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| footnotes = [http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=099&sh=bio Official Biography]<ref name="officialbio">"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=099&sh=bio Official Biography of Assemblyman Greg Ball]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref>
| footnotes = [http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=099&sh=bio Official Biography]<ref name="officialbio">"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=099&sh=bio Official Biography of Assemblyman Greg Ball]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref>
}}
}}
'''Gregory R. Ball''' (born [[September 16]], [[1977]]) is an [[United States|American]] business executive, former active duty [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] officer and member of the [[New York State Assembly]]. Assemblyman Ball serves as the [[ranking member]] on the [[veterans|Veteran's Affairs]] committee, and was the author of the measure enacted in the 2008 New York State budget offering free college [[tuition]] to military
'''Gregory R. Ball''' (born [[September 16]], [[1977]]) is an [[United States|American]] business executive, former active duty [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] officer and member of the [[New York State Assembly]]. Assemblyman Ball serves as the [[ranking member]] on the [[veterans|Veteran's Affairs]] committee, and was the author of the measure enacted in the 2008 New York State budget offering free college [[tuition]] to military [[veterans]].<ref>"[http://www.westchester.com/Westchester_News/Government/Veterans_To_Receive_Free_Suny_Tuition_200804159585.html Veterans To Receive Free SUNY Tuition]". ''[http://westchester.com Westchester.com]''. [[April 15]], [[2008]].</ref> He has risen to prominence for his views on [[illegal immigration|immigration]], and has been named a Chairman of Lawmakers for Legal Immigration, an immigration reform group.<ref name="teddyroosevelt">Ball, Greg. "[http://assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/099/20080331/ Standing up against illegal economy based exploitation]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. [[March 31]], [[2008]].</ref> He is a resident of [[Carmel, New York|Carmel]], [[New York]].


Assemblyman Ball is also a member of the Election Law; Energy; Housing; and Social Services Committees.<ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=099&sh=com Committee memberships]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> He represents [[New York's 99th assembly district]] which comprises the towns [[Patterson, New York|Patterson]], [[Mahopac, New York|Mahopac]], [[Carmel, New York|Carmel]], [[Southeast, New York|Southeast]], [[Putnam Lake, New York|Putnam Lake]] and [[Brewster, New York|Brewster]], in [[Putnam County, New York|Putnam County]]; [[Yorktown, New York|Yorktown]], [[Mohegan Lake, New York|Mohegan Lake]], [[Somers, New York|Somers]], and [[North Salem, New York|North Salem]] in [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester County]]; and both [[Pawling (town), New York|Pawling]] and [[Pawling (village), New York|Pawling Village]] in [[Dutchess County, New York|Duchess County]].
Greg BALL is a LOSER and his STAFF using taxpayer-funded computers to edit his Wikipeida information on taxpayer paid work days is largely illegal. His anti-Hispanic rhetoric is just another example of Italian-Americans mostly being against Hispanics. An absolute failure in the Assembly.

Beginning his political career in [[2005]], he defeated six-term incumbent [[Willis Stephens]] in a primary in [[September]] of [[2006]], running of a platform of reforming the legislature in [[Albany, New York|Albany]]. Since being elected, Ball has been active in issues involving school and property tax reform, second amendment rights, animal protection, the environment, renewable energy and conservation, veteran's affairs, and illegal immigration. He is often mentioned as a possible candidate for higher office, and has referred to himself as "Albany’s loudest advocate for reform."<ref>Benjamin, Elizabeth. "[http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/4249 Reform Advocate No. 1?]". ''[[Albany Times-Union]]''. [[March 29]], [[2007]].</ref>

== Early career and background ==
[[Image:gregball10.jpg|220px|thumb|right|Air Force Captain Greg Ball graduated from the United States Air Force Academy.<ref name="jpgreen"/>]]
Ball was born in [[Pawling, New York|Pawling]], [[New York]], and grew up on the Kennedy estate of Stephen and [[Jean Kennedy|Jean Kennedy-Smith]], sister of [[President of the United States|President]] [[John F. Kennedy]], where his parents were both caretakers.<ref name="feet">Klein, Benjamin. "[http://www.legislativegazette.com/read_more.php?story=1874&searchstr=Greg%20Ball Ball looks to hold people’s feet to the fire]". ''[[Legislative Gazette]]''. [[January 16]], [[2007]].</ref> He attended the prestigious [[Valley Forge Military Academy and College|Valley Forge Military Academy]] before receiving an appointment to the [[United States Air Force Academy]] from Congresswoman [[Sue Kelly]].<ref name="officialbio"/> He was the first member of his family to attend college.<ref name="campaignbio">"[http://www.ball4ny.com/about.aspx About Greg]". ''[http://www.assemblymangball.com/ Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> Ball received a [[Bachelors of Arts]] in Government in 2001.<ref name="officialbio"/> He is currently completing a Masters thesis in [[International Affairs]] at [[Georgetown University]], and was a [[fellow]] at the [[Center for the Study of the Presidency]] from 2002 to 2003.<ref>Henderson, Robert E., ed. "[http://www.thepresidency.org/Publications/fellowspublications.html A Dialogue on the Presidency with a New Generation of Leaders: Papers of the 2002-2003 Center Fellows]". Washington, DC: [http://www.thepresidency.org CSP], 2003.</ref> Ball is a board member of the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, and is a member of several area [[Chambers of Commerce]] and business associations.<ref>"[http://www.usafa.org/about/governance/BoardCommittees.aspx Committees of the Board]". ''[http://www.usafa.org Air Force Academy Association of Graduates]''. Retrieved on [[February 26]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Greene, Mae. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18784866&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=8 Chamber of Commerce awardees]". ''[http://pawlingnewschronicle.com Pawling News-Chronicle]''. [[September 7]], [[2007]].</ref>

Ball initially interned in the [[White House]] [[ONDCP|Drug Policy Office]] during the term of President [[Bill Clinton]] and was then assigned to the [[11th Wing]] as a [[Aide-de-camp|protocol officer]] to the [[Secretary of the Air Force]] and the [[Air Force Chief of Staff]].<ref name="jpgreen">"I was honored to serve as Greg Ball’s mentor while he was in the U.S. Air Force. When Greg was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant at the United States Air Force Academy, I was honored to pin on his rank and commission him as a young officer. As Greg excelled through the ranks and was promoted to Captain, I was honored to watch Greg perform as an outstanding young officer. Greg Ball graduated from the Air Force Academy, served in the White House Drug Policy Office, lived on Capitol Hill, and served in the 11th Wing in our Nation’s capital working directly for four star generals in the Pentagon and throughout the National Capitol Region. Few Lieutenants are chosen for such a demanding position."&ndash;[[Colonel|Col.]] Joseph P. Green, [[United States Air Force|USAF (Ret.)]], [http://www.newscopy.org/2006/06/99th_balls_mili.html E-Mail to Bob Fois]. [[June 6]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>"VOTER'S GUIDE: 99th state Assembly District". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[October 29]], [[2006]].</ref> He was awarded an achievement medal for outstanding service by [[General (United States)|General]] [[John P. Jumper]] and was honorably discharged from active duty in January of [[2005]] at the rank of [[Captain (OF-2)|Captain]].<ref name="officialbio"/><ref>Benson, John. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15827256&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=6 Town of Pawling 2005 Year in Review]". ''[http://pawlingnewschronicle.com Pawling News-Chronicle]''. [[December 29]], [[2005]].</ref> Ball remains in the [[Individual Ready Reserve|U.S. Air Force Ready Reserve]].<ref>Benson, John. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=17343190&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=8 Community salutes military families]". ''[http://www.pawlingnewschronicle.com Pawling News-Chronicle]''. [[December 20]], [[2006]].</ref>

Upon his separation from active duty, Ball returned to New York to work for [[Exceed International]], a commercial development corporation, eventually becoming an Executive Vice President in the Northeast division.<ref name="officialbio"/><ref name="exceed">"[http://www.exceedintl.com/aboutus.asp The Next Economy]". ''[http://www.exceedintl.com/ Exceed International]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> In [[2006]], Exceed proposed a $75 million urban renewal project for the village of [[Brewster, New York|Brewster]] which would generate some $2 million a year in tax revenue for the town.<ref name="exceed1">"[http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=16351907&BRD=1708&PAG=461&dept_id=72445&rfi=8 Plans call for $75 million urban renewal project of village's downtown]". ''[http://www.putnamcountycourier.com Putnam County Courier]''. [[March 24]], [[2006]].</ref> Village Mayor John Degnan noted that "All of the infrastructure work recently completed by defining our identity within the watershed has paid off. Brewster finds itself in a situation where people are eagerly interested in working with the village in partnership to see our village revitalized".<ref name="exceed1"/>

==Political career==
===2006 election===
{{seealso|New York's 99th assembly district#2006 election}}
[[Image:gregball1.jpg|thumb|280px|right|Greg Ball, a Vice President of Exceed International Corporation, during an economic development tour of India in 2005.<ref name="officialbio"/>]]
In early [[2005]], Ball announced his candidacy for State Assembly as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and stated he would attempt to unseat the incumbent Assemblyman [[Will Stephens]] in a primary.<ref name="stephens1">{{

Cite news
|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,161094,00.html
|publisher=''[[Associated Press]]''
|author=Wagenseil, Paul
|title=Politician Tells Voters They’re Idiots
|date=[[June 30]], [[2005]]

}}</ref><ref>"Pawling man seeks GOP support for Assembly". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[May 31]], [[2005]].</ref> Stephens' family had held the seat nearly continuously for eighty years: his grandfather, [[D. Mallory Stephens]], represented the district from 1926 to 1952; his father, Willis Stephens Sr., held the seat from 1952 to 1982; and Stephens himself served from 1994 to 2006.<ref>"[http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/stephens.html Index to Politicians: Stephens]". ''[http://politicalgraveyard.com The Political Graveyard]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> Ball received over $110,000 in campaign contributions for the race.<ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2006/07/17/gregs-been-spending/ Greg’s been spending]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[July 13]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>"[http://www.elections.state.ny.us/plsql_browser/efs_summary_page?comid_in=A18887&rdate_in=15-JUL-2006&reportid_in=K&eyear_in=2006 New Yorkers on the Ball. 2006 July Periodic Report Summary Page]". ''[http://www.elections.state.ny.us/ New York State Board of Elections]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> He was placed on the primary ballot by the signature of over 1800 petitioners.<ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2006/07/11/balls-in-or-at-least-his-paperwork-is/ Ball’s in or at least his paperwork is]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[July 11]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>"Pawling man sets his sights on state Assembly seat". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[April 27]], [[2005]].</ref>

At times Ball's campaign was noted for its unorthodoxy, including hiring a man in a chicken suit to follow around the incumbent after Stephens refused to debate him.<ref name="chicken">Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2006/05/31/the-chicken-suit-has-been-mothballed-sort-of/ The chicken suit has been mothballed, sort of]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[May 31]], [[2006]].</ref> Ball again garnered attention at an event in August of 2006 where he carried trash bags to a press conference and drew attention to Stephens, who also served as the legal counsel to the town of Southeast, New York, for having accepted $9,355 from Waste Hauling CEO, convicted [[felon]] and reputed mob boss [[James Galante]], who was later awarded a $1.5 million no-bid garbage contract by the town board on Stephens' recommendation.<ref name="stephens2">{{

Cite news
|url= http://ncnlocal.com/archives/archives_2006/8-23-06/topstory.htm
|publisher= ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''
|author=Barron, Sam
|title=Ball Fires at Will
|date=[[August 23]], [[2006]]

}}</ref> He was joined at this event by his eventual opponent in the general election, [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Ken Harper]].<ref name="stephens2"/> Both Ball and Harper referred to the State Legislature as "dysfunctional" during their campaigns.<ref>"[http://www.smartvoter.org/2006/11/07/ny/state/race/nyasm099/questions.html Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues]". ''[[League of Women Voters]]''. Retrieved [[February 28]], [[2007]].</ref>

On [[September 12]], [[2006]], in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Primary for New York's 99th District, Ball defeated Stephens in a landslide with 70.4% (5,165 votes) to 29.6% (2,176 votes) for Stephens, the lowest vote total for any incumbent running for reelection to the State Assembly that day.<ref>Lopriore, Danny. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=1203 Ball Rolls]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. [[September 13]], [[2006]].</ref><ref name="stephens3">{{

Cite news
|url= http://www.ny1.com/ny/Election/2006primary/index.html?page_name=assembly
|publisher=''[[NY1|NY1 News]]''
|title=Primary 2006
|date=[[September]] [[2006]]

}}</ref> Stephens was the victim of a negative campaign, and cited mailings that were distributed calling him a 'country-club liberal' and highlighting his close relationship with Assembly Speaker [[Sheldon Silver]].<ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2006/08/10/strange-bedfellows/ Strange bedfellows]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[August 10]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>Rentz, Neal. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/archives/archives_2006/8-30-06/news3.htm Nasty Race for State Assembly Seat Nears Finish Line]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. [[August 30]], [[2006]].</ref> However, Stephens himself drew criticism when he refused to repudiate a letter about challenger Greg Ball which falsely claimed Mr. Ball had received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Air Force.<ref>Fois, Bob. "[http://www.newscopy.org/2006/05/more_on_99th_ch.html More On 99th: Cheap Shots On Military]". ''[http://www.newscopy.org News Copy]''. [[May 25]], [[2006]].</ref><ref name="five">{{Cite news
|url= http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060913/NEWS02/609130362/1020/NEWS04
|publisher=''[[The Journal News]]''
|title=Ball Defeats incumbent Stephens for GOP Line in Assembly Race
|date=September 2006}}</ref><ref>"Foe questions ethics of assemblyman's mailing". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[March 8]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>Fois, Bob. "[http://www.newscopy.org/2006/06/99th_balls_mili.html 99th: Ball's military record assailed]". ''[http://www.newscopy.org News Copy]''. [[June 29]], [[2006]].</ref> Ball did not dispute that he ran hard for his seat, knocking on 10,000 doors prior to the primary.<ref name="nyt1"/>

Due to New York's [[electoral fusion]] system, the Assemblyman had vowed to remain in the race on the [[Conservative Party of New York|Conservative]] and [[Independence Party of New York|Independence]] lines.<ref>Wilbur, Martin. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=1392 Stephens drops out of race against Ball to pursue bench]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. [[December 10]], [[2006]].</ref> Ultimately, Stephens decided to withdraw from the race altogether, instead taking a nomination for a Judgeship on the [[New York State Supreme Court]] in [[Queens, New York|Queens]], in order to allow Ball ballot access on the Independence and Conservative lines.<ref>{{Cite news
|url= http://www.newscopy.org/2006/09/99th_assembly_d.html
|publisher=''[http://www.newscopy.org News Copy]''
|title=99th Assembly District Race - Now the Fun
|date=[[September 14]], [[2006]]}}</ref> Although Stephens attempted to have his name removed from the ballot, Ken Harper, the Democratic nominee, sued the State Board of Elections claiming that Stephens had filed a certificate declining his nomination eight days too late.<ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2006/10/27/stephens-stays-off-ballot/ Stephens stays off ballot]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[October 27]], [[2006]].</ref> The [[New York Court of Appeals]] eventually ruled that Stephens name should remain on the ballot.<ref>"[http://www.loislaw.com/ogpc/login.htp?WSRet=12&dockey=19892277@NYCASE&OLDURL=/gpc/index.htp HARPER v. NY STATE BD. OF ELECTIONS, 34 A.D.3d 919 (3d Dept 2006) No. 501448]". ''[[New York Court of Appeals|New York Appellate Division Reports]]''. [[November 2]], [[2006]].</ref>

