Tea Party Activists, Pro-Lifer...
August 31, 2010 -
At a Rally outside the Historic Putnam County Courthouse, site of Assemblyman Gre...
Other Issues
Click on any of the issues below to find out where Greg Ball stands.
Homeland Security
Our state was hit, New York was the target, and make no mistake about it; New York is still the target.
The bureaucratic nightmare that is the Department of Homeland Security will require independent solutions to ensure New York receives its fair share of homeland security funding. Now, more than seven years after September 11th 2001, our first line responders, the heart and soul of the Hudson Valley, are still not being properly supported. As the years have passed the national homeland security fund has become a cash cow for other states, many of which have a much lower security risk, to use and manipulate to fill their spending gaps.
Greg will be a driving force in reducing the size and scope of government while improving the capabilities of our first responders, and securing our border.
Greg Ball Hearing
Click to watch video
The bureaucratic nightmare that is the Department of Homeland Security will require independent solutions to ensure New York receives its fair share of homeland security funding. Now, more than seven years after September 11th 2001, our first line responders, the heart and soul of the Hudson Valley, are still not being properly supported. As the years have passed the national homeland security fund has become a cash cow for other states, many of which have a much lower security risk, to use and manipulate to fill their spending gaps.Greg will be a driving force in reducing the size and scope of government while improving the capabilities of our first responders, and securing our border.
Expanding Legal Immigration
Greg Ball believes that forming a secure border and fair immigration policy are the two most important steps we can take as a country.
Some elected officials turn the other way when confronted with a tough issue, but Greg Ball has been willing to roll up his sleeves and get the job done. Greg Ball is a pro-immigrant state legislator who will continue to lobby for efforts that will expand and streamline opportunities for legal immigration, but continue to fight the failed federal policy that forces 6 million people to wait in line an average of 7 years, needlessly.
During his service in the assembly, Greg Ball accomplished a great deal on this issue; fighting back local attempts to construct a workstation for illegal aliens using taxpayer dollars, stopping efforts of a local municipality to issue illegal aliens identification cards in coordination with the Guatemalan Consulate, fighting to recall 23,000 drivers licenses issued to temporary residents with no "temporary resident" stamp, and spearheading efforts against Governor Spitzer's insane plan to aid and support 1 million illegal aliens as well as the terrorists in their midst.
Greg Ball has always maintained that as a country, America has been a success because of our large immigrant population, not in spite of it. As a people, we are a blend of the world and throughout our history a healthy immigration policy, largely open, yet tightly regulated, has ensured a constant flow of new faces, bright minds, talented souls and strong backs into the mainstream of our population.
Some elected officials turn the other way when confronted with a tough issue, but Greg Ball has been willing to roll up his sleeves and get the job done. Greg Ball is a pro-immigrant state legislator who will continue to lobby for efforts that will expand and streamline opportunities for legal immigration, but continue to fight the failed federal policy that forces 6 million people to wait in line an average of 7 years, needlessly.
Greg Ball Debates the Arizona Immigration Law
Click to watch video
During his service in the assembly, Greg Ball accomplished a great deal on this issue; fighting back local attempts to construct a workstation for illegal aliens using taxpayer dollars, stopping efforts of a local municipality to issue illegal aliens identification cards in coordination with the Guatemalan Consulate, fighting to recall 23,000 drivers licenses issued to temporary residents with no "temporary resident" stamp, and spearheading efforts against Governor Spitzer's insane plan to aid and support 1 million illegal aliens as well as the terrorists in their midst.Greg Ball has always maintained that as a country, America has been a success because of our large immigrant population, not in spite of it. As a people, we are a blend of the world and throughout our history a healthy immigration policy, largely open, yet tightly regulated, has ensured a constant flow of new faces, bright minds, talented souls and strong backs into the mainstream of our population.
Energy Independence
Greg Ball comprehends the fundamental reality that with gas prices and oil imports rising dramatically with each passing year, our national security and prosperity requires that we chart a fresh course based upon renewable, cleaner energies.
