Re-Elect Assemblyman David Koon - Honesty - Integrity - Experience

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Bringing awareness to victims of crime

Posted at: 04/23/2009 3:21 PM \| WHEC.com - Updated at: 04/23/2009 5:03 PM - WHEC-TV - Area leaders from Monroe County and Rochester gathered today to bring awareness to victims of crime. National Crime Victims' Rights Week officially kicks off Sunday. It's a time to recognize, remember and advocate for those recovering from traumatic incidents here in the community.
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Assemblyman Koon Advocates for Individuals with Autism

The entire month of April has been designated “Autism Awareness” month. As quoted from the Autism Speaks Website, “It’s time to shine a light on Autism, to awaken public understanding of the crisis, and to accelerate support for research and services.”
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Fellow state lawmakers didn't have the stomach to make tough budget decisions

David Koon • Guest essayist • April 11, 2009 - Last year, as the worldwide economic downturn became more and more imminent, I stated that rather than a crisis, we faced an opportunity. I suggested that, after years of unsustainable spending, an overreliance on Wall Street at the expense of the rest of the state's economy, rising costs paralleled by rising taxes, expedient solutions and one-time budget fixes, jobs and families and children leaving our state for greener pastures, we reprioritize government and build a new foundation of fiscal responsibility.

This would not be easy. But not unlike a family — the families that I am elected to represent — making adjustments during difficult economic times, we would find the resolve to survive, thrive, and do more, better, with less. Done responsibly, in a spirit of shared sacrifice and with an eye toward a brighter future, the opportunity was there.

Yet budget negotiations proved that two Albany truisms ruled the day — no one wants to be cut and no one wants to do the cutting.

Koon Stands Up Against Budget

April 3, 2009: It's noteworthy that influential Albany insiders such as state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Assemblyman Joe Morelle are solidly opposed to the new $131 billion state budget that already financially-stressed New Yorkers must pay for. The problem, however, is that they're only now speaking up after the Legislature's irresponsible action.

Granted, better late than never. DiNapoli issued a stern news release Wednesday calling the new budget an inadequate solution to "New York's propensity to spend more than the state can afford." He can say that again. Morelle, the Monroe County Democratic chairman from Irondequoit, along with Assemblyman David Koon of Perinton, also voted against all nine spending bills. Of course, with the Democrats outnumbering Republicans 105-41 in the Assembly, "no" votes by Morelle and Koon were hardly crucial. Still, they reflected fiscal reality.

Koon said the budget contains too much spending at a time of a $17 billion deficit. "It's crazy. We can't afford this." Indeed.