Despite Stephens name remaining on the ballot, Ball went on to win a plurality of votes in the general election on [[November 6]], [[2006]].<ref name="election1"/><ref>Lopriore, Danny. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=1576 Republican survives Democrat wave to win]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. [[November 22]], [[2006]].</ref> He was also buoyed by endorsements from the ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]'', [[Fraternal Order of Police]], [[Putnam County, New York|Putnam County]] [[Sheriff]] [[Donald B. Smith]] and [[Duchess County, New York|Duchess County]] [[Sheriff]] Butch Anderson prior to the election.<ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2006/10/30/sheriffs-got-their-man/ Sheriffs got their man]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[October 30]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>"Ball has earned chance to serve". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[October 21]], [[2006]].</ref> His upset victory earned him the title of "Newsmaker of the Year" from one local publication and he also shared a front-page cover ''[[The Journal News]]'' with fellow upset winer [[John Hall (New York)|John Hall]] the day after the election.<ref>Stone, Adam. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=1701 Greg Ball, John Hall]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. [[December 30]], [[2006]].</ref>
<table>
<tr>
<td>{{Listen|filename=Greg_Ball_on_Fair_Game_with_Faith_Salie.ogg|title=Ball on the air|description=Assemblyman Greg Ball's appearance on ''[[Fair Game (radio)|Fair Game with Faith Salie]]''.<ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/02/28/ball-on-the-air/ Ball on the air]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[February 28]], [[2007]].</ref>|format=[[Ogg]]}}
</td>
<td>{{Listen|filename=Greg_Ball_Assembly_Open_Door.ogg|title=Assembly Open Door|description=An excerpt from Assembly Greg Ball's weekly "Open Door" radio show, discussing 287(g) legislation.<ref>"[http://ball4ny.com/multimedia.aspx Leadership matters]". ''[http://assemblymanball.com Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved [[May 20]], [[2008]].</ref>|format=[[Ogg]]}}
</td>
<td>{{Listen|filename=Greg_Ball_interview_with_Todd_Rundgren.ogg|title=Interview with Greg Ball|description=A ''[[List of newspapers in New York|North County News]]'' interview with Assemblyman Greg Ball.<ref>Rundgren, Todd. "[http://blog.northcountynews.com/ncnblog/?p=26 Greg Ball interview]". ''[http://ncnlocal.com North County News]''. [[December 26]], [[2006]].</ref>|format=[[Ogg]]}}
</td>
</tr>
</table>

===First term (2007 &ndash; )===
[[Image:gregball3.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Former Active Duty Air Force Captain Gregory R. Ball participates in the 2007 Veterans Day parade of Pawling, NY carrying the flag of the POW-MIA.<ref name="officialbio"/>]]Ball has stated that "since my election victory, we have made extraordinary progress by elevating the debate on tough issues like taxes, illegal immigration and dysfunction in Albany."<ref name="ruledout"/><ref>"GOP legislators tout 'Road to Reform'". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[April 21]], [[2007]].</ref> He was sworn into office on [[January 8]], [[2007]].<ref>Kramer, Catherine. "[http://www.legislativegazette.com/read_more.php?story=1851&searchstr=Greg%20Ball Democrats don’t have monopoly on reform]". ''[[Legislative Gazette]]''. [[January 8]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>"Valley Republicans take Assembly oath". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[January 3]], [[2007]].</ref> The first time Ball rose to speak in the Assembly chamber, he called the legislature "dysfunctional", and withstood boos from his colleagues.<ref>Hammond, Bill. "[http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2007/02/my-voice-will-be-heard.html My voice will be heard]". ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]''. [[February 8]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>{{cite episode
| title = Joint Legislative Session
| url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAojIFQczLA
| series = [[New York State Assembly]]
| network = [http://www.senate.state.ny.us/senatehomepage.nsf/SenNetTV?OpenForm SenNet TV]
| airdate = 2007-02-07
}}</ref><ref>Gallagher, Jay. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/03/06/different-tune-from-freshman-putnam-lawmaker/ Different tune from freshman Putnam lawmaker]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[March 6]], [[2007]].</ref> He was unhappy because lawmakers voted to elect a colleague, [[Thomas DiNapoli]] as the new State Comptroller, disregarding the recommendations of a bipartisan panel appointed by former [[Governor of New York|Governor]] [[Eliot Spitzer]] consisting of former state Comptrollers who suggested three separate finalists and had not found DiNapoli to be qualified for the job.<ref name="gregballtruereformer">"[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-29551972_ITM The true reformers: The 56 state legislators who refused to support Thomas DiNapoli for comptroller constitute an honor roll]". ''[[Albany Times-Union]]''. [[February 9]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>Cooper, Michael. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/08/nyregion/08comptroller.html?_r=1&hp&ex=1170997200&en=f63b13cba91f4851&ei=5094&partner=homepage&oref=slogin" Legislators Pick a Comptroller, Defying Spitzer]". ''[[New York Times]]''. [[February 8]], [[2007]].</ref> The next day, Governor Spitzer called Ball to express support for his sentiments.<ref name="eliotphone">Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/02/09/eliots-on-the-phone/ Eliot's on the phone]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[February 9]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>"Newcomer Ball slowly learns ropes". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[January 17]], [[2007]].</ref>

Ball stated that "It was not easy getting up as the new guy and standing up to tell a group of people what they don’t want to hear" but his speech became so popular that soon dozens of reporters began calling, he appeared on [[Fox News]], excerpts from the floor speech popped up on numerous political blogs, his campaign web site received so many visits that its server crashed, and, a [[YouTube]] video of his remarks was ranked 80th among new videos the day it was uploaded.<ref name="nyt1">Confessore, Nicholas. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/10/nyregion/10assemblyman.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all Scolding Peers, Legislator Draws Notice]". ''[[New York Times]]''. [[February 10]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>"Colleagues boo freshman during scolding of Assembly". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[February 8]], [[2007]].</ref> Although the remarks were contentious, they echoed a fifty-six page study from the nonpartisan [[New York University]] [[New York University School of Law|School of Law's]] [[Brennan Center for Justice]], which referred to the legislature as "the least deliberative and most dysfunctional in the nation".<ref>Creelan, Jeremy and Moulton, Laura. "[http://brennan.3cdn.net/1f4d5e4fa546eaa9cd_fxm6iyde5.pdf The New York State Legislative Process: An evaluation and blueprint for reform]". ''[[New York University School of Law]] [[Brennan Center for Justice]]''. Retrieved on [[February 28]], [[2008]].</ref>

====State and local tax reform====
Ball again joined Spitzer, this time calling for property tax reform, and proposed an [[Inflation-indexed bond|inflation-indexed]] cap on spending and school and [[property 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%20Ball 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><ref>Haavie, Erikah. "[http://www.midhudsoncentral.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19514057&BRD=1706&PAG=461&dept_id=72001&rfi=6 Board encourages Assembly to focus on school tax relief]". ''[[The Register-Herald]]''. [[April 24]], [[2008]].</ref> Ball has proposed measures to cap or eliminate the [[excise tax|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 is also in favor of [[Tax reform|school tax reform]], and has called New York State's School Tax Relief (STAR) Program a "band-aid".<ref name="pawl410">Macura, Susan. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19464957&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=6 Ball hosts Pawling Town Hall meeting]". ''[http://pawlingnewschronicle.com/ Pawling News Chronicle]''. [[April 10]], [[2008]].</ref> Governor David Paterson also hinted that he feels the STAR program has been ineffective in an April 2008 interview with [[WGDJ|WGDJ Talk 1300]]<ref>Spector, Joseph. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/04/21/paterson-maybe-star-should-be-cut/ Paterson: Maybe STAR should be cut]". ''[[Journal News]]''. [[April 21]], [[2008]].</ref>, and said the program may be cut or changed in the future.<ref>"[http://www2.nysun.com/article/74381 David Paterson, Neocon?]". ''[[New York Sun]]''. [[April 9]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Spector, Joseph. "[http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080422/NEWS01/804220348/1006 Paterson may take aim at STAR rebates]". ''[[Press & Sun-Bulletin]]''. [[April 22]], [[2008]].</ref>

He has voted dozens of times against any bill that proposes tax increases<ref>Wieland, James. "[http://yonkersinsider.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/news-from-assemblyman-ball-4/ News from Assemblyman Ball]". ''[http://yonkersinsider.wordpress.com Yonkers Insider]''. [[June 27]], [[2007]].</ref>, 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, New York|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>

[[Image:gregball4.jpg|thumb|256px|right|Assemblyman Ball participated in Greasestock, an event in Yorktown, NY to encourage the use of renewable energy sources.<ref name="greenstock">"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/099/20080212/ Fuel Prices Are Out of Control]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. [[February 12]], [[2008]]. Retrieved on [[February 25]], [[2008]].</ref>]]Ball felt that the County legislature could have eliminated more "[[Pork-barrel spending|pork]]" 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, [[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 [[Westchester County Board of Legislators|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> Hundreds of residents of Putnam County demonstrated outside Bondi's office in opposition to the tax increase, which was defeated.<ref>Brenner, Elsa. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/realestate/07wczo.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss Taxes climb and tempers flare]". ''[[New York Times]]''. [[October 7]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>"[http://www.putnamcountyny.com/finance/file/budget12.pdf Budget 2008]". ''[[Putnam County, New York|Putnam County]] [http://www.putnamcountyny.com/finance/ Finance Department]''. Retrieved [[April 23]], [[2008]].</ref>

Ball pledged to deliver an [[Empire Zone]] to Putnam County during his campaign, and this became a reality in February of 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 [[501(c)(3)]] non-profit organizations.<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><ref>"[http://westchestertimestribune.typepad.com/my_weblog/files/WTT-2-44-Web.pdf Ball Announces Grants for Town Of Somers]". ''[http://westchestertimestribune.typepad.com Westchester Times Tribune]''. [[July 7]], [[2007]].</ref>

====Reaction to Governor Spitzer's resignation====
{{mainarticle|Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal}}
Although both Spitzer and Ball had been elected on platforms of reform,<ref>"[http://westchestertimestribune.typepad.com/my_weblog/files/wttvol.2%20Issue24-Web.pdf Ball and Spitzer Standing Up for Reform]". ''[http://westchestertimestribune.typepad.com Westchester Times Tribune]''. [[February 15]], [[2007]].</ref> Ball called on the Governor to resign when the ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that Spitzer had patronized a [[prostitution]] service called [[Emperors Club VIP]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/nyregion/07prostitution.html |title=Four Charged With Running Online Prostitution Ring |first=Alan |last=Feuer |date=2008-03-07 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and met with a [[call girl]] under the alias "George Fox".<ref name="cnn080310">{{cite web |url = http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/10/spitzer/index.html |title = Sources: Spitzer under prostitution investigation |author = CNN |date = 2008-03-10 |accessdate = 2008-03-10}}</ref><ref name = "NYTProst">{{cite web |url= http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/nyregion/10cnd-spitzer.html?_r=1&hp |title= Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring |accessdate= 2008-03-10 |last= Hakim |first= Danny |authorlink=
|coauthors= William K. Rashbaum |date= [[March 10]], [[2008]] |work= N.Y. / Region |publisher= [[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

{{Quotation|Over the past year, my initial optimism has been replaced with a realistic view of an unfortunate Governor who has become a kamikaze pilot on cruise control. First gay marriage, then a budget so bloated it made drunken sailors cringe, then driver's licenses for illegal aliens, and now this. Lawmakers in Albany have been prostituting themselves to lobbyists and special interests for decades, but this Governor has evidently taken it to a whole new level. Early in my term as a new Assemblyman, I put my partisanship aside and looked forward to everything changing on 'Day One.' Indeed, maybe naïvely, I was actually optimistic of this Governor's ability to take on the entrenched special interests in a non-partisan fashion and finally bring needed reform. Our hopes for reform have once again been sunk by the politics of personal destruction and incompetence. This madness needs to end, and we have to finally begin focusing on the real issues: tax reform, ethics reform, term limits and a balanced budget.|Greg Ball<ref>"[http://ball4ny.com/blogEntry.aspx?entryID=116 Governor Spitzer caught in prostitution ring]". ''[http://assemblymanball.com/ Ball for Assembly]''. [[March 11]], [[2008]].</ref>}}

The Governor announced his resignation the day after Ball's comments, and left office on [[March 17]], [[2008]].<ref name="NYT-2008-03-12-Spitzer Resignation Text">
{{cite journal
| author=Eliot Spitzer
| title=Full Text of Spitzer Resignation| journal=New York Times
| year=March 12, 2008
| url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/full-text-of-spitzer-resignation
| accessdate= 2008-03-12
}}</ref> He was replaced by his [[Lieutenant Governor of New York|Lieutenant Governor]], [[David Paterson]].<ref name="NYT-2008-03-13-Confessore-Peters">{{cite news | first=Nicholas | last= Confessore | coauthors= Jeremy W. Peters | title= Hope for Harmony in a Shaken Albany
| date= March 13, 2008 | publisher= | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/nyregion/13albany.html | work = New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2008-03-17 }}</ref> Ball stated that "My heart and prayers go out to Mrs. Spitzer and the Spitzer family. Yet my heart also goes out to the millions of New Yorkers, of all political persuasions, who voted for this man believing that he, Spitzer, would finally champion the cause of the people and work to clean up Albany... Immediately, as a member of the Legislature, I will now welcome the new Governor. I look forward to a new, fresh start."<ref name = 'Newsday-2008-03-12-Mansfield'>
{{cite news
|url= http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stagen0312,0,6475399.story
|work= [[Newsday]]
|title= Paterson expected to stick to Spitzer's agenda
|first= Melissa
|last= Mansfield
|date= 2008-03-12
|accessdate=2008-03-12
}}</ref><ref>"[http://ball4ny.com/blogEntry.aspx?entryID=125 Governor Spitzer resigns]". ''[http://ball4assembly.com Ball for Assembly]''. [[March 18]], [[2008]].</ref>

====Free college tuition for veterans====
[[Image:gregball8.jpg|thumb|239px|right|Ball announces his legislation that created a tuition remission program for veterans was passed by the State Legislature as part of the 2008-09 State Budget in April of 2008.<ref>"[http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880407001 Your legislators]". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[April 13]], [[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 authored the bill that created the 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><ref>Scott, Larry. "[http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfAPR08/nf041608-6.htm COMBAT VETS, GOING BACK TO VIETNAM, TO GET FREE TUITION AT N.Y. STATE UNIVERSITIES]". ''[http://www.vawatchdog.org VA Watchdog]''. [[April 16]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>"[http://westchester-1.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1086&Itemid=3027 Veterans To Receive Free Suny Tuition]". ''[http://westchester-1.com Westchester-1]''. [[April 15]], [[2008]].</ref> Although the first bill did not make it out of committee in 2007, after Governor Spitzer called on the Assembly to pass such a measure, Ball reintroduced the legislation and garnered 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> Previously, the State of New York Higher Education Services Corporation offered 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>

