Changes

Ball again joined Spitzer, this time calling for property tax reform, and proposed an inflation-indexed cap on spending and school andproperty tax increases known as the "New York State Property Taxpayers Protection Act" similar to the measure adopted by [[Massachusetts]] and fourteen other states.<ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/01/10/ball-on-the-governors-address/ Ball on the Governors Address]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. January 10, 2008.</ref><ref>"Governor missed golden opportunity to curb spending". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. April 6, 2007.</ref><ref>Lucas, Ashley. "[http://www.legislativegazette.com/read_more.php?story=2564&searchstr=Greg Ball Assembly GOP hears residents on taxing issues]". ''[[Legislative Gazette]]''. June 18, 2007.</ref><ref>Barron, Sam. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=2364 School tax reform gains steam]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. May 30, 2007.</ref> Ball has proposed measures to cap or eliminate the state sales tax on gasoline, and voted for the measure signed by Governor Spitzer to reform the State Budget process with more openness and transparency.<ref name="greenstock"/><ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=099&sh=story&story=20999 Ball Keeps His Promise – Eliminates Pork Barrel and Reforms Budget Process]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. January 25, 2007.</ref><ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A02755 Bill Summary - A02755]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. Retrieved on March 23, 2008.</ref>

Ball again joined Spitzer, this time calling for property tax reform, and proposed an inflation-indexed cap on spending and school andproperty tax increases known as the "New York State Property Taxpayers Protection Act" similar to the measure adopted by [[Massachusetts]] and fourteen other states.<ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/01/10/ball-on-the-governors-address/ Ball on the Governors Address]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. January 10, 2008.</ref><ref>"Governor missed golden opportunity to curb spending". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. April 6, 2007.</ref><ref>Lucas, Ashley. "[http://www.legislativegazette.com/read_more.php?story=2564&searchstr=Greg Ball Assembly GOP hears residents on taxing issues]". ''[[Legislative Gazette]]''. June 18, 2007.</ref><ref>Barron, Sam. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=2364 School tax reform gains steam]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. May 30, 2007.</ref> Ball has proposed measures to cap or eliminate the state sales tax on gasoline, and voted for the measure signed by Governor Spitzer to reform the State Budget process with more openness and transparency.<ref name="greenstock"/><ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=099&sh=story&story=20999 Ball Keeps His Promise – Eliminates Pork Barrel and Reforms Budget Process]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. January 25, 2007.</ref><ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A02755 Bill Summary - A02755]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. Retrieved on March 23, 2008.</ref>

He has voted dozens of times against any bill that proposes tax increases, including opposition a measure to raise the Putnam County sales tax by half a percent from 3.5% to 4% that was supported by State Senator Vincent Leibell, a fellow local legislator.<ref>Matthews, Cara. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/06/21/raging-against-the-machine/ Raging against the machine]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. June 21, 2007.</ref> Ball was also dismayed when asked by Putnam county legislators to carry a bill to Albany during the 2007 county "budget crisis",<ref name="taxcrisis1">Elan, Susan. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/04/24/ball-calls-putnam-budget-crisis-forum/ Ball calls Putnam budget crisis forum]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. April 24, 2007.</ref> requesting a sales tax increase to 8.375%, which County Executive Robert Bondi, a fellow Republican, claimed was necessary to ward off a projected 66% property tax increase.<ref>Sternberg, Margaret. "[http://www.pcnr.com/news/2007/0502/front_page/001.html Legislature Considers Alternatives Should Sales Tax Renewal and Increase Fall Through]". ''[http://www.pcnr.com Putnam County News and Recorder]''. May 2, 2007.</ref><ref>Sternberg, Margaret. "[http://www.pcnr.com/news/2007/0509/front_page/001.html County Legislator O'Dell's Commission for Fiscal Vision and Accountability Tabled While Tamagna's and Ball's Budget Forum Looms]". ''[http://www.pcnr.com Putnam County News and Recorder]''. May 9, 2007.</ref> Ball felt that the County legislature could have eliminated more "[[Pork-barrel spending" from the county budget.<ref name="taxcrisis1"/><ref>Sternberg, Margaret. "[http://www.pcnr.com/news/2007/0404/front_page/001.html County Sales Tax Renewal and .5 Percent Increase Approved in Committee]". ''[http://www.pcnr.com Putnam County News and Recorder]''. April 4, 2007.</ref> Another state legislator, Democrat [[Sandra Galef]], eventually introduced the tax increase bill to the Assembly.<ref>Leiter, Maria. "[http://www.pcnr.com/news/2007/0725/Front_Page/001.html County Legislature Approves Saltes Tax Increase]". ''[http://www.pcnr.com Putnam County News and Recorder]''. July 25, 2007.</ref> Ball later joined with a county legislator in calling on Bondi to resign, citing his "incompetence and stubbornness" in proposing a budget with a 40% increase in the property tax levy.<ref>Boisi, Patrick. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=2882 Bondi defends 40 percent tax increase, Ball calls for his resignation]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. September 12, 2007.</ref><ref name="resignnow">Anderson, Liz. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/09/07/ball-to-bondi-resign-now/ Ball to Bondi: Resign now]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. September 7, 2007.</ref>

