Albany@Work - no longer an oxymoron.

It's amazing how different a little over a year can make in the fundamental way a place operates, especially a place that's long been known for corruption and dysfunction. New York's capital in late 2010 was wrought with bad budgets, worse legislation, and a not-so-healthy mix of infighting and/or scandal amid the state's legislators who regularly convened here. Fast forward a year that included a fiscally sound budget, and productive, logical legislation from a refreshingly aggressive Governor and new, cooperative Senate Majority, and Albany 2012 is a whole new world.

Legislators are jovial with each other despite being from opposite parties, another fiscally sound budget that tackles issues such as pension reform and mandate relief is being proposed with widespread support, and legislative meetings run as smooth as silk. Partnership staff was in Albany this past week to experience these changes firsthand, and it was flat out awesome.

Meet with a Democratic Assemblyman about innovation investment like SBIR? "We'd love to do it; let's work together!"

Meet with a Republican Senator about the Buffalo Building Re-Use Project's asbestos legislation recommendations? "Great idea, let's use that language. Send it to my staffer."

Review the Partnership's # 1 priority, Proceeds, with the Governor's energy staff? "The money is there for Western New York, let's figure out out how to get it done. It makes sense."

In a very short period of time, the Partnership's advocacy team has went from fighting the "defensive" battles to stop bad bills from passing, to coming up with proactive, positive pieces of legislation that are well received by lawmakers and have a great shot of becoming a reality. While the change is sudden, it is welcome. A few more years like 2011, and based on this past week in Albany, 2012 looks promising, New York will be poised to reclaim it's status as the Empire State.

This is why we do what we do. It's why we are in Albany and DC, pushing for legislative changes that help the job creators and taxpayers of New York; it's why we engage politically and fought for real changes in the Legislature during the 2010 elections. It's why we'll continue to be aggressive in advocacy and in the political arena. We at the Partnership can't wait for New York State's economic revival, and will be a part of the uphill climb to make it happen!