Ball's legislation was picked up by the entire Assembly Republican Conference through their 2008 legislative package.<ref name="vetsbill1">"[http://ball4ny.com/BlogEntry.aspx?entryID=162 Ball delivers for veterans]". ''[http://ball4ny.com Ball for Assembly]''. [[April 8]], [[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> Governor Eliot Spitzer included the measure in his 2008 executive [[budget]] proposal, and the measure was kept funded in Governor David Paterson's version.<ref>"[http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/fy0809artVIIbills/ELFAConsBMwtoc.htm#partN Part N – Amend the Education Law in relation to tuition assistance for veterans], [http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/0809_budgetPublications.html#art7 Memorandum in Support Article VII Legislation, Education, Labor, and Family Assistance], [http://www.budget.state.ny.us/pubs/enacted/enacted.html Enacted Budget], [http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/ExecutiveBudget.html 2008-09 New York State Executive Budget]." ''[[New York State]] [http://www.budget.state.ny.us/index.html Division of the Budget]''. Retrieved [[April 11]], [[2008]].</ref>

The landmark legislation created a tuition remission program for veterans, and was passed by both houses of the State Legislature as Part N, Article 7 of the $121.7 billion 2008-09 state budget State Budget.<ref>"The veteran community would like to thank the governor, Senate, Assembly, and Assemblyman Greg Ball, R-Carmel, ranking minority member of the Assembly Veteran Affairs Committee, for proposing and passing into law the New York State G.I. Bill. After Assemblyman Ball introduced the legislation ... this landmark program was included in the executive budget proposal, as well as in the budget plans submitted by both houses of the legislature. Assemblyman Ball first introduced this proposal in May of 2007 and we thank the Legislature for its quick action on this important bill. This legislation will afford a combat vet up to four years of free tuition at a SUNY or CUNY campus. This opportunity offers a good start to remove the many obstacles our service men and women face when they come home and assimilate back into the community. Assemblyman Ball and his colleagues are to be applauded for making this bill a top legislative priority. That landmark has been included in the 2008-09 state budget at a $2 million level of funding. This was a great victory for the thousands of veterans it will help. Indeed, it is incumbent upon all of us to get the word out to all of New York's combat veterans to take advantage of this historic program."&ndash;Joseph Franklin, Chairman of the National Disabled Veterans Business Council. [http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080501/OPINION/805010428/-1/SPORTS Letter to the Editor], [[May 1]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>"[http://ball4ny.com/blogEntry.aspx?entryID=166 Ball to announce enactment of landmark program to provide Veterans with free college tuition]". ''[http://ball4ny.com Ball for Assembly]''. [[April 10]], [[2008]].</ref> The Assemblyman was pleased that the program was fully funded by the budget, but stated "there is much more we can do and I am proud to stand here today to call on my colleagues in both houses, on both sides of the aisle, to honor our veterans and thank them for their service through enactment of legislation that will help improve their quality of life."<ref>Neroulias, Nicole. "[http://veterans.lohudblogs.com/2008/04/10/new-york-budget-funds-veterans-tuition-assistance/ New York's new budget funds veterans tuition assistance]". ''[[Journal News]]''. [[April 10]], [[2008]].</ref> Ball and the Republican Assembly minority conference eventually voted against the Assembly's version of the budget, citing "funny numbers accounting, out of control spending, and unfunded mandates", and were praised for their [[fiscal conservatism]] by Governor Paterson, a Democrat, who did not rule out using his [[veto]] pen for member items.<ref>Benjamin, Elizabeth. "[http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/04/paterson-praises-assembly-gop.html Paterson Praises Assembly GOP, Gets Standing Os]". ''[[Daily News]]''. [[April 14]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=099&sh=story&story=26709 Ball Alarmed By "Funny Numbers" Budget]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. [[April 1]], [[2008]].</ref>

====Committee work and legislation====
{{Infobox New York Legislation
|Title=Assemblyman
|Name=Greg Ball<ref>"[http://ball4ny.com/accomp.aspx On the Ball]". ''[http://assemblymanball.com Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved on [[March 6]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>"[http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=099&sh=spo Sponsored Legislation]". ''[[New York State Assembly]]''. Retrieved on [[March 6]], [[2008]].</ref>
|Name2=Ball
|Year=2007-2008
|Bill Number 1=A08560
|Bill Number 2=A07559
|Bill Number 3=A07588
|Bill Number 4=A07550
|Bill Number 5=A08070
|Bill Number 6=A08560
|Bill Number 7=A07709
|Bill Number 8=A07749
|Bill Number 9=A07751
|Bill Number 10=A07772
|Bill Number 11=A06588
|Bill Number 12=A07769
|Bill Number 13=A08651
|Bill Number 14=A00766
|Bill Number 15=A07560
|Bill Number 16=A07589
|Bill Number 17=A07766
|Bill Number 18=A09612
|Bill Number 19=A10196
|Bill Number 20=A05386
|Bill Number 21=A06321
|Bill Number 22=A07513
|Bill Number 23=A07561
|Bill Number 24=A07658
|Bill Number 25=A07659
|Bill Number 26=A07660
|Bill Number 27=A07661
|Bill Number 28=A07662
|Bill Number 29=A07663
|Bill Number 30=A07664
|Bill Number 31=A07710
|Bill Number 32=A07711
|Bill Number 33=A07712
|Bill Number 34=A07750
|Bill Number 35=A07767
|Bill Number 36=A07768
|Bill Number 37=A07770
|Bill Number 38=A07771
|Bill Number 39=A07773
|Bill Number 40=A07825
|Bill Number 41=A07922
|Bill Number 42=A08020
|Bill Number 43=A08532
|Bill Number 44=A08533
|Bill Number 45=A08662
|Bill Number 46=A09701
|Bill Number 47=A10190
|Bill Number 48=A10191
|Bill Number 49=A10192
|Bill Number 50=A10193
|Bill Number 51=A10194
|Bill Number 52=A10195
|Bill Link 1=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08560
|Bill Link 2=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07559
|Bill Link 3=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07588
|Bill Link 4=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07550
|Bill Link 5=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08070
|Bill Link 6=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08560
|Bill Link 7=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07709
|Bill Link 8=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07749
|Bill Link 9=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07751
|Bill Link 10=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07772
|Bill Link 11=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A06588
|Bill Link 12=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07769
|Bill Link 13=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08651
|Bill Link 14=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A0766
|Bill Link 15=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07560
|Bill Link 16=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07589
|Bill Link 17=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07766
|Bill Link 18=http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A09612
|Bill Link 19=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10196
|Bill Link 20=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A05386
|Bill Link 21=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A06321
|Bill Link 22=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07513
|Bill Link 23=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07561
|Bill Link 24=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07658
|Bill Link 25=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07659
|Bill Link 26=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07660
|Bill Link 27=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07661
|Bill Link 28=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07662
|Bill Link 29=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07663
|Bill Link 30=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07664
|Bill Link 31=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07710
|Bill Link 32=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07711
|Bill Link 33=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07712
|Bill Link 34=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07750
|Bill Link 35=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07767
|Bill Link 36=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07768
|Bill Link 37=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07770
|Bill Link 38=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07771
|Bill Link 39=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07773
|Bill Link 40=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07825
|Bill Link 41=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07922
|Bill Link 42=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08020
|Bill Link 43=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08532
|Bill Link 44=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08533
|Bill Link 45=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A08662
|Bill Link 46=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A09701
|Bill Link 47=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10190
|Bill Link 48=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10191
|Bill Link 49=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10192
|Bill Link 50=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10193
|Bill Link 51=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10194
|Bill Link 52=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10195
|Bill Status 1=referred to governmental operations
|Bill Status 2=referred to codes
|Bill Status 3=referred to governmental operations
|Bill Status 4=passed assembly
|Bill Status 5=referred to higher education
|Bill Status 6=referred to governmental operations
|Bill Status 7=referred to environmental conservation
|Bill Status 8=referred to tourism, arts and sports development
|Bill Status 9=referred to ways and means
|Bill Status 10=referred to real property taxation
|Bill Status 11=referred to health
|Bill Status 12=referred to education
|Bill Status 13=referred to higher education
|Bill Status 14=referred to governmental operations
|Bill Status 15=referred to environmental conservation
|Bill Status 16=referred to agriculture
|Bill Status 17=referred to agriculture
|Bill Status 18=print number 9612a
|Bill Status 19=referred to agriculture
|Bill Status 20=print number 5386a
|Bill Status 21=referred to codes
|Bill Status 22=referred to governmental employees
|Bill Status 23=referred to transportation
|Bill Status 24=referred to transportation
|Bill Status 25=referred to real property taxation
|Bill Status 26=referred to veterans' affairs
|Bill Status 27=referred to judiciary
|Bill Status 28=attorney-general's opinion referred to judiciary
|Bill Status 29=referred to ways and means
|Bill Status 30=referred to ways and means
|Bill Status 31=referred to governmental operations
|Bill Status 32=referred to governmental operations
|Bill Status 33=referred to governmental operations
|Bill Status 34=referred to ways and means
|Bill Status 35=referred to aging
|Bill Status 36=referred to correction
|Bill Status 37=referred to election law
|Bill Status 38=referred to real property taxation
|Bill Status 39=referred to real property taxation
|Bill Status 40=referred to education
|Bill Status 41=referred to ways and means
|Bill Status 42=referred to real property taxation
|Bill Status 43=passed as Part N, Article 7 of 2008-09 budget
|Bill Status 44=referred to social services
|Bill Status 45=referred to codes
|Bill Status 46=held for consideration in higher education
|Bill Status 47=referred to higher education
|Bill Status 48=referred to correction
|Bill Status 49=referred to codes
|Bill Status 50=referred to governmental operations
|Bill Status 51=referred to insurance
|Bill Status 52=referred to ways and means
|Bill Title 1=Allows director of homeland security to coordinate agencies to perform immigration law enforcement functions and administer and distribute grants for appropriate training.
|Bill Title 2=Requires conviction of illegal alien be reported to U.S. department of immigration and naturalization with recommendation that action be taken to deport such person.
|Bill Title 3=Prohibits a person or a firm, partnership or corporation of which he is a member using illegal aliens in contract with state from further contract for 10 years with state or its subsidiaries.
|Bill Title 4=Extends the period given to certain applicants for public assistance benefits to request a fair hearing from ten days to sixty days or within sixty days of receipt of a work activity assignment.
|Bill Title 5=Requires any person who is admitted or accepted to SUNY or CUNY be a citizen or legally admitted to the U.S.
|Bill Title 6=Allows director of homeland security to coordinate agencies to perform immigration law enforcement functions and administer and distribute grants for appropriate training.
|Bill Title 7=Authorizes the use of kayaks on reservoirs serving the city of New York subject to reasonable rules and regulations; takes effect sixty days after becoming a law.
|Bill Title 8=Entitles New York state high school graduate free access to state park, parkway, recreational facility or historic site for one year.
|Bill Title 9=Gives state income tax credit to volunteer firefighters and members of a volunteer ambulance corps in good standing up to $2500 ; must be in good standing for a minimum of five years and maintain continued eligibility.
|Bill Title 10=Eliminates provision that volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers must reside in county referred to in order to be granted real property tax exemption.
|Bill Title 11=Provides that any person who was an Army medic, Navy field medical service technician or Air Force pararescue shall be deemed to be qualified to be certified as an emergency medical technician.
|Bill Title 12=Requires the furnishing of programs and services to pupils who are home-instructed or enrolled in non-public schools upon request of persons in parental relation; provides that such programs and services shall include participation in intraschool, intramural, and extramural athletics.
|Bill Title 13=Enacts the new "empire fund act", a prepaid higher education tuition program; establishes a prepaid higher education tuition board; establishes prepaid higher education tuition scholarships for needy students; establishes the new empire fund.
|Bill Title 14=Provides for the detailing of the benefits and costs of proposed rules in the regulatory impact statements to ensure proper disclosure to the public of such information.
|Bill Title 15=Prohibits sale of foreign dog hair or hide includes but not limited to raccoon dog.
|Bill Title 16=Prohibits slaughter of horses to create food, meat or meat products for human consumption.
|Bill Title 17=Makes it unlawful to conduct excessive breeding of dogs in an uncontrolled manner and location so as to be in in a cruel and inhuman manner; makes crime a misdemeanor subject to fine and jail.
|Bill Title 18="The puppy mill act", relates to sale of dogs and cats by animal facilities under inhumane conditions.
|Bill Title 19=Relates to control of dog fighting; gives peace officer powers to certain people; prohibits possession of certain paraphernalia used in dog fighting.
|Bill Title 20=Provides a streamlining of planning and reporting requirements for school districts and boards of cooperative educational services.
|Bill Title 21=Establishes the crime of endangering the welfare of a child in a sexual manner, a class E felony.
|Bill Title 22=Relates to providing a performance of duty disability retirement benefit for members of the armed forces injured in combat.
|Bill Title 23=Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to prepare a consumer's rights statement summarizing the rights, duties and obligations of insureds, insurers, and registered motor vehicle repair shops regarding coverage and claims for damage and repair; directs agents of insurers providing collision and comprehensive coverage to provide both oral and written notice of such rights to consumers prior to purchasing coverage and when submitting a claim.
|Bill Title 24=Increases the penalties for overtaking and passing a school bus; provides that for the first conviction a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $400 nor more than $600; provides that for a second conviction a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $800 nor more than $1000; also provides that for a third conviction a person shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1000 nor more than $1500.
|Bill Title 25=Authorizes municipalities to grant real property tax exemption to the surviving spouse of certain police officers or firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.
|Bill Title 26=Provides the veteran`s exemption from real property taxes to the unmarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran; relates to both regular veteran's exemption and the alternative exemption.
|Bill Title 27=Provides upon violation of order of protection respondent be arrested and taken before most accessible magistrate for arraignment.
|Bill Title 28=Grants the power of initiative and referendum to the electors of the state, to propose laws and amendments to the constitution and to approve or disapprove the same by adding a new article 20 to the constitution; provides for form and number of signatures on petitions; provides that the legislature may not address any defeated initiative, indirect initiative or referendum for a period of two years.
|Bill Title 29=Prohibits use of lottery funds for any purpose other than education and prohibits co-mingling with funds for other purposes.
|Bill Title 30=Denies tax benefits to any corporation that outsources any of its business to a foreign entity or country.
|Bill Title 31=Provides that members of the legislature shall not serve more than five two year terms in either house; regardless of terms, service is limited to ten years.
|Bill Title 32=Limits term of legislative committee chair to no more than 4 consecutive years.
|Bill Title 33=Prohibits a member of the legislature from engaging in any outside paid activity during his or her term of office.
|Bill Title 34=Requires undocumented worker earning income as determined by department to file as a resident; if worker fails to comply employer paying income becomes responsible in place and stead of worker.
|Bill Title 35=Provides local option, in absence of granting of any other real property tax exemption, to freeze real property tax payment of senior citizens sixty-five years of age of older with combined annual incomes not exceeding $40,000 as of effective date of local law or resolution; applies to real property used exclusively for residential purposes.
|Bill Title 36=Requires level 2 and 3 sex offenders as defined wear monitoring devices inserted around their ankle.
|Bill Title 37=Increases the time period campaign financial statements must be retained from 5 to 15 years.
|Bill Title 38=Grants 100% exemption on school tax where all owners of real property are 65 years or older.
|Bill Title 39=Permits filing of (STAR) exemption application until on or before publication of final assessment role by the assessor.
|Bill Title 40=Authorizes the Somers Central School District to engage in innovation construction methods which have been proven to save time, money and other public resources in other parts of the state, while providing proper safeguards against limited competition, corruption and inadequate quality construction; provides that contracts entered into for the Somers Central School District Construction Project shall be governed by the provisions of this act and not by section 101 of the general municipal law; authorizes the Somers Central School District to utilize the single guaranteed maximum price general contract and sets forth procedures for bidding and payment; provides that the project shall be subject to review and approval by the department of education.
|Bill Title 41=Provides for a continuation of the 3.5% rate and extends to November 13th, 2009 sales tax for Putnam county
|Bill Title 42=Authorizes refund of tax payments by town of Southeast to accurately reflect value of certain real property damaged by fire after March 1 tax status date.
|Bill Title 43=Creates a tuition fee remission program for veterans.
|Bill Title 44=Requires all public assistance applicants to be drug tested in order to receive benefits or appropriate treatment.
|Bill Title 45=Creates crime of cyberbullying on a computer network in the first degree.
|Bill Title 46=Creates a fee remission program for veterans attending schools within the SUNY or CUNY system.
|Bill Title 47=Authorizes trustees of SUNY and CUNY to exempt any resident who was honorably discharged and served during OEF/OIF in armed forces.
|Bill Title 48=Shortens notification time of relocation of sex offender to immediately.
|Bill Title 49=Requires bail hearing no sooner than 72 hours after bail application for person presumed to be an illegal alien.
|Bill Title 50=Provides that state contracts require contractors to use as employees U.S. citizens or persons legally in the United States.
|Bill Title 51=Relates to coverage of self-insured plans for enteral formulas whether prescription or non-prescription; eliminates limit for dollar amount coverage for self-insured plans.
|Bill Title 52=Eliminates taxes on alternative energies.
|Bill Number 53=A10196
|Bill Link 53=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10196
|Bill Status 53=referred to agriculture
|Bill Title 53=Relates to control of dog fighting; gives peace officer powers to certain people; prohibits possession of certain paraphernalia used in dog fighting.
|Bill Number 54=A10593
|Bill Link 54=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10593
|Bill Status 54=referred to codes
|Bill Title 54=Requires memo of understanding between attorney general and United States immigration and customs enforcement regarding criminal aliens.
}}
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 [[New York State Rifle and Pistol Association]] "Assemblyman of the Year" for his dedication toward advocating for outdoor sports and sportsmen’s rights.<ref name="vol1iss3"/>