As a State Senator, Greg will fight to develop an intelligent energy policy that comprehensively includes wind, geo-thermal, nuclear and other forms of clean energy and partners with the private sector to build green collar jobs here in the Hudson Valley.
As a community leader, Greg will work with labor, private industry and the education sector to make sure New York state has the energy needed to power our economy and the energy supply and infrastructure needed to grow and expand into the 21st century and beyond. We cannot build the New York and Hudson Valley of the future if our power sources are expensive and hard to come by.
Watch the Energy video
As a State Senator, Greg will fight to develop an intelligent energy policy that comprehensively includes wind, geo-thermal, nuclear and other forms of clean energy and partners with the private sector to build green collar jobs here in the Hudson Valley.
As a community leader, Greg will work with labor, private industry and the education sector to make sure New York state has the energy needed to power our economy and the energy supply and infrastructure needed to grow and expand into the 21st century and beyond. We cannot build the New York and Hudson Valley of the future if our power sources are expensive and hard to come by.
Watch the Energy video
Honoring Our Veterans
Greg Ball is wholly committed to taking care of the men and women who have put their lives on the line to protect our country through military service. Our veterans deserve the finest medical care, employment opportunities and education in the nation and we must provide substantive tax relief to keep veterans in this state.
Greg Ball has delivered thousands of dollars in grants to help our local veterans and introduced the legislation that was eventually enacted in the 2008 State Budget to provide free graduate and undergraduate college tuition at SUNY and CUNY institutions for combat veterans.
Our veterans deserve the finest medical care in the nation and we must provide substantive tax relief to veterans throughout the state. Greg Ball is fighting to keep the Montrose VA facility to be used as it was intended: for veteran's only, not private development. Ball also supported bipartisan efforts and bills to help ensure veterans have the mental health care they need and deserve Ensuring that all veterans have top-notch, timely medical treatment in a fully-funded VA health care system is a key priority for Greg.
Those who have served in uniform or been injured in action, as well as the survivors of those who have passed on or made the ultimate sacrifice must continue to have ready access to the benefits they have been promised and deserve.
Greg Ball has delivered thousands of dollars in grants to help our local veterans and introduced the legislation that was eventually enacted in the 2008 State Budget to provide free graduate and undergraduate college tuition at SUNY and CUNY institutions for combat veterans.
Our veterans deserve the finest medical care in the nation and we must provide substantive tax relief to veterans throughout the state. Greg Ball is fighting to keep the Montrose VA facility to be used as it was intended: for veteran's only, not private development. Ball also supported bipartisan efforts and bills to help ensure veterans have the mental health care they need and deserve Ensuring that all veterans have top-notch, timely medical treatment in a fully-funded VA health care system is a key priority for Greg.
Those who have served in uniform or been injured in action, as well as the survivors of those who have passed on or made the ultimate sacrifice must continue to have ready access to the benefits they have been promised and deserve.
Sportsmen’s Rights
The New York Rifle and Pistol Association honored Assemblyman Greg Ball as Legislator of the Year twice in a row, and he was presented the award by NRA President John Sigler.
Since being elected to the State Assembly, Greg Ball has supported law abiding gun owners by taking on microstamping and other anti second amendment initiatives.
Greg Ball was named the NSSF legislator of the year, awarded an "A+" rating from the NRA for his support of the Second Amendment, and was officially endorsed by the National Rifle Association.
While Assemblyman Ball may be in the minority, every law abiding gun owner and sportsman should know that Greg is fighting for their rights everyday in the Assembly, and will continue to do so in the State Senate.
Since being elected to the State Assembly, Greg Ball has supported law abiding gun owners by taking on microstamping and other anti second amendment initiatives.
Greg Ball was named the NSSF legislator of the year, awarded an "A+" rating from the NRA for his support of the Second Amendment, and was officially endorsed by the National Rifle Association.
While Assemblyman Ball may be in the minority, every law abiding gun owner and sportsman should know that Greg is fighting for their rights everyday in the Assembly, and will continue to do so in the State Senate.
