As Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee for 12 years, he sponsored bills to drop the state's tax on energy. He Is known as father of the "Power for Jobs" bill, which has resulted In the retention and creation of thousands of jobs in the Senator's district.

        The following businesses in the Senator's district have received cheaper energy under the Senator's law: Sanyo Sewing/Valley Fashion, Custom Electronics, Paul Bunyan Products, Borg Warner, Fingerlakes Aquaculture, Feldmeier Equipment, Chenango ARC, Corning Incorporated, Curtains and Fabrics, lntertek Testing Services, Fermer Precision, Mold-a-Matic and Cooper Hand Tools. The saved jobs run into the thousandsl

         As Chairman of a special panel on volunteer services, Senator Seward has championed state support for our rural fire departments, companies and emergency medical squads. He developed a state program which lends money to volunteer departments for fire equipment or new firehouses.

        In 1999, Senator Seward was appointed Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee. He has fought for tax relief for this vital part of New York's financial services industry, health insurance coverage and reform. The 50th District is home to major insurers like Preferred Mutual and New York Central Mutual which employ hundreds of area residents.

        Senator Seward has been a consistent advocate for education, securing state aid for local districts to offset rising taxes and to support technology and special education initiatives within his schools.

        Other Seward efforts include:

• supporting the STAR program as "the most significant school tax relief ever;"
   
• creating the "Breast Cancer Survivors' Initiative," which provides state assistance to  groups support survivors of breast cancer;
   
• saving New York thousands of dollars by passing legislation authorizing less expensive hospice residences;
   
• complete restructuring of the state's economic development programs;
   
• increased support for the State University system.

          Senator Jim Seward .... a senator for all the people!

Senator Jim Seward