WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. BY District 89 Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. January 22, 2005: This year will be a very difficult one for New York, yet I am confident I can help preserve and improve the quality of life for Westchester families and oversee meaningful government reforms.
White Plains Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. Photo WPCNR News Archive.
I have been appointed to six key Assembly Committees: Children and Families; Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; Election Law; Environmental Conservation; Judiciary; and Veterans Affairs. These appointments will place me in a position to work on many important issues facing Westchester and the State.
Reforming government and protecting taxpayers
We’ve seen way too many examples of abuse from public authorities over the years. I’ll use my appointment to the Corporations Committee to help ensure authorities, like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), don’t undermine the public’s trust.
I have already sponsored plans to end abuses of the public trust by state authorities and public benefit corporations (A.3). The bill would establish an independent budget officer for public authorities and public benefit corporations. The IBO would be required to collect, distribute and assess information about the budget for each authority. The IBO would also make reports and provide information to the public and elected officials.
Authorities exist in a gray area between the public and the private sector – enjoying the benefit of taxpayer funding with little if any, oversight and accountability. The public deserves to know that authorities are going to be held accountable, and I’ll continue working to assure accountability, transparency and that money for public transportation is spent wisely.
Protecting our children’s future
As a proud new father, I know nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our children. My work as a family practice lawyer and a board member of the Law Guardian Association — an association devoted to representing children in legal proceedings — has shown me first-hand the concerns that children today are confronted with.
The scourges of illicit drugs, alcohol abuse and delinquency have made growing up harder than ever before. Young people are being pulled in different directions, and too often parental guidance takes a backseat to peer pressure. I will fight in the Assembly to protect our children from these enticements that threaten to end childhood far too early.
Working on the Children and Families Committee will enable me to continue my forceful advocacy of children in our community. The committee considers legislation aimed at steering young people away from activities that will adversely affect their futures and impair the quality of life in our community.
As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I am working on reforms to the state’s judicial selection laws to ensure that the most qualified judges serve (A.7, A.8). I will also focus on protecting victims of domestic violence and increasing access to justice for all New Yorkers.
Protecting our environment
Protecting our environment and preserving open space are major concerns in Westchester County and my appointment to the Environmental Conservation Committee will help enable me to lead the Assembly in protecting our environment and preserving our precious open space.
Veterans play an integral role in our community and as a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee I can ensure they receive the benefits that they have earned and deserve.
I intend to use my committee appointments to ensure that we focus on Westchester’s many needs and these appointments will help me improve, protect and preserve our quality of life here in Westchester County.
-30-