Women’s Equality
In his first two terms in the assembly, Greg has won plaudits for his condemnation of false gender stereotypes, and legislative remedies on fair access to orders of protection, increased penalties for violators of restraining orders, cracking down on discriminatory housing practices for victims of domestic violence, supporting increased per diem rates for domestic violence shelters and introducing a "Glass Ceiling" bill to establish comprehensive entrepreneurial assistance for female small businesswomen.
Having a mom who worked several jobs and worked nights to keep her family strong, Greg Ball understands that most women have to work twice as hard to get a head . As a State Senator, Greg will address issues that affect women and their families, including access to health care for all women, crafting real policies to reduce violence against women, enhance victim's rights, and ensure that women are fairly compensated for their work.
Having a mom who worked several jobs and worked nights to keep her family strong, Greg Ball understands that most women have to work twice as hard to get a head . As a State Senator, Greg will address issues that affect women and their families, including access to health care for all women, crafting real policies to reduce violence against women, enhance victim's rights, and ensure that women are fairly compensated for their work.
Senior Issues
Greg Ball is a young man but he has great respect for his elders and will fight for seniors in the Senate!
Greg has supported legislation to help make New York safer and more affordable for our seniors. In 2008, Greg Ball stood up and voted against the bloated state budget, which gutted the enhanced STAR program.
To protect our seniors, Greg has voted against budget cuts to Medicaid and reimbursements for certified home-health agencies, long-term care programs and personal-care program providers. He also strongly criticized the omission of baseline funding for upstate home care infrastructure.
Greg will pursue measures to bargain for lower drug prices, provide for the safe and legal importation of prescription drugs and provide greater market access for generic drugs.
Both our seniors and health care providers look to Assemblyman Ball to continue to provide powerful leadership and unconventional solutions to the serious problems we face in the days ahead.
Greg has supported legislation to help make New York safer and more affordable for our seniors. In 2008, Greg Ball stood up and voted against the bloated state budget, which gutted the enhanced STAR program.
To protect our seniors, Greg has voted against budget cuts to Medicaid and reimbursements for certified home-health agencies, long-term care programs and personal-care program providers. He also strongly criticized the omission of baseline funding for upstate home care infrastructure.
Greg will pursue measures to bargain for lower drug prices, provide for the safe and legal importation of prescription drugs and provide greater market access for generic drugs.
Both our seniors and health care providers look to Assemblyman Ball to continue to provide powerful leadership and unconventional solutions to the serious problems we face in the days ahead.
Animal Protection
A 10 year member of 4-H and a pet owner since a child, Greg Ball has a soft spot in his heart for all of his four legged friends in the animal kingdom. Greg actually appointed an Animal Ambassador in his district office, a 4 year old Weimeraner named Hannah.
Greg has worked hand in hand with organizations like the American Human Society and local Animal Shelters to develop and implement legislation cracking down on the perpetrators of dog fighting, ending the inhumane practice of puppy and kitten mills and establishing tough legislation to eliminate real "canned hunting".
Greg has sponsored legislation that allows guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs to be allowed in public places during their training, legislation to prohibit the slaughter of horses for the purpose of human consumption and stiffen penalties for dog fighting, as well as "Charlemagne's Law" to eliminate the inhumane practice of operating puppy mills while prohibiting pet stores from selling dogs bred in these facilities.
In addition to his legislative efforts, Assemblyman Ball has secured numerous grants for local humane societies and animal protection organizations.
Greg has worked hand in hand with organizations like the American Human Society and local Animal Shelters to develop and implement legislation cracking down on the perpetrators of dog fighting, ending the inhumane practice of puppy and kitten mills and establishing tough legislation to eliminate real "canned hunting".
Greg has sponsored legislation that allows guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs to be allowed in public places during their training, legislation to prohibit the slaughter of horses for the purpose of human consumption and stiffen penalties for dog fighting, as well as "Charlemagne's Law" to eliminate the inhumane practice of operating puppy mills while prohibiting pet stores from selling dogs bred in these facilities.
