Left to right – Andy Goodell, NYS Assemblyman District 150, Marion Beckerink, Rotary President and Becky Robbins Program chairman

Andy returned to private practice in 1998, focusing on business and commercial law.

He has served as a board member of the Chautauqua Leadership Network SUNY Fredonia Business Administration and Accounting Advisory Board, Bemus Bay Pops, Jamestown Noon Rotary, Girl Schouts of Southwestern New York, Citizens Opportunity for Development and Equality (CODE), First Covenant Church, and Silver Creek Montessori School. He’s been a fellow Rotarian since 2001, served as President in 2008-09 and is a five-time Paul Harris Fellow.

In 2010, he was elected to the New York State Assembly. For the last seven years, he has served as the Minority Floor Leader, where he reviews all the bills and coordinates all the floor debate. He says he has the dubious distinction of speaking more words on the floor of the Assembly than any other member.

He also serves as a Social Services Committee and Government Operations Committee member.

Andy lives with his wife Lisa, has four adult children, and enjoys hiking, biking, and biking.

The editor prefaces this report by inviting you to listen to the recording which includes much more information and of course the humor of our dear colleague Andy.

Andy’s perspective of his time in office was that this opportunity was tremendously interesting and challenging and he was very grateful for the opportunity to serve. He considered it the opportunity of a lifetime.

The last seven years Andy has served as floor leader for the minority. Every Friday he and several others would review all the bills coming to the floor in the next week and decide which bill would go through for a quick vote or which should be debated.

If the bill is called up for debate – he gets about an hour’s notice which could be very stressful. For many of those debates, he can reach out to the ranking member of the home committee, who he considers a phenomenal group. Of the remainder of the bills, Andy takes 1/3 to ½ and develops a bill packet consisting of the bill, a memo of support, all letters received for and against the bill, and a one or two-page summary written by internal staff members – another phenomenal group in his opinion. It is not unusual for his democratic colleagues to ask what are the questions about the bill? The questions are shared with them to focus on discussing the policies rather than arguing about facts.

Andy indicated that his topic today is seeking a BALANCE between government regulations and individual freedoms and the unintended consequences - one of the most difficult things the legislators do.

Andy pointed out that today we sang the national anthem “the Land of the Free” and the “Home of the Brave”. Free? He asked how many haven’t paid taxes, taxes, and more taxes already today – for our meals, for gas to drive our cars, for our properties, etc. and he pointed out we are not free to just walk outside without your clothes on because it’s hot outside – don’t try it.  He pointed out we are not truly free, and the balance is constantly changing.

As the Industrial Era began and railroads were being built, there was a huge need for steel plant, tremendous wealth was accumulated and progress brought us from a 3^rd world to a first world country. Our country and the economy were full steam ahead. Steel plants belched out horrific pollution and the government stepped in and began regulating. The New York State Statutes have grown tremendously since that time, (regulations now take up half a wall in Andy’s conference room). Andy reminded us all that when we act in a governmental manner, we often can’t fully understand the unintended consequences that flow from it.

Goodell cited questions for the audience to ponder – questions that have no answers.

We all agree that rental apartments should be fundamentally safe. New York City passed a law for lead abatement. When a rent stabilized apartment in New York City becomes vacant, it cannot be rented until the landlord has had the lead abated. The state passed a law stating you can only raise rent a certain amount. A cap was passed that if a landlord has made major improvements, rent can only be raised $35,000. Lead abatement costs $50,000 to $75,000. If a landlord can only raise the rent by $35,000, he/she cannot recoup their costs, so landlords leave the apartments vacant.

There is currently a housing rental vacancy rate of 1.2% in New York City. However, the vacancy rate on rent stabilized apartments is over 25% - because landlords can’t afford to abate and rent. When the landlord doesn’t rent the apartment, the result is a terrific housing crisis.

A recent Post-Journal editorial mentioned that the city would be increasing housing inspections which may result in many of those units not being able to be rehabilitated.  While the audience agreed that everyone should have the right to reliable heat, water, plumbing, and electricity the question was posed…but what about the Amish? The Amish have NONE of those things, pointing out two extremes between individual freedoms and government regulation.

Another example is in healthcare.

There are over 60 mandated coverages in New York State. You cannot buy a basic policy in NYS. A single person’s policy covers pregnancy and vasectomy, which depending on the person’s sex, may never be used. Should a person be able to buy whatever coverage they want or need?  If we allow that, the cost to everyone else goes up – which points out another balancing act. (Liberty Insurance is NOT available in NYS.)

All of these are problems with no solutions.

Goodell asked if we believed that everyone should be paid a fair and reasonable wage, which is a fundamental expectation.

NY State has the highest minimum wage behind California. When you raise the minimum wage, some people do a lot better and other people lose their jobs, or their hours are cut. Business owners find they must replace the worker rather than pay the worker more.

What’s the net affect overall? Cornell University Economics Department did a survey with the results revealing that an increase in the minimum wage results in a net reduction in overall wages paid to the community.

Who opposed this bill?

The migrant workers argued they are coming here to earn as much as possible and send money back home. Instead, the farmers actually hire more workers, eliminating overtime, while the migrant’s time worked went down and so did their income.

The challenge for all of us – before we say yes to any changes in legislation – is to step back, take a breath and ask do we want the government involved. And if so, what are the ramifications? Who wins & who loses?

Mr. Goodell does not have the answers, but stated he was so thankful for the opportunity to represent us.

Andy was honored with a standing ovation.