The Assemblyman strongly opposes [[firearm microstamping]], and participated in a discussion of the technology along side [[second amendment]] activists and representatives of the [[National Rifle Association]] and [[National Shooting Sports Foundation]] at a [[New York State Police]] shooting range in May of 2008.<ref>Risinit, Michael. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/05/19/ball-at-firearms-demonstration/#more-4520 Ball at firearms demonstration]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[May 19]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>"[http://www.wten.com/Global/Story.asp?s=8346674 Microstamping Gun Cartridges]". ''[[WTEN]]''. [[May 19]], [[2008]].</ref> The gun industry representatives were asked to leave by the event's organizers.<ref>Merrill, Paul. "[http://www.fox23news.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=9078c28b-8379-41ce-861b-9591ca79cdb3 Gun bill jammed]". ''[[WXXA-TV|FOX 23 News]]''. [[May 19]], [[2008]].</ref> Ball had been invited by Assembly Democrat [[Michelle Schimel]] to the demonstration of microstamping technology.<ref>Senison, Heather. "[http://www.legislativegazette.com/day_item.php?item=377 Microstamping demonstration turns into heated debated]". ''[[Legislative Gazette]]''. [[May 19]], [[2008]].</ref> Schimel's bill mandating microstamping was passed through the Assembly, against opposition led by Assemblyman Ball of 47 Assembly members of both parties, although the State Senate took no action on a similar item and it will not become law.<ref>Karlin, Rick. "[http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=689896&category=CAPITOL&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=5/20/2008&TextPage=1 Bullet microstamping efforts appear stalled]". ''[[Albany Times-Union]]''. [[May 20]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>"[http://capitalnews9.com/content/headlines/116414/microstamping-demonstration-held-in-albany/Default.aspx Microstamping demonstration held in Albany]". ''[[Capital News 9]]''. [[May 19]], [[2008]].</ref> [[Gun control]] advocates want bullets fired from guns purchased in New York to be marked so they can be more easily traced to their origin, and have drawn criticism due to the unreliability of the technology, and production costs placed on the gun industry and passed on to gun owners.<ref>Spector, Joseph. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/05/19/ball-video-on-gun-legislation/ Ball Video on Gun Legislation]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[May 19]], [[2008]].</ref> The Assemblyman claims that the legislation unfairly impacts law abiding gun owners, as most homicides are committed with illegal firearms or guns purchased in another state that would not utilize microstamping.<ref>Waldron, Will. "[http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/7459 Bullet debate]". ''[[Albany Times-Union]]''. [[May 19]], [[2008]].</ref> As of 2008, only [[California]] had passed similar legislation.<ref>Bernstein, Jenn. "[http://news10now.com/content/all_news/116414/microstamping-demonstration-held-in-albany/Default.aspx Microstamping demonstration held in Albany]". ''[[News 10 Now]]''. [[May 20]], [[2008]].</ref>

[[Image:gregball6.jpg|thumb|235px|right|New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and Assemblyman Ball disagreed on a number of issues, but worked together on several reform packages.<ref>Stone, Adam. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=1729 Ball pledges Albany reform]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. [[December 27]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>"1 in GOP welcomes Spitzer reforms". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[March 14]], [[2007]].</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 mill]]s, 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>

The Assemblyman has carried legislation to Albany for other constituents, including a measure in May of 2008 known as "Hannah's Law" which ensures a Yorktown couple receives insurance coverage for the formula that keeps their three daughter alive, making it mandatory for insurers to cover formulas for patients with rare [[eosinophilic]] [[Eosinophilia|disorders]], and removes the $2,500 annual caps imposed by insurance plans that pay for formula.<ref>Elan, Susan. "[http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805180374 'Hannah's Law' would help allergic child]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[May 19]], [[2008]].</ref>

He has been involved in the fight to keep [[Pepsi Bottling Group]] in his district, after the company, which is [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester County's]] second-largest employer announced it was considering relocating out of his district due to the tax burden it faces.<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><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> 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"/>

====Immigration issues====
According to ''[[The Journal News]]'', one key to Ball's success was that his campaign identified the concern local voters cared most about: illegal immigration.<ref name="west1">West, Debra. "[http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070812/OPINION/708120332/1151 The Greg Ball effect: An anti-illegal alien strategy takes root and thrives]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[August 12]], [[2007]].</ref> The Assemblyman has stated that America is a great nation because of its immigration population, and he supports legal immigration, and a fairer, and more open immigration policy with secure borders.<ref name="teddyroosevelt"/> Analysis based on 2008 estimates of the illegal immigrant population residing in New York indicates that population costs state taxpayers more than $5.1 billion per year for education, medical care and incarceration of these undocumented residents.<ref>"[http://www.fairus.org/site/DocServer/NYCosts.pdf?docID=1161 Cost of Illegal Immigration to New Yorkers]". ''[[Federation for American Immigration Reform|FAIR]]''. Retrieved [[April 24]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>According to [[Federation for American Immigration Reform|FAIR]], a non-partisan, non-profit [[501(c)(3)]] educational organization in the [[United States]], the breakdown of the $5.1 billion in costs includes $4.3 billion annually one education for the children of illegal immigrants, $690 million in taxpayer funded, unreimbursed medical outlays for health care, and $165 million in incarcerating deportable illegal aliens in state and local prisons. The annual tax burden is approximately $874 per New York household. If revenues were raised by collecting sales, property and income taxes from illegal immigrants (an estimated $730 million), FAIR estimates that the net cost would still amount to more than $4.5 billion per year.</ref> Ball claims that the economy penalizes legal immigrants, unfairly impacts law abiding business owners, and exploits illegal laborers.<ref name="teddyroosevelt"/>

[[Image:gregball2.jpg|thumb|256px|right|Assemblyman Ball delivering a speech from the floor of the Assembly Chamber in October of 2007.<ref name="gregballtruereformer"/>]]He was joined by former [[INS]] agents in a rally protesting a proposed work shelter for illegal immigrations in the village of Brewster.<ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/06/26/just-say-no/ Just say no]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[June 26]], [[2007]].</ref> Ball made illegal immigration a focal point of his bid for office.<ref name="feet"/> In October of 2007, he strongly criticized [[Eliot Spitzer drivers license controversy|Governor Spitzer's plan to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants]].<ref>Chase, Kelly A. "[http://www.legislativegazette.com/read_more.php?story=2691&searchstr=greg%20ball DMV debate is focus of special session Cuomo set to defend state against legal challenges to new policy]". ''[[Legislative Gazette]]''. [[October 29]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>Blain, Glenn. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/10/01/assembly-gop-takes-aim-at-spitzer-license-plan/ Assembly GOP takes aim at Spitzer license plan]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[October 1]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>Barron, Sam. "[http://www.northcountynews.com/Apps/FullSize.aspx?articleid=2995 Ball strikes back, threatens to sue Governor Spitzer over drivers license policy]". ''[http://www.northcountynews.com North County News]''. [[October 3]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>"GOP group critical of Spitzer plan". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[March 2]], [[2007]].</ref> He was at the forefront of the opposition to the plan, and his Statewide petition to stop it led to the Assembly Minority Conference's decision to sue the Governor to stop the plan.<ref name="pawl410"/><ref>"[http://westchestertimestribune.typepad.com/my_weblog/files/WTT-2-57-Web.pdf Assembly GOP to Sue Governor and Dept. of Motor Vehicles]". ''[http://westchestertimestribune.typepad.com Westchester Times Tribune]''. [[October 4]], [[2007]].</ref>

The Assemblyman introduced a bill that authorizes local police to detain and begin the deportation process immediately for illegal immigrants caught committing a crime known as the New York State Criminal Illegal Alien Deportation and Legal Hiring Act, and also cosponsored a series of immigration bills that passed in the State Assembly to crack down on contractors breaking state labor laws such as [[prevailing wage]] and [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] [[Tax forms in the United States#1099 series|tax form 1099]] misclassification.<ref>Matthews, Cara. "[http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/NEWS10/80523010 Debate continues on how to police illegal immigrants]". ''[[Press & Sun-Bulletin]]''. [[May 23]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Rojas, Marcela. "[http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080411/NEWS04/804110389/-1/newsfront Proposed law bars Southeast contractors from hiring illegals]". ''[[Journal News]]''. [[April 11]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Anderson, Stacy A. "[http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080420/NEWS01/804200358/-1/SPORTS New bill regarding criminal illegal immigrants receives mixed response]". ''[[Journal News]]''. [[April 20]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Gross, Eric. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19510186&BRD=1708&PAG=461&dept_id=72445&rfi=6 Ball's bill on illegal immigration divides public]". ''[http://www.putnamcountycourier.com Putnam County Courier]''. [[April 24]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Rae, Lea. "[http://immigration.lohudblogs.com/2008/04/16/greg-ball-to-announce-enforcement-bill/ Greg Ball to announce enforcement bill]". ''[[Journal News]]''. [[April 16]], [[2008]].</ref> The lawmaker has attempted to avert misconceptions about what he is trying to do, stressing that his bill's provisions require ICE to perform monthly searches of the state's registered sex-offender list to find criminal aliens, stating that "It's sad to watch some people turn a law-enforcement issue into an 'us- versus-them' argument. This is solely about focusing on the most violent criminal illegal aliens and making sure they're deported so they can't strike again in the state of New York."<ref>Matthews, Cara. "[http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080525/NEWS01/805250357/1002/NEWS Lawmakers want local police to help regulate illegal immigrants]". ''[[Democrat and Chronicle]]''. [[May 25]], [[2008]].</ref>

In February of 2008, Ball hosted a summit on the [[Immigration and Nationality Act Section 287(g)]] program for law enforcement and elected officials from New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, co-hosted by Jim Pendergraph, U.S. [[Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] (ICE) Executive Director from the United States Department of Homeland Security Office of State and Local Coordination.<ref name="ice1"/><ref name="summit">Driscoll, Eugene. "[http://www.newstimes.com/ci_8249912?source=most_viewed N.Y. lawmaker wants ICE in jails]". ''[[Danbury News-Times]]''. [[February 13]], [[2008]].</ref> He talked at length about the measure during a Fox News interview with [[Neil Cavuto]].<ref>{{cite episode
| title = Assemblyman Ball on Neil Cavuto
| url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVq_9x_FNLE
| series = [[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]
| network = ''[[Fox News]]''
| airdate = 2008-01-01
}}</ref> The 287(g) partnership, created in [[1996]] under the [[Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996|Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act]] (IIRAIRA), includes a five week training program on how to avoid racial profiling, and 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 held another regional summit in April of 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>Rae, Leah. "[http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080419/NEWS01/804190344/1020/NEWS04 Ball immigration bill opposed by state correction officials]". ''[[Journal News]]''. [[April 19]], [[2008]].</ref> He emphasized that deporting nonviolent offenders before their sentence was up would save the state money.<ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008804180397 Ball seeks to deport illegal immigrants convicted of crimes]". ''[[Journal News]]''. [[April 18]], [[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"/> The Assemblyman introduced a bill on behalf of [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11 Families for a Secure America]] in April of 2008 that mandates implementation of the 287(g) program statewide.<ref>Gadiel, Peter. "[http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/homeland.php?id=1387348 NY State Introduces Bill To Ban Sanctuary Cities & Require Enforcement Of Immigration]". ''[http://familysecuritymatters.org Family Security Matters]''. [[April 24]], [[2008]].</ref>

Ball has worked to promote businesses that hire legal immigrant laborers, and has begun to create a database for usage on his campaign website.<ref name="hirelegally">Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/04/25/move-over-yellow-pages/ Move over, Yellow Pages]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[April 25]], [[2007]].</ref> His campaign headquarters in [[Pawling, New York]] may have been targeted over the contentious issue, and was vandalized with [[swastikas]] in October of 2006, although the person or persons responsible misspelled the word "Fascist" twice.<ref>"GOP candidate is target of vandals". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[November 2]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2006/11/01/definitely-a-trick/ Definitely a trick]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[November 1]], [[2006]].</ref> An oft-quoted line from his campaign literature was that "Illegal Immigration is Illegal".<ref>Applebome, Peter. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/nyregion/11towns.html?n=Top/News/New%20York%20and%20Region/Columns/Our%20Towns&pagewanted=all When an Election Becomes a Forum on Immigration]". ''[[New York Times]]''. [[November 11]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712130403 Assemblyman Ball discusses illegal immigration and public safety]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[December 13]], [[2007]].</ref> He was named "Albany's most ardent supporter of legal immigration" when he was appointed State Chairman of the national immigration reform group State Legislators for Legal Immigration.<ref>"[http://www.statelegislatorsforlegalimmigration.com/ Lawmakers for Legal Immigration]". Retrieved [[March 23]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>"[http://www.assemblymangball.com/BlogEntry.aspx?entryID=83 Ball Named States Chairman of National Legal Immigration Group]". ''[http://www.assemblymanball.com Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Rae, Leah. "[http://immigration.lohudblogs.com/2008/02/14/greg-ball-joins-national-lawmakers-against-alien-invasion/ Greg Ball joins national lawmakers against alien ‘invasion’]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[February 14]], [[2008]].</ref> Yet Ball declined to speak at an anti illegal-immigration forum in [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], [[Connecticut]] sponsored by United States Citizens for Immigration Law Enforcement, calling the group's rhetoric "over the top."<ref>Homayonpour, Marietta. "[http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:W2k7P7nKUDEJ:www.newstimes.com/ci_7848096%3Fsource%25253Dmost_emailed.26978592730A3B8C7F471EACE0DA4EF2.html+site:newstimes.com+%22Immigration+Law+Enforcement%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us Should Danbury partner with ICE?]". ''[[Danbury News-Times]]''. [[December 31]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/04/30/not-visiting-connecticut/ Not visiting Connecticut]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[April 30]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>"[http://www.uscfile.org/ United States Citizens for Immigration Law Enforcement]". Retrieved [[March 23]], [[2008]].</ref>