He has voted dozens of times against any bill that proposes tax increases, including opposition a measure to raise the Putnam County sales tax by half a percent from 3.5% to 4% that was supported by State Senator Vincent Leibell, a fellow local legislator.<ref>Matthews, Cara. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/06/21/raging-against-the-machine/ Raging against the machine]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. June 21, 2007.</ref> Ball was also dismayed when asked by Putnam county legislators to carry a bill to Albany during the 2007 county "budget crisis",<ref name="taxcrisis1">Elan, Susan. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/04/24/ball-calls-putnam-budget-crisis-forum/ Ball calls Putnam budget crisis forum]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. April 24, 2007.</ref> requesting a sales tax increase to 8.375%, which County Executive Robert Bondi, a fellow Republican, claimed was necessary to ward off a projected 66% property tax increase.<ref>Sternberg, Margaret. "[http://www.pcnr.com/news/2007/0502/front_page/001.html Legislature Considers Alternatives Should Sales Tax Renewal and Increase Fall Through]". ''[http://www.pcnr.com Putnam County News and Recorder]''. May 2, 2007.</ref><ref>Sternberg, Margaret. "[http://www.pcnr.com/news/2007/0509/front_page/001.html County Legislator O'Dell's Commission for Fiscal Vision and Accountability Tabled While Tamagna's and Ball's Budget Forum Looms]". ''[http://www.pcnr.com Putnam County News and Recorder]''. May 9, 2007.</ref> Ball felt that the County legislature could have eliminated more "Pork-barrel spending" from the county budget.<ref name="taxcrisis1"/><ref>Sternberg, Margaret. "[http://www.pcnr.com/news/2007/0404/front_page/001.html County Sales Tax Renewal and .5 Percent Increase Approved in Committee]". ''[http://www.pcnr.com Putnam County News and Recorder]''. April 4, 2007.</ref> Another state legislator, Democrat [[Sandra Galef]], eventually introduced the tax increase bill to the Assembly.<ref>Leiter, Maria. "[http://www.pcnr.com/news/2007/0725/Front_Page/001.html County Legislature Approves Saltes Tax Increase]". ''[http://www.pcnr.com Putnam County News and Recorder]''. July 25, 2007.</ref> Ball later joined with a county legislator in calling on Bondi to resign, citing his "incompetence and stubbornness" in proposing a budget with a 40% increase in the property tax levy.<ref>Boisi, Patrick. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=2882 Bondi defends 40 percent tax increase, Ball calls for his resignation]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. September 12, 2007.</ref><ref name="resignnow">Anderson, Liz. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/09/07/ball-to-bondi-resign-now/ Ball to Bondi: Resign now]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. September 7, 2007.</ref>

Ball pledged to deliver an Empire Zone to Putnam County during his campaign, and this became a reality in February 2008.<ref>"[http://www.assemblymangball.com/BlogEntry.aspx?entryID=73 Empire Zone comes to Putnam County]". ''[http://ball4ny.com Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.</ref><ref>"[http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/PC_EZ-08Feb08.html State approves Putnam County Empire Zone]". ''[http://midhusonnews.com Mid-Hudson News]''. February 8, 2008.</ref> Advantages of an Empire Zone include offering up to 100-percent state subsidy of a business' real estate taxes for up to 10 years, state tax credits up to $3,500 for five years for each new employee, a waiver of sales tax on certain business purchases and sales tax credits for contributions to 501c3 non-profit groups.<ref>Gross, Eric. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19289190&BRD=1708&PAG=461&dept_id=72445&rfi=6 Empire Zone becomes reality in Putnam County]". ''[http://www.putnamcountycourier.com Putnam County Courier]''. February 14, 2008.</ref> Ball has also delivered dozens of grants for organizations throughout the 99th Assembly District, including the American Red Cross.<ref>"[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=3580 Ball provides $10,000 to American Red Cross emergency preparedness program]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. February 13, 2008.</ref><ref name="vol1iss3">"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/099/20070926a/ A Community News Letter: Pawling]", vol 1., Issue 3. ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. October 2007.</ref><ref>Foley, Kevin. "[http://www.pcnr.com/news/2008/0206/Front_Page/006.html ARC in Greater NY Receives Grant for Computers at New Putnam Office]". ''[http://www.pcnr.com Putnam County News and Recorder]''. February 6, 2008.</ref>

