress and is named for its sponsor, Rep. Chris Collins (R-Clarence, NY 23). Collins amendment calls for the local cost of Medicaid to be eliminated, shifting it to the state level. While its an amendment to a federal bill, it would only impact counties in upstate New York and Long Island. According to state officials, the cost of such a shift would be $2.3 billion in lost Medicaid payments from local governments, if and when it takes effect in 2020, assuming of course the legislation passes both houses of Congress in its current form.

Speaking out against the Collins Amendment, both Bemus Point Resident Phyllis Caloren and Chautauqua resident John Brysacz explained to lawmakers that eliminating the local cost of Medicaid would have an adverse impact on local hospitals and nursing homes, as well as thousands of residents within the county. In addition, former Chautauqua County Mental Health Commissioner Ralph Walton also spoke to the legislature, explaining the negative impact the GOP-sponsored healthcare plan would have on drug addiction and other mental health services currently offered in the region.

Later in the meeting, the legislature unanimously approved the two motions of support.

Legislator George Borrello (R-Irving) offered comment prior to each vote, explaining that the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has not only provided environmental benefits, but also infrastructure, commerce, and industrial benefits as well. He also explained the support for the Collins Amendment, saying New York State has the largest Medicaid spending of any state in the nation, and the amendment will go a long way in changing policy in Albany, in order to bring down that spending and making it more similar to what the rest of the nation is spending.

The House plans to vote on the American Health Care Act Thursday, and in advance on Wednesday, President Trump was expected to continue pushing for support of what would be a significant achievement for his young presidency.

But underscoring the bill’s uncertain fate, a senior administration official said that 20 to 25 House Republicans remained opposed or undecided. That’s a grave figure since united Democratic opposition means the measure crashes if 22 GOP lawmakers vote “no.”

Chautauqua County’s representative in Congress says he’s on board with the GOP proposed American Health Care Act and thinks it will have enough votes to pass the House. Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) told reporters during a Tuesday conference call that he believes there will be enough votes to pass the bill, despite reports that some GOP lawmakers may be on the fence.

“I believe they’re moving in the right direction to support this legislation. They see the improvements that have been made and I believe they also recognize the promise that’s been campaigned upon for year,” Reed said. “it’s no secret across America that we as a Republican conference, to a T, support the repeal of Obamacare and moving forward with replacement policies that are going to empower people and patients and doctors. So this is the first step in that process and that promise they recognize and is where we’ll come down on Thursday.”

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

Late Monday night House leaders put forward a series of final amendments to the bill, which Reed said strengthens the GOP plan. Reed also said he was especially in favor of the Collins Amendment (or the Faso-Collins Amendment). The name(s) comes from Reps. Chris Collins and John Faso, upstate Republicans who are behind this push to shift the local cost of Medicaid from Upstate and Long-Island counties to the state.

“The one I like best is the inclusion of that relief directly to our property tax payers across the district, when it comes to that county tax levy burden that medicaid puts on them from Albany. So from my perspective that was the top priority as we went through this process,” Reed said.

According to state officials, the cost of such a shift would be $2.3 billion in lost Medicaid payments from local governments, if and when it takes effect in 2020, assuming of course the legislation passes both houses of Congress in its current form.

As a result, state leaders say the amendment will have a severe negative effect on local hospitals and nursing homes.

Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday said 2.7 million New Yorkers would face substantial loss in their current health care coverage while the quality and availability of health services across the state would be jeopardized. The reduction in Medicaid spending will have a significant impact on funding for nursing homes, home care, and hospitals, putting 7 million New Yorkers at risk according to the Democratic governor.

COUNTY LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT COLLINS AMENDMENT

The Collins Amendment is also apparently good news to a group of local lawmakers. During Wednesday’s Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, a motion of support for the amendment will be up for a vote. The motion has 10 sponsors, enough to ensure its approval.

When added to the $4.5 billion cost of the ACHA over the next four years, Cuomo indicated that the total cost to the State would rise to $6.9 billion.

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A conference call with Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) and regional media representatives. Held Monday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2017.

This week Congressman Reed discusses – among other topics – his support for an amendment by fellow GOP House member Chris Collins (NY 27), which would require states to no longer mandate local governments to pay for a share of the Medicaid cost.  The amendment is being proposed as part of the proposed American Health Care Act, put forward by the GOP.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 27) is throwing his support behind a fellow Republican’s plan to cut the cost of Medicaid from local governments.

On Tuesday Reed held a conference call with regional media and said he’s supporting Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence, NY 27) amendment to the proposed American Health Care Act, which both Reed and Collins claim would lessen the property tax burden across upstate New York.

“From my perspective, this would be a significant reduction in property taxes and we are fully supportive of that,” Reed said. “I have talked with so many seniors and parents and listened to folks express their concerns about the property taxes that continue to go through the roof here in New York State.”

Reed and Collins claim that the local share of Medicaid is what is driving the up the cost of local property taxes, and its time Congress steps in to provide relief.

“We have talked to county executives across the state and county leaders across the district and this is nearly, for some of the counties, close to 70 percent of the tax levy that the counties put forward each year – anywhere from 30 to 70 percent,” Reed said.

For the 2017 budget, Chautauqua County has $30.3 million allocated toward the local cost of Medicaid – about half of the estimated $60.9 million tax levy. However, when compared to total spending in the budget, Medicaid expenses cover 13 percent of all costs.

The Collins amendment was criticized this past weekend by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who said that removing the local share would drive up costs at the state level by $2.3 billion – meaning the state would likely have to find ways to offset that increase, including the possibility of reducing local aid.