====Energy and conservation====
[[Image:gregball9.jpg|255px|thumb|right|While serving as a State Assemblyman, Ball maintains a commission as a Captain in the Air Force Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).<ref name="campaignbio"/>]]
While his campaign has called for the widening of [[New York State Route 22]] and completion of the [[Bear Mountain State Parkway]], Ball has called attention to both the economic and environmental impact of the project, stating that "its a huge concern. It must be expanded. I am willing to work with the environmentalists and regional planners to get this project off the ground once and for all".<ref>Gross, Eric. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19360326&BRD=1708&PAG=461&dept_id=72445&rfi=6 Supervisor Rights criticizes DOT for detouring Route 22 expansion]". ''[http://www.putnamcountycourier.com Putnam County Courier]''. [[March 6]], [[2008]].</ref> The Ball campaign has also focused on promoting energy conservation, calling fuel prices "out of control" and vowing to establish tax credits for usage and production of [[alternative fuels]], establish a state energy planning board, and cut fuel costs by eliminating the state sales tax on gasoline and alternative fuels.<ref>Berg, Weston. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18225626&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=8 Village Hall rally asks Congress to Step it Up]". ''[http://www.pawlingnewschronicle.com Pawling News-Chronicle]''. [[April 20]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>"Report: Green bills do well in Legislature". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[October 19]], [[2007]].</ref>

{{cquote|The fundamental reality is that with gas prices and oil import costs rising every year, we must chart a new course based on renewable, cleaner energies.|30px|25px|Assemblyman Greg Ball<ref name="greenstock"/>}}

The Assemblyman supported [[Greasestock]], an yearly event held in Yorktown to showcase clean [[renewable energy]].<ref>"[http://www.greasestock.org/ Greasestock 2008]". ''[http://greasestock.org Greasestock]''. Retrieved [[May 20]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Max, Josh. "[http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/2008/05/13/2008-05-13_gasguzzlers_become_veggie_delights_at_gr.html Gas-guzzlers become veggie delights at Greasestock in Yorktown Heights]". ''[[Daily News]]''. [[May 13]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>"[http://www.greasestock.org/images/GreasestockMay08.jpg Greasestock 2008: Alternative Fuel, Fun and French Fries]". ''[http://www.naturalawakeningsmag.com/ Natural Awakenings]''. [[May]] [[2008]].</ref> The event was founded in 2003 by individuals interested in [[Vegetable oil used as fuel|vegetable powered]] [[Alternative fuel vehicle|vehicles]].<ref>Norman, Jim. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/13/automobiles/13GREASE.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin Where There’s Never an Oil Shortage]". ''[[New York Times]]''. [[May 13]], [[2007]].</ref> The event now includes a number of [[alternative fuel]] exhibits, showcasing new [[green technology|green technologies]] for vehicles and other applications.<ref>Tillman, Adriane. "[http://northcountynews.com/news/ncn_news1.asp Greasestock Festival returns, bigger and better]". [[May 14]], [[2008]].</ref>

===2008 election===
{{seealso|New York's 99th assembly district#2008 election}}
[[Image:gregball-volunteers.jpg|206px|thumb|right|At his Pawling, New York campaign headquarters, Assemblyman Ball and dozens of campaign volunteers gear up for his reelection bid in May of 2008.<ref>"[http://picasaweb.google.com/AssemblymanBall/TheBallExpressVolunteerNightAtCampaignOffice The Ball Express: Volunteer Night at Campaign Office]". ''[http://ball4ny.com/ Ball for Assembly]''. [[May 12]], [[2008]].</ref>]]Ball was referred to as "one of the rising stars in the Republican Party"<ref>Blain, Glenn. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/12/04/could-it-be-ball-vs-hall-in-2008/ Could it be Ball vs. Hall in 2008?]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[December 4]], [[2007]].</ref> during speculation that he would run against freshman Congressman [[John Hall (New York)|John Hall]] in 2008, although he later ruled out a challenge against Hall.<ref name="ruledout">Risinit, Mike. "[http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071231/NEWS01/712310377 Carmel assemblyman says he won't run for Congress in '08]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[December 31]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>Risinit, Mike. "[http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071217/NEWS04/712170350 Ball may run for House seat]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[December 17]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>Blain, Glenn. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/12/31/ball-not-running-for-congress/ Ball not running for Congress]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[December 31]], [[2007]].</ref> Ball sent out a statement stating that, "I love being the assemblyman. There's a lot I'm accomplishing at the local level and there's still a lot that needs to be done."<ref>"Ball wants to stay in Assembly, forgoing challenge for Congress". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[January 1]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>"Hall admits '07 had its pitfalls". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[December 27]], [[2007]].</ref>

On [[March 17]], [[2008]], Ball announced that he would be a candidate for reelection during an event at an Irish restaurant in Yorktown Heights, flanked by new Westchester GOP Chairman Douglas Colety, Putnam GOP Chairman Anthony Scannapieco, Jr., and [[Westchester County Executive]] candidate [[Rob Astorino]].<ref>"[http://www.ball4ny.com/events/home.htm St. Patrick's Day Brunch]". ''[http://www.gballevents.com Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved on [[March 16]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>{{cite episode
| title = Ball launches re-election
| url = http://news12.cv.net/video/AW0316BT.wmv
| series = Evening edition
| credits = Tara Rosenblum, Anchor
| network = ''[[News 12 Networks]] [[Westchester, New York|Westchester]]''
| station = N12WC
| airdate = 2008-03-16
}}</ref> Ball highlighted the fact that his campaign had received the most money and more contributions from individual donors then any other incumbent minority Assemblyman in the last quarter of 2007.<ref>"[http://www.elections.state.ny.us/plsql_browser/CONTRIBUTORA_COUNTY?ID_in=A18887&date_From=&date_to=&AMOUNT_From=&AMOUNT_to=&ZIP1=&ZIP2=&ORDERBY_IN=A&CATEGORY_IN=ALL A1887. New Yorkers on the Ball]". ''[[New York Board of Elections]]''. [[January]] [[2008]].</ref> In a speech to supporters, Ball stated that "I'm a maverick Republican. I came into this business from outside the political machine. That makes me a target for Albany insiders."<ref name="news12">"[http://www.news12.com/WC/topstories/article?id=208710 Top stories: Westchester assemblyman kicks off election campaign]". ''[[News 12 Networks]]''. [[March 16]], [[2008]].</ref>

In early May of 2008, [[John Degnan]], the former Mayor of [[Brewster, New York]], announced he would be mounting a challenge to the freshman Assemblyman.<ref>Risinit, Michael. "[http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080512/NEWS01/805120319/1006 Ex-mayor challenges 99th's Ball]". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[May 12]], [[2008]].</ref> The [[New York State Republican Committee|Republican Assembly Campaign Committee]] issued a press release on Degnan's candidacy, stating that "There is no question that, unlike his opponent – who just last year ran with the backing of the Democrat Party – Assemblyman Greg Ball is a true Republican who has kept his promises. Greg Ball has been, and continues to be, a recognized leader in the fight to fix Albany by supporting real property tax relief, fiscal responsibility and the types of comprehensive reforms needed to repair a broken state government."<ref>"[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/05/19/ball-has-a-friend-in-racc/ RACC’S GOT GREG BALL’S BACK]". ''[[New York State]] [http://nyracc.org/index2.aspx Republican Assembly Campaign Committee]''. [[May 19]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Risinit, Michael. "[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2008/05/19/ball-has-a-friend-in-racc/ Ball has a friend in RACC]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[May 19]], [[2008]].</ref>

===Electoral history===
{{Election box begin | title=[[New York State Assembly]], [[New York's 99th assembly district|99th district]], [[2006]] – [[General Election]]<ref name="election1">"[http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/elections/2006/general/2006_assem.pdf NYS Board of Elections - Assembly - Vote - Nov. 7, 2006]". ''[http://www.elections.state.ny.us/ New York State Board of Elections]''. Retrieved on [[February 22]], [[2008]].</ref>}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (US)
|candidate = Greg Ball
|votes = 20,956
|percentage = 50.8%
|change = Republican '''hold'''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (US)
|candidate = Ken Harper
|votes = 17,155
|percentage = 41.4%
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate |
|party = Independence, Conservative
|candidate = Willis Stephens, Jr. (I)
|votes = 3,228
|percentage = 7.8%
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no party
| title=[[New York State Assembly]], [[New York's 99th assembly district|99th district]], [[2006]] – [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Primary]]<ref name="primary1">"[http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/elections/2006/Primary/2006PrimaryAD.pdf September 12, 2006 Primary Vote Assembly Districts]". ''[http://www.elections.state.ny.us/ New York State Board of Elections]''. Retrieved on [[February 22]], [[2008]].</ref>
}}
{{Election box candidate no party with winner
| winner = ✓
|candidate = Greg Ball
|votes = 5,165
|percentage = 70.4%
|change = Challenger '''pickup'''
}}
{{Election box candidate no party with winner
| winner =
|candidate = Willis Stephens, Jr. (I)
|votes = 2,176
|percentage = 29.6%
|change =
}}
{{Election box turnout no party
| votes = 7,341
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Courage Cup==
[[Image:gregball7.jpg|thumb|310px|right|Assemblyman Ball was joined by hundreds of supporters at his 2008 campaign kickoff in Yorktown, New York.<ref name="news12"/><ref>"[http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/March08/17/Ball_rerun-17Mar08.html Ball seeks another Assembly term]". ''[http://midhudsonnews.com Mid-Hudson News]''. [[March 17]], [[2008]].</ref>]]
In January of 2007, Ball became involved in a dispute with Andrea Rodgers and Keri Ann Meslar, who ran a charity polo tournament known as the "Courage Cup." Ball had been stationed at [[Bolling Air Force Base]] in [[Washington D.C.]], where he organized the first Courage Cup in 2004, raising nearly $8,000 for the [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] based [[Work to Ride]] program and other organizations.<ref name="polo2">"[http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2007/06/12/polo-anyone/ Assemblyman Ball trading shots in D.C. charity polo event debate]". ''[[The Journal News]]''. [[February 2]], [[2007]]</ref> The event was created to bring together Washington professionals and the [[polo]] community together for a good cause, and a good time, and grew to become one of the largest polo events on the east coast.<ref>"[http://web.archive.org/web/20060502193810/http://couragecup.org/about-content.htm About the event]". ''[http://couragecup.org Courage Cup]''. Retrieved [[March 6]], [[2008]].</ref> Ball founded the charity in 2004, prior to his run for office.<ref>"Assemblyman defends aid from fundraiser". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[June 13]], [[2007]].</ref> His former friends resisted his attempt to retake a leadership role in 2007, and Ball countered that he was the Courage Cup's rightful owner and that the two women stole his intellectual property.<ref name="polo1">Argentsinger, Amy and Roberts, Roxanne. "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/05/AR2007020501739.html Courage Cup Organizers Cross Polo Mallets]". ''[[Washington Post]]'', C03. [[February 6]], [[2007]].</ref>

A ''[[Washington Post]]'' article from June of 2007 implied that one of the event directors offered tickets at difference price level with proceeds going to a [[Political Action Committee]] which would later support Ball, although Ball's campaign stated it had nothing to do with the fund raising and that the destination of profits from the event were clearly stated on the purchase form. Despite this, several Courage Cup supporters were surprised that what they believed were charitable contributions were used for political purposes.<ref>Argentsinger, Amy and Roberts, Roxanne. "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/11/AR2007061102424_pf.html Courage Cup: Ponying Up For Whose Charity?]". ''[[Washington Post]]'', C01. [[June 12]], [[2007]].</ref> Phillip Karber, a member of the board of directors for The Courage Cup who described himself as a neutral party, stated that "Ball has done a phenomenal job of getting this thing organized and getting it started. The new people did a good job of not letting it die."<ref name="polo2"/>

== See also ==
{{wikiquote}}
*[[Illegal immigration to the United States]]
*[[List of members of the New York State Assembly]]
*[[New York's 99th assembly district]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|3}}

==External links==
[[Image:gregball5.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A snapshot from Assemblyman Ball's (bottom right) hirelegally.com website.<ref name="hirelegally"/>]]
*[http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=099 Official Homepage: Assemblyman Greg Ball, 99th District of New York]
*[http://ball4ny.com Ball for Assembly Campaign Website]
*[http://www.GballEvents.com Campaign events for Assemblyman Greg Ball]
*[http://picasaweb.google.com/AssemblymanBall Picasaweb Albums for Greg Ball]
*[http://www.thepresidency.org/Publications/publications.html#Fellows Center for the Study of the Presidency Fellows Publications]
*[http://www.hirelegally.com Hirelegally.com - Ball campaign website that encourages legal hiring pratices.]
*[http://vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=MNY90112 Project VoteSmart - Assemblymember Ball]
*[http://www.smartvoter.org/2006/11/07/ny/state/vote/ball_g/ League of Women Voters Smart Voter Guide: Greg Ball]

{{start box}}
{{incumbent box|title=[[New York's 99th assembly district|New York State Assembly<br/>99th District]]|before=[[Will Stephens|Willis Stephens, Jr.]]|start=2007| }}
{{end box}}

<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->

{{Persondata
|NAME = Ball, Greg
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Ball, Gregory R.
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Politician
|DATE OF BIRTH = [[September 16]], [[1977]]
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Pawling, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ball, Greg}}
[[Category:Members of the New York Assembly]]
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:United States Air Force Academy graduates]]
[[Category:Putnam County, New York politicians]]
[[Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians]]
[[Category:New York Republicans]]
[[Category:United States Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Real estate and property developers]]
[[Category:Veterans' rights activists]]
[[Category:Business executives]]

Revision as of 20:42, 28 May 2008

Greg Ball
File:Ball - Version 2.jpg
Assemblyman, 99th District
In office
2007–incumbent
Preceded byWillis Stephens, Jr.
Personal details
Born200px
September 16, 1977
New York (state) Pawling, New York
Died200px
Resting place200px
Political partyRepublican
Parent
  • 200px
Residence(s)Carmel, New York
OccupationBusinessman
Air Force Officer
Legislator
Websitewww.AssemblymanBall.com
Official Biography[1]

Gregory R. Ball (born September 16, 1977) is an American business executive, former active duty Air Force officer and member of the New York State Assembly. Assemblyman Ball serves as the ranking member on the Veteran's Affairs committee, and was the author of the measure enacted in the 2008 New York State budget offering free college tuition to military veterans.[2] He has risen to prominence for his views on immigration, and has been named a Chairman of Lawmakers for Legal Immigration, an immigration reform group.[3] He is a resident of Carmel, New York.

