Changes

====Committee work and legislation====

====Committee work and legislation====

As ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Ball announced legislation expanding the eligibility for veterans to receive tax exemption benefits, including the exemption of real property owned by certain disabled veterans from property taxation.<ref name="vol1iss3"/> Ball also authored the bill to create a tuition remission program for veterans, offering them free tuition at both SUNY and CUNY undergraduate and graduate institutions.<ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08532 Bill Summary - A08532]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> Although the first bill did not make it out of committee, after Governor Spitzer called on the Assembly to pass such a measure, Ball reintroduced the legislation and has gained thirty-one cosponsors.<ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A09701 Bill Summary - A09701]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> State Senator Vinnie Leibell, whose Senate district encompasses the 99th Assembly District, announced the Senate would begin working to pass a similar measure.<ref>"[http://senatorvincentleibell.com/40/news/07-03-01/making_college_education_more_affordable.aspx Making college education more affordable]". ''[http://senatorvincentleibell.com New York State Senate]''. [[March 1]], [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> Currently, the State of New York Higher Education Services Corporation only offers tuition awards of $1000 per semester for military service.<ref>"[http://www.hesc.com/content.nsf/SFC/2/Veterans_Tuition_Awards Veterans Tuition Awards]". ''[http://www.hesc.com New York State Higher Education Services Corporation].'' Retrieved on [[February 25]], [[2008]].</ref> Numerous members of the New York Veterans of Foreign Wars, including the State Commander, spoke in favor of the bill before the Assembly in February of [[2008]].<ref>"[http://www.vfwny.com/WHOVILLE/Whoville.pdf The Whoville Legislative Register]". ''[[New York]] [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]]''. Vol. 5, No. 6. [[February 5]], [[2008]].</ref>

As ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Ball announced legislation expanding the eligibility for veterans to receive tax exemption benefits, including the exemption of real property owned by certain disabled veterans from property taxation.<ref name="vol1iss3"/> Ball also authored the bill to create a tuition remission program for veterans, offering them free tuition at both SUNY and CUNY undergraduate and graduate institutions.<ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08532 Bill Summary - A08532]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> Although the first bill did not make it out of committee, after Governor Spitzer called on the Assembly to pass such a measure, Ball reintroduced the legislation and has gained thirty-one cosponsors.<ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A09701 Bill Summary - A09701]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> State Senator Vinnie Leibell, whose Senate district encompasses the 99th Assembly District, announced the Senate would begin working to pass a similar measure.<ref>"[http://senatorvincentleibell.com/40/news/07-03-01/making_college_education_more_affordable.aspx Making college education more affordable]". ''[http://senatorvincentleibell.com New York State Senate]''. [[March 1]], [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> Currently, the State of New York Higher Education Services Corporation only offers tuition awards of $1000 per semester for military service.<ref>"[http://www.hesc.com/content.nsf/SFC/2/Veterans_Tuition_Awards Veterans Tuition Awards]". ''[http://www.hesc.com New York State Higher Education Services Corporation].'' Retrieved on [[February 25]], [[2008]].</ref> Numerous members of the New York Veterans of Foreign Wars, including the State Commander, spoke in favor of the bill before the Assembly in February of 2008.<ref>"[http://www.vfwny.com/WHOVILLE/Whoville.pdf The Whoville Legislative Register]". ''[[New York]] [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]]''. Vol. 5, No. 6. [[February 5]], [[2008]].</ref>

His support for pro-agricultural legislation, including creation of measures to establish a $30 million Dairy Assistance Program, as well as providing financial assistance to counties for farmland protection and for the construction of greenmarkets, among others, earned him an award from the New York Farm Bureau.<ref>"[http://www.nyfb.org/nyfbnews/2007/pr091107.htm New York Farm Bureau names 'Circle of Friends' in the State Legislature]". [http://www.nyfb.org/ New York Farm Bureau]. [[September 11]], [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> He was also named as the [[National Rifle Association|New York State Rifle & Pistol Association]] "Assemblyman of the Year" for his dedication toward advocating for outdoor sports and sportsmen’s rights.<ref name="vol1iss3"/>  

His support for pro-agricultural legislation, including creation of measures to establish a $30 million Dairy Assistance Program, as well as providing financial assistance to counties for farmland protection and for the construction of greenmarkets, among others, earned him an award from the New York Farm Bureau.<ref>"[http://www.nyfb.org/nyfbnews/2007/pr091107.htm New York Farm Bureau names 'Circle of Friends' in the State Legislature]". [http://www.nyfb.org/ New York Farm Bureau]. [[September 11]], [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> He was also named as the [[National Rifle Association|New York State Rifle & Pistol Association]] "Assemblyman of the Year" for his dedication toward advocating for outdoor sports and sportsmen’s rights.<ref name="vol1iss3"/>  