In addition to his legislative efforts, Assemblyman Ball has secured numerous grants for local humane societies and animal protection organizations.
Autism
On the national level, the number of children diagnosed with autism has increased by 500 percent over the past ten years. In New York State alone, the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities serves 16,000 individuals with autism.
In many cases, families of children with autism are forced to cover treatment costs with personal funds, at costs that can range from $2,000 to $4,000 out-of-pocket per month. The Autism Society of America (ASA) estimates that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million.
Greg Ball was the first New York State Legislator to propose a statewide autism insurance bill, which received overwhelming support in the Assembly. The bill provides coverage for all individuals under age 21 for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) up to $36,000 per year.
In the Senate, he will fight to ensure families with autistic children receive the support they need, starting by mandating that existing programs, such as TRICARE, cover autism spectrum disorders.
In many cases, families of children with autism are forced to cover treatment costs with personal funds, at costs that can range from $2,000 to $4,000 out-of-pocket per month. The Autism Society of America (ASA) estimates that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million.
Greg Ball was the first New York State Legislator to propose a statewide autism insurance bill, which received overwhelming support in the Assembly. The bill provides coverage for all individuals under age 21 for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) up to $36,000 per year.
In the Senate, he will fight to ensure families with autistic children receive the support they need, starting by mandating that existing programs, such as TRICARE, cover autism spectrum disorders.
Health Care
Greg Ball understands that too many New Yorkers are faced with the dilemma of not being able to afford vital medical care. Greg supports efforts to allow physicians to practice "retainer medical care", strip away insurance company costs and red tape and make everyday medicine more accessible and less hectic.
Greg Ball has encouraged the use of EPIC and Medicare together so seniors pay the lowest copayment possible and receive the prescription drugs they need. He also knows that there is a tremendous amount of wasteful overhead in the state healthcare system and is working to surgically target spending to cut costs and improve the quality of care.
Greg knows that New York's nursing shortage has reached a critical level. He supports establishing nursing recruitment incentives and student loan forgiveness. During past budget negotiations, Greg Ball fought against the proposed cuts to medicare spending and baseline funding that adversely affected both our patients and our health care providers.
For small businesses, the backbone of our state’s economy, Assemblyman Ball is working to bring in market-based health plans for small businesses that are not now available in New York State.
Greg Ball is also taking on the insurance companies and fighting to provide a larger tax credit for long-term care insurance. Overall, he favors home and community-based care which helps keep patients close to their loved ones, and at a cost that is relatively affordable. Home care is not only cost-efficient, but it’s what patients want.
Greg Ball has encouraged the use of EPIC and Medicare together so seniors pay the lowest copayment possible and receive the prescription drugs they need. He also knows that there is a tremendous amount of wasteful overhead in the state healthcare system and is working to surgically target spending to cut costs and improve the quality of care.
Greg knows that New York's nursing shortage has reached a critical level. He supports establishing nursing recruitment incentives and student loan forgiveness. During past budget negotiations, Greg Ball fought against the proposed cuts to medicare spending and baseline funding that adversely affected both our patients and our health care providers.
For small businesses, the backbone of our state’s economy, Assemblyman Ball is working to bring in market-based health plans for small businesses that are not now available in New York State.
Greg Ball is also taking on the insurance companies and fighting to provide a larger tax credit for long-term care insurance. Overall, he favors home and community-based care which helps keep patients close to their loved ones, and at a cost that is relatively affordable. Home care is not only cost-efficient, but it’s what patients want.
Ball Petitions
NY Child Safety Zones
Protect your children – prohibit sexual offenders from going near them!
» Sign the Petition!
Audit The MTA Now!
Rescind the MTA Payroll tax! No more bailouts without an independent accounting!
» Sign the Petition!
Save Montrose!
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Veterans Hospital is being taken over by profiteers – stop them!
» Sign the Petition!