A package of bills promoted as a measure to cut taxes and spending and aid job growth was approved in the state Senate this week.

The aim of the Senate’s “2012 New Jobs-NY Job Creation Plan” (S.7448) should help business create jobs by cutting taxes for small businesses and manufacturers, reducing energy costs, and enacting fiscal reforms to make New York State more competitive, according to Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton).

It was accompanied by a separate measure aspiring to permanently rein in state spending, “to prevent the reckless, out-of-control spending that contributed to the state’s previous fiscal crisis,” a statement from Ritchie’s office said.

Highlights of the Senate’s jobs plan include:

· tax cuts for small business, including a 20 percent reduction in the corporate tax, 10 percent cut in income taxes and elimination of a state tax on manufacturers

· removing a 2009 increase in the state’s energy tax

· new tax incentives for businesses that create jobs

· a new tax credit for hiring a returning veteran, and

· a new “angel investor” tax credit to encourage investments in start-up businesses.

The other measure, S.716, would cap state spending at the rate of inflation.

“When it comes to getting our economy back on track here in New York State, job creation is key,” said Ritchie. “This plan gives job creators the tools they need—like relief from taxes and lower energy costs—to put more New Yorkers back to work and jump-start our economy.”