Ball pledged to deliver an Empire Zone to Putnam County during his campaign, and this became a reality in February 2008.<ref>"[http://www.assemblymangball.com/BlogEntry.aspx?entryID=73 Empire Zone comes to Putnam County]". ''[http://ball4ny.com Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.</ref><ref>"[http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/PC_EZ-08Feb08.html State approves Putnam County Empire Zone]". ''[http://midhusonnews.com Mid-Hudson News]''. February 8, 2008.</ref> Advantages of an Empire Zone include offering up to 100-percent state subsidy of a business' real estate taxes for up to 10 years, state tax credits up to $3,500 for five years for each new employee, a waiver of sales tax on certain business purchases and sales tax credits for contributions to 501c3 non-profit groups.<ref>Gross, Eric. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19289190&BRD=1708&PAG=461&dept_id=72445&rfi=6 Empire Zone becomes reality in Putnam County]". ''[http://www.putnamcountycourier.com Putnam County Courier]''. February 14, 2008.</ref> Ball has also delivered dozens of grants for organizations throughout the 99th Assembly District, including the American Red Cross.<ref>"[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=3580 Ball provides $10,000 to American Red Cross emergency preparedness program]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. February 13, 2008.</ref><ref name="vol1iss3">"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/099/20070926a/ A Community News Letter: Pawling]", vol 1., Issue 3. ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. October 2007.</ref><ref>Foley, Kevin. "[http://www.pcnr.com/news/2008/0206/Front_Page/006.html ARC in Greater NY Receives Grant for Computers at New Putnam Office]". ''[http://www.pcnr.com Putnam County News and Recorder]''. February 6, 2008.</ref>

| network      = ''[[Fox News]]''

| network      = ''[[Fox News]]''

| airdate      = 2008-01-01

| airdate      = 2008-01-01

}}</ref> The 287(g) partnership, which includes training on how to avoid racial profiling, allows local law enforcement officers to work as ICE agents and file immigration violation charges, so that an illegal immigrant charged with crime in would have deportation papers filed immediately.<ref name="ice2">Hughes, Jennifer. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/24immigwe.html?_r=1&ref=nyregionspecial2&oref=slogin Police Seek Help in Criminal Deportation]". ''[[New York Times]]''. February 24, 2008.</ref> Ball believes that correctional officers should receive immigration law enforcement training under the 287(g) program, and has promised to work with the ICE branch of the Department of Homeland Security by signing up counties which have their own correctional facility for the training.<ref name="ice1">Gross, Eric. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19317567&BRD=1708&PAG=461&dept_id=72445&rfi=6 Ball criticizes immigration law enforcement training for local police forces]". ''[http://www.putnamcountycourier.com Putnam County Courier]''. February 21, 2008.</ref><ref>"Pawling forum offers info on rape cases probe". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. December 16, 2007.</ref> Ball announced another regional summit that would be held in April 2008.<ref>Rae, Leah. "[http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080210/NEWS01/802100352#pluckcomments Brewster, Suffern pursue immigration enforcement role]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. February 10, 2008.</ref>

}}</ref> The 287(g) partnership, which includes training on how to avoid racial profiling, allows local law enforcement officers to work as ICE agents and file immigration violation charges, so that an illegal immigrant charged with crime in would have deportation papers filed immediately.<ref name="ice2">Hughes, Jennifer. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/24immigwe.html?_r=1&ref=nyregionspecial2&oref=slogin Police Seek Help in Criminal Deportation]". ''New York Times''. February 24, 2008.</ref> Ball believes that correctional officers should receive immigration law enforcement training under the 287(g) program, and has promised to work with the ICE branch of the Department of Homeland Security by signing up counties which have their own correctional facility for the training.<ref name="ice1">Gross, Eric. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19317567&BRD=1708&PAG=461&dept_id=72445&rfi=6 Ball criticizes immigration law enforcement training for local police forces]". ''[http://www.putnamcountycourier.com Putnam County Courier]''. February 21, 2008.</ref><ref>"Pawling forum offers info on rape cases probe". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. December 16, 2007.</ref> Ball announced another regional summit that would be held in April 2008.<ref>Rae, Leah. "[http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080210/NEWS01/802100352#pluckcomments Brewster, Suffern pursue immigration enforcement role]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. February 10, 2008.</ref>

He has noted that illegal immigrants are not always automatically deported despite facing criminal charges.<ref name="ice2"/> Ball has opposed similar programs enrolling local law enforcement officials in the training, stating that "most local police agencies don't have the resources or the time to dedicate themselves to immigration law enforcement" and that starting a jail house program where names of suspected illegal aliens would be screened by a federal database would be more effective.<ref name="ice1"/> Ball said that "the key in this is that you need a jail, because you can wait weeks to determine someone's immigration status and then trigger the deportation procedure."<ref name="summit"/>

He has noted that illegal immigrants are not always automatically deported despite facing criminal charges.<ref name="ice2"/> Ball has opposed similar programs enrolling local law enforcement officials in the training, stating that "most local police agencies don't have the resources or the time to dedicate themselves to immigration law enforcement" and that starting a jail house program where names of suspected illegal aliens would be screened by a federal database would be more effective.<ref name="ice1"/> Ball said that "the key in this is that you need a jail, because you can wait weeks to determine someone's immigration status and then trigger the deportation procedure."<ref name="summit"/>