Assemblyman Steve Labriola (R-Massapequa) announced this week his vote in favor of an important jobs creation initiative - Jobs Plus 2000 - as part of the recent state budget compromise.

Labriola explained that the initiative, recently dubbed "J2K," when signed into law by Governor Pataki, will help ensure New York state's continued economic growth and encourage more private-sector job growth, two areas where New York state continues to trail the national average despite progress in recent years.

"Jobs Plus 2000 will help ensure we continue cutting onerous taxes on our families and businesses in New York State," said Labriola. "This is still an issue because, despite several straight years of tax cuts and economic growth, New Yorkers still pay 53 percent above the national average in state and local taxes, and that fact hampers our ability to compete with other states for business activity and investment capital which leads to job growth."

Labriola explained that major provisions of the initiative include:

* Accelerating the scheduled rate reductions in the corporate franchise tax by two full years, so the new top rate of 7.5 percent becomes effective July 1, 2000.

* Slashing energy taxes by accelerating the scheduled reduction in the gross receipts tax rate to 2.5 percent so it takes effect Sept. 1, 1999, and enacting Governor Pataki's proposed additional energy tax rate reductions and reforms, saving taxpayers $156 million a year.

* Allowing a capital gains income tax exclusion for assets used in a New York business or trade, generating $20 million in tax relief when fully effective.

* Making the research and development credit refundable for companies that have been in business less than 10 years, providing an estimated $5 million in needed capital investment.

* Augmenting the qualified emerging technology company tax credit, as proposed by Governor Pataki, generating $20 million per year in additional savings for cutting edge companies.

* Supporting Governor Pataki's proposed $4.5 million increase in business marketing and promotion.

Jobs Plus 2000 is a comprehensive economic growth package for New York State," said Labriola. "Jobs Plus 2000 will encourage businesses to invest and grow in our communities, providing jobs and opportunities for all of us. I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to vote for its implementation."

Assemblyman Labriola also announced passage of the New York State Budget which provided funding for the first phase of the Governor's "NY Cares" Program. "Passage of this funding ensures people with developmental disabilities and their families that New York cares about them and their future," stated Labriola.

Labriola explained that New York Cares is a five-year comprehensive plan to virtually eliminate the waiting list for residential services for people with developmental disabilities in New York State. The plan, New York Creating Alternatives in Residential Environments & Services (NY CARES) will not only include placement opportunities for those who are currently on the waiting lists, but also those who are expected to apply for residential placement in the future.

"This plan effectively eliminates the waiting list for a bed in a community home and is sufficient to address the needs of those expected to join the waiting list over the next five years," commented Labriola.

Over the next five years, NY Cares will: add nearly 4,900 new beds; add approximately 1,000 new day service opportunities; and accommodate the needs of more than 8,100 people.

Labriola concluded, "I have always held a deep concern for our special population of developmentally disabled and their families. Today marks New York State's commitment to continuing to make high quality residential services available to our most vulnerable population and their families."