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SENATOR WRIGHT ANNOUNCES HE WILL
LEAVE SENATE
Senator James W. Wright
(R-Watertown), Chairman of the Senate Energy and
Telecommunications Committee, announced December 12 his
intentions to resign at the end of the year. Senator
Wright will be joining Fleishman-Hillard Government
Relations Inc., serving as a co-chairman providing
strategic management.
"After
thirty-five years of public service, including fifteen
years in the State Senate, I am looking forward to new
challenges and this is an excellent opportunity. It will
enable me to utilize my knowledge and understanding of
government combined with my interest in renewable energy
policy and project development," said Senator Wright.
Fleishmann-Hillard
Government Relations is a national bi-partisan
government relations firm focused on delivering
measurable business value at the intersection of
government and business.
"I have
thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of representing the
people of my district for the past fifteen years. I
truly believe we were making a difference in the economy
of the region and the lives of its people. However, in
every career, there comes a time in which new
opportunities and new directions become available. I
made this decision not considering the politics, but
considering personal factors and the best interests of
my three children."
Senator Wright
has achieved recognition throughout his career, both as
a professional manager and state legislator, for his
work in local government, economic development and
energy development.
Senator Wright
has dedicated his career to public service, having
started as a child protective services caseworker in
Oswego County. The Senator quickly ascended through the
ranks of county government, and in 1979 was appointed as
the first County Administrator of Oswego County. He
served in that capacity until 1987, when he was then
appointed as the first County Administrator of Jefferson
County. He was successful in implementing various public
safety, environmental, economic development and
infrastructure projects in both counties, receiving
several honors for his achievements.
Senator Wright
has been Chairman of the Senate's Committee on Energy
and Telecommunications since 1998.
As Chairman of
the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, he
has been a key player in the energy arena and has helped
navigate New York's progression during the transition to
deregulation. Senator Wright was an important member of
the conference committee that created Power for Jobs,
and he has sponsored legislation to expand and extend
the program, most recently in 2007. This program
provides incentives in the form of low-cost power for
the private sector to retain and create jobs.
Senator Wright
was a leading advocate for capping the state sales tax
on gasoline. He has also been a leading advocate for the
reduction of energy taxes, specifically the Gross
Receipt Tax, repeal of the Gas Importation Privilege Tax
and the Petroleum Business Tax.
While serving
as Energy Chairman he initiated and sponsored numerous
alternative energy initiatives, including legislation
for agricultural wind net metering, commercial solar net
metering, and tax credits for biofuels development. In
the area of energy efficiency initiatives he has
sponsored legislation establishing standards for
residential and commercial appliances, replacement
tires, and light bulbs.
Long recognized
as an advocate for developing the rural economies of his
district, Senator Wright was instrumental in
facilitating state funding initiatives for cellulosic
fuel research and development ($20 million);
construction of a corn-ethanol facility ($4 million); a
regional fiber optic network ($7.5 million) improving
telecommunications; and the establishment of a new
technical services support call center ($15 million)
employing over 800 individuals.
Senator Wright
has enjoyed a strong working relationship with the
business community, having been recognized by the
Business Council of New York State, the state's leading
business organization, for his legislative voting
record. For three straight years Senator Wright earned
the grade of "A" on the Business Council's legislative
"report card." The Council released its first-ever
"report card" in 2004, ranking state legislators on a
"Vote for Jobs Index." He has achieved the highest score
among the state’s legislators each year.
Senator Wright
graduated from the State University of New York at
Oswego in 1971, and attended the Maxwell School of
Public Administration at Syracuse University. He was
selected for participation in the Local Government
Public Administration Internship at Harvard University,
Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior
Executives, and the United States Army War College
National Security Seminar. He has also served as an
adjunct faculty member and a private consultant. He was
honored in 2000 by Oswego State University with the
Lifetime Award of Merit, in 2002 by Jefferson Community
College with the Jefferson Citation, in 2007 by Clarkson
University with the Bertrand H. Snell Award, and again
in 2007 by Oswego State with the Presidential Medal.
"I am fully
confident my decision will not adversely impact the
Senate Majority. The district is currently well served
and represented by Assembly members Dede Scozzafava and
Will Barclay, either of whom would make an excellent
senator," said Senator Wright.
Senator Wright,
who will continue to reside in Watertown, is the father
of three children; Alison, Conner and Alec Wright.
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