Assemblyman Ball is also a member of the Election Law; Energy; Housing; and Social Services Committees.[4] He represents New York's 99th assembly district which comprises the towns Patterson, Mahopac, Carmel, Southeast, Putnam Lake and Brewster, in Putnam County; Yorktown, Mohegan Lake, Somers, and North Salem in Westchester County; and both Pawling and Pawling Village in Duchess County.

Beginning his political career in 2005, he defeated six-term incumbent Willis Stephens in a primary in September of 2006, running of a platform of reforming the legislature in Albany. Since being elected, Ball has been active in issues involving school and property tax reform, second amendment rights, animal protection, the environment, renewable energy and conservation, veteran's affairs, and illegal immigration. He is often mentioned as a possible candidate for higher office, and has referred to himself as "Albany’s loudest advocate for reform."[5]

Early career and background

Air Force Captain Greg Ball graduated from the United States Air Force Academy.[6]

Ball was born in Pawling, New York, and grew up on the Kennedy estate of Stephen and Jean Kennedy-Smith, sister of President John F. Kennedy, where his parents were both caretakers.[7] He attended the prestigious Valley Forge Military Academy before receiving an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy from Congresswoman Sue Kelly.[1] He was the first member of his family to attend college.[8] Ball received a Bachelors of Arts in Government in 2001.[1] He is currently completing a Masters thesis in International Affairs at Georgetown University, and was a fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency from 2002 to 2003.[9] Ball is a board member of the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, and is a member of several area Chambers of Commerce and business associations.[10][11]

Ball initially interned in the White House Drug Policy Office during the term of President Bill Clinton and was then assigned to the 11th Wing as a protocol officer to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff.[6][12] He was awarded an achievement medal for outstanding service by General John P. Jumper and was honorably discharged from active duty in January of 2005 at the rank of Captain.[1][13] Ball remains in the U.S. Air Force Ready Reserve.[14]

Upon his separation from active duty, Ball returned to New York to work for Exceed International, a commercial development corporation, eventually becoming an Executive Vice President in the Northeast division.[1][15] In 2006, Exceed proposed a $75 million urban renewal project for the village of Brewster which would generate some $2 million a year in tax revenue for the town.[16] Village Mayor John Degnan noted that "All of the infrastructure work recently completed by defining our identity within the watershed has paid off. Brewster finds itself in a situation where people are eagerly interested in working with the village in partnership to see our village revitalized".[16]

Political career

2006 election

Greg Ball, a Vice President of Exceed International Corporation, during an economic development tour of India in 2005.[1]

In early 2005, Ball announced his candidacy for State Assembly as a Republican and stated he would attempt to unseat the incumbent Assemblyman Will Stephens in a primary.[17][18] Stephens' family had held the seat nearly continuously for eighty years: his grandfather, D. Mallory Stephens, represented the district from 1926 to 1952; his father, Willis Stephens Sr., held the seat from 1952 to 1982; and Stephens himself served from 1994 to 2006.[19] Ball received over $110,000 in campaign contributions for the race.[20][21] He was placed on the primary ballot by the signature of over 1800 petitioners.[22][23]

At times Ball's campaign was noted for its unorthodoxy, including hiring a man in a chicken suit to follow around the incumbent after Stephens refused to debate him.[24] Ball again garnered attention at an event in August of 2006 where he carried trash bags to a press conference and drew attention to Stephens, who also served as the legal counsel to the town of Southeast, New York, for having accepted $9,355 from Waste Hauling CEO, convicted felon and reputed mob boss James Galante, who was later awarded a $1.5 million no-bid garbage contract by the town board on Stephens' recommendation.[25] He was joined at this event by his eventual opponent in the general election, Democrat Ken Harper.[25] Both Ball and Harper referred to the State Legislature as "dysfunctional" during their campaigns.[26]

On September 12, 2006, in the Republican Primary for New York's 99th District, Ball defeated Stephens in a landslide with 70.4% (5,165 votes) to 29.6% (2,176 votes) for Stephens, the lowest vote total for any incumbent running for reelection to the State Assembly that day.[27][28] Stephens was the victim of a negative campaign, and cited mailings that were distributed calling him a 'country-club liberal' and highlighting his close relationship with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.[29][30] However, Stephens himself drew criticism when he refused to repudiate a letter about challenger Greg Ball which falsely claimed Mr. Ball had received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Air Force.[31][32][33][34] Ball did not dispute that he ran hard for his seat, knocking on 10,000 doors prior to the primary.[35]

Due to New York's electoral fusion system, the Assemblyman had vowed to remain in the race on the Conservative and Independence lines.[36] Ultimately, Stephens decided to withdraw from the race altogether, instead taking a nomination for a Judgeship on the New York State Supreme Court in Queens, in order to allow Ball ballot access on the Independence and Conservative lines.[37] Although Stephens attempted to have his name removed from the ballot, Ken Harper, the Democratic nominee, sued the State Board of Elections claiming that Stephens had filed a certificate declining his nomination eight days too late.[38] The New York Court of Appeals eventually ruled that Stephens name should remain on the ballot.[39]

Despite Stephens name remaining on the ballot, Ball went on to win a plurality of votes in the general election on November 6, 2006.[40][41] He was also buoyed by endorsements from the Poughkeepsie Journal, Fraternal Order of Police, Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith and Duchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson prior to the election.[42][43] His upset victory earned him the title of "Newsmaker of the Year" from one local publication and he also shared a front-page cover The Journal News with fellow upset winer John Hall the day after the election.[44]

First term (2007 – )

Former Active Duty Air Force Captain Gregory R. Ball participates in the 2007 Veterans Day parade of Pawling, NY carrying the flag of the POW-MIA.[1]

Ball has stated that "since my election victory, we have made extraordinary progress by elevating the debate on tough issues like taxes, illegal immigration and dysfunction in Albany."[48][49] He was sworn into office on January 8, 2007.[50][51] The first time Ball rose to speak in the Assembly chamber, he called the legislature "dysfunctional", and withstood boos from his colleagues.[52][53][54] He was unhappy because lawmakers voted to elect a colleague, Thomas DiNapoli as the new State Comptroller, disregarding the recommendations of a bipartisan panel appointed by former Governor Eliot Spitzer consisting of former state Comptrollers who suggested three separate finalists and had not found DiNapoli to be qualified for the job.[55][56] The next day, Governor Spitzer called Ball to express support for his sentiments.[57][58]

Ball stated that "It was not easy getting up as the new guy and standing up to tell a group of people what they don’t want to hear" but his speech became so popular that soon dozens of reporters began calling, he appeared on Fox News, excerpts from the floor speech popped up on numerous political blogs, his campaign web site received so many visits that its server crashed, and, a YouTube video of his remarks was ranked 80th among new videos the day it was uploaded.[35][59] Although the remarks were contentious, they echoed a fifty-six page study from the nonpartisan New York University School of Law's Brennan Center for Justice, which referred to the legislature as "the least deliberative and most dysfunctional in the nation".[60]

State and local tax reform

Ball again joined Spitzer, this time calling for property tax reform, and proposed an inflation-indexed cap on spending and school and property tax increases known as the "New York State Property Taxpayers Protection Act" similar to the measure adopted by Massachusetts and fourteen other states.[61][62][63][64][65] 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.[66][67][68] He is also in favor of school tax reform, and has called New York State's School Tax Relief (STAR) Program a "band-aid".[69] Governor David Paterson also hinted that he feels the STAR program has been ineffective in an April 2008 interview with WGDJ Talk 1300[70], and said the program may be cut or changed in the future.[71][72]

He has voted dozens of times against any bill that proposes tax increases[73], 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.[74] Ball was also dismayed when asked by Putnam county legislators to carry a bill to Albany during the 2007 county "budget crisis"[75], 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.[76][77]

Assemblyman Ball participated in Greasestock, an event in Yorktown, NY to encourage the use of renewable energy sources.[66]

Ball felt that the County legislature could have eliminated more "pork" from the county budget.[75][78] Another state legislator, Sandra Galef, eventually introduced the tax increase bill to the Assembly.[79] 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.[80][81] Hundreds of residents of Putnam County demonstrated outside Bondi's office in opposition to the tax increase, which was defeated.[82][83]

Ball pledged to deliver an Empire Zone to Putnam County during his campaign, and this became a reality in February of 2008.[84][85] 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 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.[86] Ball has also delivered dozens of grants for organizations throughout the 99th Assembly District, including the American Red Cross.[87][88][89][90]

Reaction to Governor Spitzer's resignation

Although both Spitzer and Ball had been elected on platforms of reform,[91] Ball called on the Governor to resign when the The New York Times reported that Spitzer had patronized a prostitution service called Emperors Club VIP[92] and met with a call girl under the alias "George Fox".[93][94]

Over the past year, my initial optimism has been replaced with a realistic view of an unfortunate Governor who has become a kamikaze pilot on cruise control. First gay marriage, then a budget so bloated it made drunken sailors cringe, then driver's licenses for illegal aliens, and now this. Lawmakers in Albany have been prostituting themselves to lobbyists and special interests for decades, but this Governor has evidently taken it to a whole new level. Early in my term as a new Assemblyman, I put my partisanship aside and looked forward to everything changing on 'Day One.' Indeed, maybe naïvely, I was actually optimistic of this Governor's ability to take on the entrenched special interests in a non-partisan fashion and finally bring needed reform. Our hopes for reform have once again been sunk by the politics of personal destruction and incompetence. This madness needs to end, and we have to finally begin focusing on the real issues: tax reform, ethics reform, term limits and a balanced budget.

— Greg Ball[95]

The Governor announced his resignation the day after Ball's comments, and left office on March 17, 2008.[96] He was replaced by his Lieutenant Governor, David Paterson.[97] Ball stated that "My heart and prayers go out to Mrs. Spitzer and the Spitzer family. Yet my heart also goes out to the millions of New Yorkers, of all political persuasions, who voted for this man believing that he, Spitzer, would finally champion the cause of the people and work to clean up Albany... Immediately, as a member of the Legislature, I will now welcome the new Governor. I look forward to a new, fresh start."[98][99]

Free college tuition for veterans

Ball announces his legislation that created a tuition remission program for veterans was passed by the State Legislature as part of the 2008-09 State Budget in April of 2008.[100]

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.[88] Ball authored the bill that created the tuition remission program for veterans, offering them free tuition at both SUNY and CUNY undergraduate and graduate institutions.[101][102][103] Although the first bill did not make it out of committee in 2007, after Governor Spitzer called on the Assembly to pass such a measure, Ball reintroduced the legislation and garnered thirty-one cosponsors.[104] State Senator Vinnie Leibell, whose Senate district encompasses the 99th Assembly District, announced the Senate would begin working to pass a similar measure.[105] Previously, the State of New York Higher Education Services Corporation offered tuition awards of $1000 per semester for military service.[106]

Ball's legislation was picked up by the entire Assembly Republican Conference through their 2008 legislative package.[107] 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.[108] Governor Eliot Spitzer included the measure in his 2008 executive budget proposal, and the measure was kept funded in Governor David Paterson's version.[109]

The landmark legislation created a tuition remission program for veterans, and was passed by both houses of the State Legislature as Part N, Article 7 of the $121.7 billion 2008-09 state budget State Budget.[110][111] The Assemblyman was pleased that the program was fully funded by the budget, but stated "there is much more we can do and I am proud to stand here today to call on my colleagues in both houses, on both sides of the aisle, to honor our veterans and thank them for their service through enactment of legislation that will help improve their quality of life."[112] Ball and the Republican Assembly minority conference eventually voted against the Assembly's version of the budget, citing "funny numbers accounting, out of control spending, and unfunded mandates", and were praised for their fiscal conservatism by Governor Paterson, a Democrat, who did not rule out using his veto pen for member items.[113][114]

Committee work and legislation

Template:Infobox New York Legislation 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.[115] He was also named as the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association "Assemblyman of the Year" for his dedication toward advocating for outdoor sports and sportsmen’s rights.[88]

The Assemblyman strongly opposes firearm microstamping, and participated in a discussion of the technology along side second amendment activists and representatives of the National Rifle Association and National Shooting Sports Foundation at a New York State Police shooting range in May of 2008.[116][117] The gun industry representatives were asked to leave by the event's organizers.[118] Ball had been invited by Assembly Democrat Michelle Schimel to the demonstration of microstamping technology.[119] Schimel's bill mandating microstamping was passed through the Assembly, against opposition led by Assemblyman Ball of 47 Assembly members of both parties, although the State Senate took no action on a similar item and it will not become law.[120][121] Gun control advocates want bullets fired from guns purchased in New York to be marked so they can be more easily traced to their origin, and have drawn criticism due to the unreliability of the technology, and production costs placed on the gun industry and passed on to gun owners.[122] The Assemblyman claims that the legislation unfairly impacts law abiding gun owners, as most homicides are committed with illegal firearms or guns purchased in another state that would not utilize microstamping.[123] As of 2008, only California had passed similar legislation.[124]

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and Assemblyman Ball disagreed on a number of issues, but worked together on several reform packages.[125][126]

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.[127] 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.[128]

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.[129][130] 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.[131]

The Assemblyman has carried legislation to Albany for other constituents, including a measure in May of 2008 known as "Hannah's Law" which ensures a Yorktown couple receives insurance coverage for the formula that keeps their three daughter alive, making it mandatory for insurers to cover formulas for patients with rare eosinophilic disorders, and removes the $2,500 annual caps imposed by insurance plans that pay for formula.[132]

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.[133][134][135] 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.[135]

Immigration issues

According to The Journal News, one key to Ball's success was that his campaign identified the concern local voters cared most about: illegal immigration.[136] The Assemblyman has stated that America is a great nation because of its immigration population, and he supports legal immigration, and a fairer, and more open immigration policy with secure borders.[3] Analysis based on 2008 estimates of the illegal immigrant population residing in New York indicates that population costs state taxpayers more than $5.1 billion per year for education, medical care and incarceration of these undocumented residents.[137][138] Ball claims that the economy penalizes legal immigrants, unfairly impacts law abiding business owners, and exploits illegal laborers.[3]

Assemblyman Ball delivering a speech from the floor of the Assembly Chamber in October of 2007.[55]

He was joined by former INS agents in a rally protesting a proposed work shelter for illegal immigrations in the village of Brewster.[139] Ball made illegal immigration a focal point of his bid for office.[7] In October of 2007, he strongly criticized Governor Spitzer's plan to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.[140][141][142][143] He was at the forefront of the opposition to the plan, and his Statewide petition to stop it led to the Assembly Minority Conference's decision to sue the Governor to stop the plan.[69][144]

The Assemblyman introduced a bill that authorizes local police to detain and begin the deportation process immediately for illegal immigrants caught committing a crime known as the New York State Criminal Illegal Alien Deportation and Legal Hiring Act, and also cosponsored a series of immigration bills that passed in the State Assembly to crack down on contractors breaking state labor laws such as prevailing wage and IRS tax form 1099 misclassification.[145][146][147][148][149] The lawmaker has attempted to avert misconceptions about what he is trying to do, stressing that his bill's provisions require ICE to perform monthly searches of the state's registered sex-offender list to find criminal aliens, stating that "It's sad to watch some people turn a law-enforcement issue into an 'us- versus-them' argument. This is solely about focusing on the most violent criminal illegal aliens and making sure they're deported so they can't strike again in the state of New York."[150]

