As the capital prepares to hear Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State message this afternoon, members of the Senate’s Republican conference are discussing “ideas and proposals that will best serve the state’s hardworking taxpayers and their families,” according to Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome.

Griffo represents a large area of the North Country, including the towns of Massena, Brasher, Norfolk, Stockholm, Potsdam, Pierrepont, Russell, Clifton, Fine, and Pitcairn in St. Lawrence County.

“This year offers an opportunity for us to address important issues that matter to the people of New York,” said Griffo, who serves as deputy Senate majority whip.

As a kind of counter state-of-the-state message, the conference has come up with a wide-ranging “Blueprint for a Stronger New York,” stressing “affordability, opportunity and security,” Griffo said in a statement to the press.

They will be attempting a “comprehensive review of the state’s economic development strategy and making it easier for small businesses to thrive by removing burdensome regulations, as well as continuing to build on our efforts to combat heroin and opioid addiction and not raising taxes to close a multi-billion dollar budget gap.”

“I am hopeful that this “blueprint,” with details to follow, will help New York State grow and that it will help the state’s residents, families and business owners thrive,” the senator said.

“The Conference has been successful in proposing and taking action on a number of issues that will benefit residents across the state,” he said.

He noted highlights of previous sessions, such as a $4.2 billion income tax cut “and the property tax cap we put in place in 2011 has protected taxpayers from $23 billion in higher taxes”

He also pointed to a Women’s Equality Agenda “that ensures equal pay for women that also combats discrimination, harassment and violence against women, and a record $2.5 billion for clean water initiatives throughout the state.”