With his request for fiscal prudence, Gov. David Paterson will need a lot of help paying for this year’s State Budget, not to mention his message to “tighten our belts” when next year’s budget is negotiated. We know it won’t come easy with the current batch of 212 legislators. Many don’t see him as a man elected by the People of this State and also have no intention of giving up their addiction to member items.

What New Yorkers have to realize is that this year’s September Primary and November Election will be important in sending a message of change to Albany. We’re not going to see it if the same faces arrive in Albany on January 1, 2009. We’re also not going to see much change if we don’t vote for candidates that run on a message of fiscal responsibility.

Fiscally responsible politicians can come from both sides of the aisle. There are the liberal ones who understand that tax revenue needs to be spent wisely. They wish to reform how money is spent and favor transparency with member items. A conservative can work with this kind of "good government" politician. 

The conservative ones want to see taxes lowered and spending brought down or completely abolished. Removing spending that appears wasted to a conservative won't come easy, since the majority will remain in the hands of Democrats, but the idea will be there and a conservative will have to compromise on certain tax policies. Conservatives that also wish to reform the budget process and make government actually work for the People again should be supported and elected.

Not every district will be electing a Democrat and not every district will be electing a Republican. What we can try to do is find fiscally responsible challengers to win seats in the legislature and stand true to a message of reform. A voting block of new legislators from both parties standing together can force change. If enough new bloods go into Albany and stand united with the Governor and his message of reform and responsible legislating, it’ll also give our unelected Governor a mandate that his message of change in Albany was heard by the voters agreed with his message.