In February of 2008, Ball hosted a summit on the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 287(g) program for law enforcement and elected officials from New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, co-hosted by Jim Pendergraph, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Executive Director from the United States Department of Homeland Security Office of State and Local Coordination.[151][152] He talked at length about the measure during a Fox News interview with Neil Cavuto.[153] The 287(g) partnership, created in 1996 under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA), includes a five week training program on how to avoid racial profiling, and 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.[154] 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.[151][155] Ball held another regional summit in April of 2008.[156][157] He emphasized that deporting nonviolent offenders before their sentence was up would save the state money.[158]

He has noted that illegal immigrants are not always automatically deported despite facing criminal charges.[154] 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.[151] 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."[152] The Assemblyman introduced a bill on behalf of 9/11 Families for a Secure America in April of 2008 that mandates implementation of the 287(g) program statewide.[159]

Ball has worked to promote businesses that hire legal immigrant laborers, and has begun to create a database for usage on his campaign website.[160] His campaign headquarters in Pawling, New York may have been targeted over the contentious issue, and was vandalized with swastikas in October of 2006, although the person or persons responsible misspelled the word "Fascist" twice.[161][162] An oft-quoted line from his campaign literature was that "Illegal Immigration is Illegal".[163][164] He was named "Albany's most ardent supporter of legal immigration" when he was appointed State Chairman of the national immigration reform group State Legislators for Legal Immigration.[165][166][167] Yet Ball declined to speak at an anti illegal-immigration forum in Danbury, Connecticut sponsored by United States Citizens for Immigration Law Enforcement, calling the group's rhetoric "over the top."[168][169][170]

Energy and conservation

While serving as a State Assemblyman, Ball maintains a commission as a Captain in the Air Force Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).[8]

While his campaign has called for the widening of New York State Route 22 and completion of the Bear Mountain State Parkway, Ball has called attention to both the economic and environmental impact of the project, stating that "its a huge concern. It must be expanded. I am willing to work with the environmentalists and regional planners to get this project off the ground once and for all".[171] The Ball campaign has also focused on promoting energy conservation, calling fuel prices "out of control" and vowing to establish tax credits for usage and production of alternative fuels, establish a state energy planning board, and cut fuel costs by eliminating the state sales tax on gasoline and alternative fuels.[172][173]

The fundamental reality is that with gas prices and oil import costs rising every year, we must chart a new course based on renewable, cleaner energies.

— Assemblyman Greg Ball[66]

The Assemblyman supported Greasestock, an yearly event held in Yorktown to showcase clean renewable energy.[174][175][176] The event was founded in 2003 by individuals interested in vegetable powered vehicles.[177] The event now includes a number of alternative fuel exhibits, showcasing new green technologies for vehicles and other applications.[178]

2008 election

At his Pawling, New York campaign headquarters, Assemblyman Ball and dozens of campaign volunteers gear up for his reelection bid in May of 2008.[179]

Ball was referred to as "one of the rising stars in the Republican Party"[180] during speculation that he would run against freshman Congressman John Hall in 2008, although he later ruled out a challenge against Hall.[48][181][182] Ball sent out a statement stating that, "I love being the assemblyman. There's a lot I'm accomplishing at the local level and there's still a lot that needs to be done."[183][184]

On March 17, 2008, Ball announced that he would be a candidate for reelection during an event at an Irish restaurant in Yorktown Heights, flanked by new Westchester GOP Chairman Douglas Colety, Putnam GOP Chairman Anthony Scannapieco, Jr., and Westchester County Executive candidate Rob Astorino.[185][186] Ball highlighted the fact that his campaign had received the most money and more contributions from individual donors then any other incumbent minority Assemblyman in the last quarter of 2007.[187] In a speech to supporters, Ball stated that "I'm a maverick Republican. I came into this business from outside the political machine. That makes me a target for Albany insiders."[188]

In early May of 2008, John Degnan, the former Mayor of Brewster, New York, announced he would be mounting a challenge to the freshman Assemblyman.[189] The Republican Assembly Campaign Committee issued a press release on Degnan's candidacy, stating that "There is no question that, unlike his opponent – who just last year ran with the backing of the Democrat Party – Assemblyman Greg Ball is a true Republican who has kept his promises. Greg Ball has been, and continues to be, a recognized leader in the fight to fix Albany by supporting real property tax relief, fiscal responsibility and the types of comprehensive reforms needed to repair a broken state government."[190][191]

Electoral history

New York State Assembly, 99th district, 2006General Election[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Greg Ball 20,956 50.8% Republican hold
Democratic Ken Harper 17,155 41.4%
Independence, Conservative Willis Stephens, Jr. (I) 3,228 7.8%
New York State Assembly, 99th district, 2006Republican Primary[192]
Candidate Votes % ±
Greg Ball 5,165 70.4% Challenger pickup
Willis Stephens, Jr. (I) 2,176 29.6%
Turnout 7,341

Courage Cup

File:Gregball7.jpg
Assemblyman Ball was joined by hundreds of supporters at his 2008 campaign kickoff in Yorktown, New York.[188][193]

In January of 2007, Ball became involved in a dispute with Andrea Rodgers and Keri Ann Meslar, who ran a charity polo tournament known as the "Courage Cup." Ball had been stationed at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C., where he organized the first Courage Cup in 2004, raising nearly $8,000 for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based Work to Ride program and other organizations.[194] The event was created to bring together Washington professionals and the polo community together for a good cause, and a good time, and grew to become one of the largest polo events on the east coast.[195] Ball founded the charity in 2004, prior to his run for office.[196] His former friends resisted his attempt to retake a leadership role in 2007, and Ball countered that he was the Courage Cup's rightful owner and that the two women stole his intellectual property.[197]