As a pet owner, Ball has made animal protection a campaign platform, and he secured grants for Guiding Eyes for the Blind and local humane societies, and has co-sponsored legislation to prohibit the slaughter of horses for the purpose of human consumption, as well as a bill to allow guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs to be allowed in public places during their training.<ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/099/20070803/ Ball Supports Animal Rights]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. [[August 3]], [[2008]].</ref> Ball worked closely with the [[Humane Society of the United States]] to pass legislation to outlaw puppy mills, which are large commercial kennels that are notorious for substandard conditions and an "assembly line" approach to churning out puppies.<ref>Summers, Kathleen. "[http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/advocates_take_a_bite_out_of_112607.html Advocates Take a Bite Out of Puppy Mills]". ''[[Humane Society of the United States]]''. [[November 27]], [[2007]].</ref> The bill, known both as "Charlemagne's Law" and "The Puppy Mill Act", strengthens a previous measure he had created, and is the product of a constituent who lost a beloved pet due to parasites, ear mites, kennel cough and a corneal ulcer all stemming from the poor environment of the puppy mill.<ref>Flaim, Denise. "[http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-hopets5496610dec13,0,5183129.column Puppy mills need to be stopped at the demand end]". ''[[Newsday]]''. [[December 13]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/12/19/meows-and-woofs-instead-of-yays-and-nays/ Meows and woofs instead of yays and nays]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[December 19]], [[2007]].</ref> The legislation prohibits pet stores from selling dogs bred in puppy mills, and was introduced alongside another bill which would impose stiffer penalties for those convicted of [[dog fighting]].<ref>"[http://www.ballforny.com/animalprotection.aspx Animal Protection]". ''[http://www.ball4ny.com Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved [[March 10]], [[2008]].</ref>   

As a pet owner, Ball has made animal protection a campaign platform, and he secured grants for Guiding Eyes for the Blind and local humane societies, and has co-sponsored legislation to prohibit the slaughter of horses for the purpose of human consumption, as well as a bill to allow guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs to be allowed in public places during their training.<ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/099/20070803/ Ball Supports Animal Rights]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. [[August 3]], [[2008]].</ref> Ball worked closely with the Humane Society of the United States to pass legislation to outlaw puppy mills, which are large commercial kennels that are notorious for substandard conditions and an "assembly line" approach to churning out puppies.<ref>Summers, Kathleen. "[http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/advocates_take_a_bite_out_of_112607.html Advocates Take a Bite Out of Puppy Mills]". ''[[Humane Society of the United States]]''. [[November 27]], [[2007]].</ref> The bill, known both as "Charlemagne's Law" and "The Puppy Mill Act", strengthens a previous measure he had created, and is the product of a constituent who lost a beloved pet due to parasites, ear mites, kennel cough and a corneal ulcer all stemming from the poor environment of the puppy mill.<ref>Flaim, Denise. "[http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-hopets5496610dec13,0,5183129.column Puppy mills need to be stopped at the demand end]". ''[[Newsday]]''. [[December 13]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/12/19/meows-and-woofs-instead-of-yays-and-nays/ Meows and woofs instead of yays and nays]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[December 19]], [[2007]].</ref> The legislation prohibits pet stores from selling dogs bred in puppy mills, and was introduced alongside another bill which would impose stiffer penalties for those convicted of dog fighting.<ref>"[http://www.ballforny.com/animalprotection.aspx Animal Protection]". ''[http://www.ball4ny.com Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved [[March 10]], [[2008]].</ref>   

He has been involved in the fight to keep Pepsi Bottling Group in his district, after the company, which is Westchester County's second-largest employer announced it was considering relocating out of his district due to the tax burden it faces.<ref>Dumas, Bob. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=3488 Officials scramble to keep Pepsi in Somers]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. [[January 23]], [[2008]].</ref><ref name="pepsi1">Driscoll, Eugene. "[http://www.newstimes.com/ci_8249208?source=most_emailed Danbury trying to woo Pepsi]". ''[[Danbury News-Times]]''. [[February 13]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>According to "[http://www.nystu.org/issues-facts.cfm Facts & Figures]" from the ''[[National Taxpayers Union|New York State Taxpayers Union]]'', New York's corporate tax structure is composed of a flat rate of 7.5% on all corporate income. Among states levying corporate income taxes, New York's rate ranks 21st highest. In 2004, New York's corporate tax collections were $106 per capita and ranked 14th highest nationally. New York also ranks 50th (worst) in the non-profit Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index compares the states in five areas of taxation that impact business: corporate taxes; individual income taxes; sales and gross receipts taxes; unemployment insurance taxes; and taxes on wealth, including residential and commercial property.</ref> He told reporters that "Westchester County has become a nightmare for not only business owners, but property owners, because of the tax burden", but that he was "cautiously optimistic" they would remain in their [[Somers, New York]] headquarters.<ref name="pepsi1"/>

He has been involved in the fight to keep Pepsi Bottling Group in his district, after the company, which is Westchester County's second-largest employer announced it was considering relocating out of his district due to the tax burden it faces.<ref>Dumas, Bob. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=3488 Officials scramble to keep Pepsi in Somers]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. [[January 23]], [[2008]].</ref><ref name="pepsi1">Driscoll, Eugene. "[http://www.newstimes.com/ci_8249208?source=most_emailed Danbury trying to woo Pepsi]". ''[[Danbury News-Times]]''. [[February 13]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>According to "[http://www.nystu.org/issues-facts.cfm Facts & Figures]" from the ''[[National Taxpayers Union|New York State Taxpayers Union]]'', New York's corporate tax structure is composed of a flat rate of 7.5% on all corporate income. Among states levying corporate income taxes, New York's rate ranks 21st highest. In 2004, New York's corporate tax collections were $106 per capita and ranked 14th highest nationally. New York also ranks 50th (worst) in the non-profit Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index compares the states in five areas of taxation that impact business: corporate taxes; individual income taxes; sales and gross receipts taxes; unemployment insurance taxes; and taxes on wealth, including residential and commercial property.</ref> He told reporters that "Westchester County has become a nightmare for not only business owners, but property owners, because of the tax burden", but that he was "cautiously optimistic" they would remain in their [[Somers, New York]] headquarters.<ref name="pepsi1"/>