Reducing the tax burden, creating job opportunities, eliminating government red tape, providing educational opportunities for our children and improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers is my goal. I believe that the 1999 state budget accomplishes, in part, many of the goals I set out to achieve during the legislative session.

Among the most important aspects of every state budget is the amount of money the state can return to the taxpayers. The following tax cuts and incentives passed in the 1999-2000 state budget:

* $1.2 billion was allocated to begin the first year of the STAR exemptions for all non-senior homeowners.

* The state's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was increased from the current 20 percent of the federal EITC to 22.5 percent for the 2000 tax year and to 25 percent for the 2001 tax year.

* The scheduled elimination of the 4 percent state sales tax on clothing and footwear costing up to $110 was suspended from Dec. 1, 1999, until March 1, 2000. In addition, two more tax-free weeks in September 1999 and January 2000 was designated.

New York state has shown a strong commitment toward providing the best possible education for our children. By improving technology and providing opportunity, this year's state budget puts education in the forefront. The following education programs and funding were included in the 1999 state budget:

* School aid increased by a record $910 million to $12.6 billion, the highest level in state history.

* State support for textbooks increased by 18 percent to $151 million.

* The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) was restored by $114 million to $615.1 million.

* The Office of Science Technology and Academic Research was created to recommend policies on research and economic development involving the state's colleges and universities.

I assure you that I will continue to fight for the needs of the citizens of the 17th Assembly District residents and all New Yorkers. Working together, New York will truly enter the 21st century as the Empire State.