A Washington Post article from June of 2007 implied that one of the event directors offered tickets at difference price level with proceeds going to a Political Action Committee which would later support Ball, although Ball's campaign stated it had nothing to do with the fund raising and that the destination of profits from the event were clearly stated on the purchase form. Despite this, several Courage Cup supporters were surprised that what they believed were charitable contributions were used for political purposes.[198] Phillip Karber, a member of the board of directors for The Courage Cup who described himself as a neutral party, stated that "Ball has done a phenomenal job of getting this thing organized and getting it started. The new people did a good job of not letting it die."[194]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Official Biography of Assemblyman Greg Ball". New York State Assembly. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  2. ^ "Veterans To Receive Free SUNY Tuition". Westchester.com. April 15, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Ball, Greg. "Standing up against illegal economy based exploitation". New York State Assembly. March 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Committee memberships". New York State Assembly. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  5. ^ Benjamin, Elizabeth. "Reform Advocate No. 1?". Albany Times-Union. March 29, 2007.
  6. ^ a b "I was honored to serve as Greg Ball’s mentor while he was in the U.S. Air Force. When Greg was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant at the United States Air Force Academy, I was honored to pin on his rank and commission him as a young officer. As Greg excelled through the ranks and was promoted to Captain, I was honored to watch Greg perform as an outstanding young officer. Greg Ball graduated from the Air Force Academy, served in the White House Drug Policy Office, lived on Capitol Hill, and served in the 11th Wing in our Nation’s capital working directly for four star generals in the Pentagon and throughout the National Capitol Region. Few Lieutenants are chosen for such a demanding position."–Col. Joseph P. Green, USAF (Ret.), E-Mail to Bob Fois. June 6, 2006.
  7. ^ a b Klein, Benjamin. "Ball looks to hold people’s feet to the fire". Legislative Gazette. January 16, 2007.
  8. ^ a b "About Greg". Ball for Assembly. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  9. ^ Henderson, Robert E., ed. "A Dialogue on the Presidency with a New Generation of Leaders: Papers of the 2002-2003 Center Fellows". Washington, DC: CSP, 2003.
  10. ^ "Committees of the Board". Air Force Academy Association of Graduates. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
  11. ^ Greene, Mae. "Chamber of Commerce awardees". Pawling News-Chronicle. September 7, 2007.
  12. ^ "VOTER'S GUIDE: 99th state Assembly District". Poughkeepsie Journal. October 29, 2006.
  13. ^ Benson, John. "Town of Pawling 2005 Year in Review". Pawling News-Chronicle. December 29, 2005.
  14. ^ Benson, John. "Community salutes military families". Pawling News-Chronicle. December 20, 2006.
  15. ^ "The Next Economy". Exceed International. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  16. ^ a b "Plans call for $75 million urban renewal project of village's downtown". Putnam County Courier. March 24, 2006.
  17. ^ Wagenseil, Paul (June 30, 2005). "Politician Tells Voters They're Idiots". Associated Press. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "Pawling man seeks GOP support for Assembly". Poughkeepsie Journal. May 31, 2005.
  19. ^ "Index to Politicians: Stephens". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  20. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Greg’s been spending". The Journal News. July 13, 2006.
  21. ^ "New Yorkers on the Ball. 2006 July Periodic Report Summary Page". New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  22. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Ball’s in or at least his paperwork is". The Journal News. July 11, 2006.
  23. ^ "Pawling man sets his sights on state Assembly seat". Poughkeepsie Journal. April 27, 2005.
  24. ^ Risinit, Mike. "The chicken suit has been mothballed, sort of". The Journal News. May 31, 2006.
  25. ^ a b Barron, Sam (August 23, 2006). "Ball Fires at Will". North County News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |publisher= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ "Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues". League of Women Voters. Retrieved February 28, 2007.
  27. ^ Lopriore, Danny. "Ball Rolls". North County News. September 13, 2006.
  28. ^ "Primary 2006". NY1 News. September 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Strange bedfellows". The Journal News. August 10, 2006.
  30. ^ Rentz, Neal. "Nasty Race for State Assembly Seat Nears Finish Line". North County News. August 30, 2006.
  31. ^ Fois, Bob. "More On 99th: Cheap Shots On Military". News Copy. May 25, 2006.
  32. ^ "Ball Defeats incumbent Stephens for GOP Line in Assembly Race". The Journal News. September 2006. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ "Foe questions ethics of assemblyman's mailing". Poughkeepsie Journal. March 8, 2006.
  34. ^ Fois, Bob. "99th: Ball's military record assailed". News Copy. June 29, 2006.
  35. ^ a b Confessore, Nicholas. "Scolding Peers, Legislator Draws Notice". New York Times. February 10, 2007.
  36. ^ Wilbur, Martin. "Stephens drops out of race against Ball to pursue bench". North County News. December 10, 2006.
  37. ^ "99th Assembly District Race - Now the Fun". News Copy. September 14, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |publisher= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  38. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Stephens stays off ballot". The Journal News. October 27, 2006.
  39. ^ "HARPER v. NY STATE BD. OF ELECTIONS, 34 A.D.3d 919 (3d Dept 2006) No. 501448". New York Appellate Division Reports. November 2, 2006.
  40. ^ a b "NYS Board of Elections - Assembly - Vote - Nov. 7, 2006". New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved on February 22, 2008.
  41. ^ Lopriore, Danny. "Republican survives Democrat wave to win". North County News. November 22, 2006.
  42. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Sheriffs got their man". The Journal News. October 30, 2006.
  43. ^ "Ball has earned chance to serve". Poughkeepsie Journal. October 21, 2006.
  44. ^ Stone, Adam. "Greg Ball, John Hall". North County News. December 30, 2006.
  45. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Ball on the air". The Journal News. February 28, 2007.
  46. ^ "Leadership matters". Ball for Assembly. Retrieved May 20, 2008.
  47. ^ Rundgren, Todd. "Greg Ball interview". North County News. December 26, 2006.
  48. ^ a b Risinit, Mike. "Carmel assemblyman says he won't run for Congress in '08". The Journal News. December 31, 2007.
  49. ^ "GOP legislators tout 'Road to Reform'". Poughkeepsie Journal. April 21, 2007.
  50. ^ Kramer, Catherine. "Democrats don’t have monopoly on reform". Legislative Gazette. January 8, 2007.
  51. ^ "Valley Republicans take Assembly oath". Poughkeepsie Journal. January 3, 2007.
  52. ^ Hammond, Bill. "My voice will be heard". Daily News. February 8, 2007.
  53. ^ "Joint Legislative Session". New York State Assembly. 2007-02-07. SenNet TV. {{cite episode}}: External link in |network= (help)
  54. ^ Gallagher, Jay. "Different tune from freshman Putnam lawmaker". The Journal News. March 6, 2007.
  55. ^ a b "The true reformers: The 56 state legislators who refused to support Thomas DiNapoli for comptroller constitute an honor roll". Albany Times-Union. February 9, 2007.
  56. ^ Cooper, Michael. "" Legislators Pick a Comptroller, Defying Spitzer". New York Times. February 8, 2007.
  57. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Eliot's on the phone". The Journal News. February 9, 2007.
  58. ^ "Newcomer Ball slowly learns ropes". Poughkeepsie Journal. January 17, 2007.
  59. ^ "Colleagues boo freshman during scolding of Assembly". Poughkeepsie Journal. February 8, 2007.
  60. ^ Creelan, Jeremy and Moulton, Laura. "The New York State Legislative Process: An evaluation and blueprint for reform". New York University School of Law Brennan Center for Justice. Retrieved on February 28, 2008.
  61. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Ball on the Governors Address". The Journal News. January 10, 2008.
  62. ^ "Governor missed golden opportunity to curb spending". Poughkeepsie Journal. April 6, 2007.
  63. ^ Lucas, Ashley. "Assembly GOP hears residents on taxing issues". Legislative Gazette. June 18, 2007.
  64. ^ Barron, Sam. "School tax reform gains steam". North County News. May 30, 2007.
  65. ^ Haavie, Erikah. "Board encourages Assembly to focus on school tax relief". The Register-Herald. April 24, 2008.
  66. ^ a b c "Fuel Prices Are Out of Control". New York State Assembly. February 12, 2008. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
  67. ^ "Ball Keeps His Promise – Eliminates Pork Barrel and Reforms Budget Process". New York State Assembly. January 25, 2007.
  68. ^ "Bill Summary - A02755". New York State Assembly. Retrieved on March 23, 2008.
  69. ^ a b Macura, Susan. "Ball hosts Pawling Town Hall meeting". Pawling News Chronicle. April 10, 2008.
  70. ^ Spector, Joseph. "Paterson: Maybe STAR should be cut". Journal News. April 21, 2008.
  71. ^ "David Paterson, Neocon?". New York Sun. April 9, 2008.
  72. ^ Spector, Joseph. "Paterson may take aim at STAR rebates". Press & Sun-Bulletin. April 22, 2008.
  73. ^ Wieland, James. "News from Assemblyman Ball". Yonkers Insider. June 27, 2007.
  74. ^ Matthews, Cara. "Raging against the machine". The Journal News. June 21, 2007.
  75. ^ a b Elan, Susan. "Ball calls Putnam budget crisis forum". The Journal News. April 24, 2007.
  76. ^ Sternberg, Margaret. "Legislature Considers Alternatives Should Sales Tax Renewal and Increase Fall Through". Putnam County News and Recorder. May 2, 2007.
  77. ^ Sternberg, Margaret. "County Legislator O'Dell's Commission for Fiscal Vision and Accountability Tabled While Tamagna's and Ball's Budget Forum Looms". Putnam County News and Recorder. May 9, 2007.
  78. ^ Sternberg, Margaret. "County Sales Tax Renewal and .5 Percent Increase Approved in Committee". Putnam County News and Recorder. April 4, 2007.
  79. ^ Leiter, Maria. "County Legislature Approves Saltes Tax Increase". Putnam County News and Recorder. July 25, 2007.
  80. ^ Boisi, Patrick. "Bondi defends 40 percent tax increase, Ball calls for his resignation". North County News. September 12, 2007.
  81. ^ Anderson, Liz. "Ball to Bondi: Resign now". The Journal News. September 7, 2007.
  82. ^ Brenner, Elsa. "Taxes climb and tempers flare". New York Times. October 7, 2007.
  83. ^ "Budget 2008". Putnam County Finance Department. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
  84. ^ "Empire Zone comes to Putnam County". Ball for Assembly. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  85. ^ "State approves Putnam County Empire Zone". Mid-Hudson News. February 8, 2008.
  86. ^ Gross, Eric. "Empire Zone becomes reality in Putnam County". Putnam County Courier. February 14, 2008.
  87. ^ "Ball provides $10,000 to American Red Cross emergency preparedness program". North County News. February 13, 2008.
  88. ^ a b c "A Community News Letter: Pawling", vol 1., Issue 3. New York State Assembly. October 2007.
  89. ^ Foley, Kevin. "ARC in Greater NY Receives Grant for Computers at New Putnam Office". Putnam County News and Recorder. February 6, 2008.
  90. ^ "Ball Announces Grants for Town Of Somers". Westchester Times Tribune. July 7, 2007.
  91. ^ "Ball and Spitzer Standing Up for Reform". Westchester Times Tribune. February 15, 2007.
  92. ^ Feuer, Alan (2008-03-07). "Four Charged With Running Online Prostitution Ring". The New York Times.
  93. ^ CNN (2008-03-10). "Sources: Spitzer under prostitution investigation". Retrieved 2008-03-10. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  94. ^ Hakim, Danny (March 10, 2008). "Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring". N.Y. / Region. The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  95. ^ "Governor Spitzer caught in prostitution ring". Ball for Assembly. March 11, 2008.
  96. ^ Eliot Spitzer (March 12, 2008). "Full Text of Spitzer Resignation". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-12.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  97. ^ Confessore, Nicholas (March 13, 2008). "Hope for Harmony in a Shaken Albany". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-17. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  98. ^ Mansfield, Melissa (2008-03-12). "Paterson expected to stick to Spitzer's agenda". Newsday. Retrieved 2008-03-12.
  99. ^ "Governor Spitzer resigns". Ball for Assembly. March 18, 2008.
  100. ^ "Your legislators". Poughkeepsie Journal. April 13, 2008.
  101. ^ "Bill Summary - A08532". New York State Assembly. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  102. ^ Scott, Larry. "COMBAT VETS, GOING BACK TO VIETNAM, TO GET FREE TUITION AT N.Y. STATE UNIVERSITIES". VA Watchdog. April 16, 2008.
  103. ^ "Veterans To Receive Free Suny Tuition". Westchester-1. April 15, 2008.
  104. ^ "Bill Summary - A09701". New York State Assembly. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  105. ^ "Making college education more affordable". New York State Senate. March 1, 2007. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  106. ^ "Veterans Tuition Awards". New York State Higher Education Services Corporation. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
  107. ^ "Ball delivers for veterans". Ball for Assembly. April 8, 2008.
  108. ^ "The Whoville Legislative Register". New York Veterans of Foreign Wars. Vol. 5, No. 6. February 5, 2008.
  109. ^ "Part N – Amend the Education Law in relation to tuition assistance for veterans, Memorandum in Support Article VII Legislation, Education, Labor, and Family Assistance, Enacted Budget, 2008-09 New York State Executive Budget." New York State Division of the Budget. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
  110. ^ "The veteran community would like to thank the governor, Senate, Assembly, and Assemblyman Greg Ball, R-Carmel, ranking minority member of the Assembly Veteran Affairs Committee, for proposing and passing into law the New York State G.I. Bill. After Assemblyman Ball introduced the legislation ... this landmark program was included in the executive budget proposal, as well as in the budget plans submitted by both houses of the legislature. Assemblyman Ball first introduced this proposal in May of 2007 and we thank the Legislature for its quick action on this important bill. This legislation will afford a combat vet up to four years of free tuition at a SUNY or CUNY campus. This opportunity offers a good start to remove the many obstacles our service men and women face when they come home and assimilate back into the community. Assemblyman Ball and his colleagues are to be applauded for making this bill a top legislative priority. That landmark has been included in the 2008-09 state budget at a $2 million level of funding. This was a great victory for the thousands of veterans it will help. Indeed, it is incumbent upon all of us to get the word out to all of New York's combat veterans to take advantage of this historic program."–Joseph Franklin, Chairman of the National Disabled Veterans Business Council. Letter to the Editor, May 1, 2008.
  111. ^ "Ball to announce enactment of landmark program to provide Veterans with free college tuition". Ball for Assembly. April 10, 2008.
  112. ^ Neroulias, Nicole. "New York's new budget funds veterans tuition assistance". Journal News. April 10, 2008.
  113. ^ Benjamin, Elizabeth. "Paterson Praises Assembly GOP, Gets Standing Os". Daily News. April 14, 2008.
  114. ^ "Ball Alarmed By "Funny Numbers" Budget". New York State Assembly. April 1, 2008.
  115. ^ "New York Farm Bureau names 'Circle of Friends' in the State Legislature". New York Farm Bureau. September 11, 2007. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  116. ^ Risinit, Michael. "Ball at firearms demonstration". The Journal News. May 19, 2008.
  117. ^ "Microstamping Gun Cartridges". WTEN. May 19, 2008.
  118. ^ Merrill, Paul. "Gun bill jammed". FOX 23 News. May 19, 2008.
  119. ^ Senison, Heather. "Microstamping demonstration turns into heated debated". Legislative Gazette. May 19, 2008.
  120. ^ Karlin, Rick. "Bullet microstamping efforts appear stalled". Albany Times-Union. May 20, 2008.
  121. ^ "Microstamping demonstration held in Albany". Capital News 9. May 19, 2008.
  122. ^ Spector, Joseph. "Ball Video on Gun Legislation". The Journal News. May 19, 2008.
  123. ^ Waldron, Will. "Bullet debate". Albany Times-Union. May 19, 2008.
  124. ^ Bernstein, Jenn. "Microstamping demonstration held in Albany". News 10 Now. May 20, 2008.
  125. ^ Stone, Adam. "Ball pledges Albany reform". North County News. December 27, 2006.
  126. ^ "1 in GOP welcomes Spitzer reforms". Poughkeepsie Journal. March 14, 2007.
  127. ^ "Ball Supports Animal Rights". New York State Assembly. August 3, 2008.
  128. ^ Summers, Kathleen. "Advocates Take a Bite Out of Puppy Mills". Humane Society of the United States. November 27, 2007.
  129. ^ Flaim, Denise. "Puppy mills need to be stopped at the demand end". Newsday. December 13, 2007.
  130. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Meows and woofs instead of yays and nays". The Journal News. December 19, 2007.
  131. ^ "Animal Protection". Ball for Assembly. Retrieved March 10, 2008.
  132. ^ Elan, Susan. "'Hannah's Law' would help allergic child". The Journal News. May 19, 2008.
  133. ^ According to "Facts & Figures" from the 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.
  134. ^ Dumas, Bob. "Officials scramble to keep Pepsi in Somers". North County News. January 23, 2008.
  135. ^ a b Driscoll, Eugene. "Danbury trying to woo Pepsi". Danbury News-Times. February 13, 2008.
  136. ^ West, Debra. "The Greg Ball effect: An anti-illegal alien strategy takes root and thrives". The Journal News. August 12, 2007.
  137. ^ "Cost of Illegal Immigration to New Yorkers". FAIR. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
  138. ^ According to FAIR, a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization in the United States, the breakdown of the $5.1 billion in costs includes $4.3 billion annually one education for the children of illegal immigrants, $690 million in taxpayer funded, unreimbursed medical outlays for health care, and $165 million in incarcerating deportable illegal aliens in state and local prisons. The annual tax burden is approximately $874 per New York household. If revenues were raised by collecting sales, property and income taxes from illegal immigrants (an estimated $730 million), FAIR estimates that the net cost would still amount to more than $4.5 billion per year.
  139. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Just say no". The Journal News. June 26, 2007.
  140. ^ Chase, Kelly A. "DMV debate is focus of special session Cuomo set to defend state against legal challenges to new policy". Legislative Gazette. October 29, 2007.
  141. ^ Blain, Glenn. "Assembly GOP takes aim at Spitzer license plan". The Journal News. October 1, 2007.
  142. ^ Barron, Sam. "Ball strikes back, threatens to sue Governor Spitzer over drivers license policy". North County News. October 3, 2007.
  143. ^ "GOP group critical of Spitzer plan". Poughkeepsie Journal. March 2, 2007.
  144. ^ "Assembly GOP to Sue Governor and Dept. of Motor Vehicles". Westchester Times Tribune. October 4, 2007.
  145. ^ Matthews, Cara. "Debate continues on how to police illegal immigrants". Press & Sun-Bulletin. May 23, 2008.
  146. ^ Rojas, Marcela. "Proposed law bars Southeast contractors from hiring illegals". Journal News. April 11, 2008.
  147. ^ Anderson, Stacy A. "New bill regarding criminal illegal immigrants receives mixed response". Journal News. April 20, 2008.
  148. ^ Gross, Eric. "Ball's bill on illegal immigration divides public". Putnam County Courier. April 24, 2008.
  149. ^ Rae, Lea. "Greg Ball to announce enforcement bill". Journal News. April 16, 2008.
  150. ^ Matthews, Cara. "Lawmakers want local police to help regulate illegal immigrants". Democrat and Chronicle. May 25, 2008.
  151. ^ a b c Gross, Eric. "Ball criticizes immigration law enforcement training for local police forces". Putnam County Courier. February 21, 2008.
  152. ^ a b Driscoll, Eugene. "N.Y. lawmaker wants ICE in jails". Danbury News-Times. February 13, 2008.
  153. ^ "Assemblyman Ball on Neil Cavuto". Your World with Neil Cavuto. 2008-01-01. Fox News.
  154. ^ a b Hughes, Jennifer. "Police Seek Help in Criminal Deportation". New York Times. February 24, 2008.
  155. ^ "Pawling forum offers info on rape cases probe". Poughkeepsie Journal. December 16, 2007.
  156. ^ Rae, Leah. "Brewster, Suffern pursue immigration enforcement role". The Journal News. February 10, 2008.
  157. ^ Rae, Leah. "Ball immigration bill opposed by state correction officials". Journal News. April 19, 2008.
  158. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Ball seeks to deport illegal immigrants convicted of crimes". Journal News. April 18, 2008.
  159. ^ Gadiel, Peter. "NY State Introduces Bill To Ban Sanctuary Cities & Require Enforcement Of Immigration". Family Security Matters. April 24, 2008.
  160. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Move over, Yellow Pages". The Journal News. April 25, 2007.
  161. ^ "GOP candidate is target of vandals". Poughkeepsie Journal. November 2, 2006.
  162. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Definitely a trick". The Journal News. November 1, 2006.
  163. ^ Applebome, Peter. "When an Election Becomes a Forum on Immigration". New York Times. November 11, 2007.
  164. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Assemblyman Ball discusses illegal immigration and public safety". The Journal News. December 13, 2007.
  165. ^ "Lawmakers for Legal Immigration". Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  166. ^ "Ball Named States Chairman of National Legal Immigration Group". Ball for Assembly. Retrieved on February 24, 2008.
  167. ^ Rae, Leah. "Greg Ball joins national lawmakers against alien ‘invasion’". The Journal News. February 14, 2008.
  168. ^ Homayonpour, Marietta. "Should Danbury partner with ICE?". Danbury News-Times. December 31, 2007.
  169. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Not visiting Connecticut". The Journal News. April 30, 2007.
  170. ^ "United States Citizens for Immigration Law Enforcement". Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  171. ^ Gross, Eric. "Supervisor Rights criticizes DOT for detouring Route 22 expansion". Putnam County Courier. March 6, 2008.
  172. ^ Berg, Weston. "Village Hall rally asks Congress to Step it Up". Pawling News-Chronicle. April 20, 2007.
  173. ^ "Report: Green bills do well in Legislature". Poughkeepsie Journal. October 19, 2007.
  174. ^ "Greasestock 2008". Greasestock. Retrieved May 20, 2008.
  175. ^ Max, Josh. "Gas-guzzlers become veggie delights at Greasestock in Yorktown Heights". Daily News. May 13, 2008.
  176. ^ "Greasestock 2008: Alternative Fuel, Fun and French Fries". Natural Awakenings. May 2008.
  177. ^ Norman, Jim. "Where There’s Never an Oil Shortage". New York Times. May 13, 2007.
  178. ^ Tillman, Adriane. "Greasestock Festival returns, bigger and better". May 14, 2008.
  179. ^ "The Ball Express: Volunteer Night at Campaign Office". Ball for Assembly. May 12, 2008.
  180. ^ Blain, Glenn. "Could it be Ball vs. Hall in 2008?". The Journal News. December 4, 2007.
  181. ^ Risinit, Mike. "Ball may run for House seat". The Journal News. December 17, 2007.
  182. ^ Blain, Glenn. "Ball not running for Congress". The Journal News. December 31, 2007.
  183. ^ "Ball wants to stay in Assembly, forgoing challenge for Congress". Poughkeepsie Journal. January 1, 2008.
  184. ^ "Hall admits '07 had its pitfalls". Poughkeepsie Journal. December 27, 2007.
  185. ^ "St. Patrick's Day Brunch". Ball for Assembly. Retrieved on March 16, 2008.
  186. ^ Tara Rosenblum, Anchor (2008-03-16). "Ball launches re-election". Evening edition. News 12 Networks Westchester. N12WC.
  187. ^ "A1887. New Yorkers on the Ball". New York Board of Elections. January 2008.
  188. ^ a b "Top stories: Westchester assemblyman kicks off election campaign". News 12 Networks. March 16, 2008.
  189. ^ Risinit, Michael. "Ex-mayor challenges 99th's Ball". Poughkeepsie Journal. May 12, 2008.
  190. ^ "RACC’S GOT GREG BALL’S BACK". New York State Republican Assembly Campaign Committee. May 19, 2008.
  191. ^ Risinit, Michael. "Ball has a friend in RACC". The Journal News. May 19, 2008.
  192. ^ "September 12, 2006 Primary Vote Assembly Districts". New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved on February 22, 2008.
  193. ^ "Ball seeks another Assembly term". Mid-Hudson News. March 17, 2008.
  194. ^ a b "Assemblyman Ball trading shots in D.C. charity polo event debate". The Journal News. February 2, 2007
  195. ^ "About the event". Courage Cup. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  196. ^ "Assemblyman defends aid from fundraiser". Poughkeepsie Journal. June 13, 2007.
  197. ^ Argentsinger, Amy and Roberts, Roxanne. "Courage Cup Organizers Cross Polo Mallets". Washington Post, C03. February 6, 2007.
  198. ^ Argentsinger, Amy and Roberts, Roxanne. "Courage Cup: Ponying Up For Whose Charity?". Washington Post, C01. June 12, 2007.
A snapshot from Assemblyman Ball's (bottom right) hirelegally.com website.[1]
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  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference hirelegally was invoked but never defined (see the help page).