January 18, 2022
From Congressman Lee Zeldin:
“For New Yorkers, the hits keep on coming! Kathy Hochul is doubling down on the tax and spend, Albany-knows-best mindset that has failed New York for too long. Albany’s never-ending assault on the wallets of hardworking New Yorkers has been relentless and unsustainable. Hochul’s $216 billion budget demands New Yorkers dig deeper into their wallets. This is one of the primary reasons why New York leads the nation in population loss percentage and why every single day more and more New Yorkers hit their breaking point and flee the state for good.”
From Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes:
“Gov. Hochul presented her $216 billion 2022-23 Executive Budget today all in seventeen minutes. Despite the brevity, I was pleased that she addressed preparing the state’s operating reserves and spoke on the need to spend cash instead of further indebting future generations of New Yorkers. She also promised to make a significant investment in infrastructure. We know that potholes and bridges in disrepair are major concerns across our region. Like the governor, I hope to see these priorities in the final budget, along with tax relief. However, budget negotiations are just beginning. Time will tell how far downstate-driven interests influence the final budget agreement.”
From Assemblyman Phil Palmesano:
“The governor’s $216.3 billion Executive Budget is just the beginning of this process, and I look forward to the upcoming legislative budget hearings to more closely examine the proposal and get more specific details and answers regarding the governor’s spending priorities. One thing is for certain, we cannot adopt another bloated state budget like was advanced last year by Albany Democrats with their tax-and-spend policies. As inflation continues to take its toll on everything from gas and groceries to energy prices, and the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our small businesses, this budget must address the everyday strain, concerns and needs of our state’s families, farmers, small businesses and manufacturers to help our state’s recovery by revitalizing our economy. Inflation is at the top of everyone’s minds right now, which is why the ‘Inflation Relief and Consumer Assistance Plan’ (A.8481) is such a key piece of legislation at this time that will help provide relief to New Yorkers by slashing sales tax for two years.
“Mandates from the governor, over-taxation, over-regulation and an unfriendly business environment are all hindering our state’s recovery. In her State of the State address, Gov. Hochul acknowledged the 300,000 New Yorker’s that left our state last year alone. Our state budget must re-instill confidence within New York families, farmers, small businesses and manufacturers. Simply put, our current course is unsustainable.
“Although Gov. Hochul discussed taxation and COVID relief for small businesses, the fact of the matter is the state has $9.4 billion in unemployment debt that needs to be paid back to the federal government. It is imperative that this debt not be totally passed down and put on the backs of our small business owners, manufacturers and farmers who have made countless sacrifices over the last two years. The state has record amounts of dollars from the federal government. In fact, we have a surplus of federal funds. These funds should be used to help cover the unemployment shortfall, as other states are doing, so business owners are not further crushed by increased unemployment insurance taxes. This assistance will provide critical relief to our job creators, helping to rebound and revitalize our state’s economy that was already so negatively impacted by COVID restrictions, closures and lockdowns.
“As I said in my response to the State of the State, the governor needs to make sure we have parity with our infrastructure investment spending to ensure a proper balance in our capital spending plans. We have heard a lot of talk around making improvements to downstate infrastructure, like the MTA system in New York City, which is important. On the same token, our upstate infrastructure, in particular funding for our local roads, bridges and culverts, through important programs like the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), are in serious need of attention as well. Critical investments in our local infrastructure will help foster economic development, increase safety and ensure upstate taxpayers see some of their state tax dollars coming back into their communities here in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Region. This has always been a priority of mine and one that I will continue to advocate for during the upcoming budget cycle.
“Finally, and most importantly, I have and will continue to fight for adequate and critical funding for one of New York’s most vulnerable groups, the developmentally disabled. This must be an absolute top priority for our state in this year’s state budget. COVID has taken a massive toll on their programs, services and quality of life, in addition to the dedicated direct-support professionals who are tasked with their care. Budgeting is all about priorities, and if we are not taking care of our most vulnerable citizens, what does that say about us as a state and our priorities.
“I welcome the opportunity to work with Gov. Hochul and my legislative colleagues in a bipartisan manner to address the concerns and needs facing New York families and businesses to push to advance a budget that is balanced, fair and equitable for all New Yorkers.”
From Senator George Borrello:
“As we begin 2022, Governor Hochul is leading a state that is struggling economically, ravaged by increases in violent crime and losing more residents than any other state in the nation. We urgently need a change in direction in order to save our state and safeguard its future.
“To that end, I am encouraged that the proposed budget doesn’t rely on new taxes or fees and includes some initiatives that would benefit middle-class taxpayers, including an acceleration of the historic income tax cuts authored by the former Senate Republican Majority and a $2.2 billion property tax rebate program.
“Small businesses, which have been the hardest hit segment of our economy throughout the pandemic, are still struggling to recover from their losses. While the Governor has proposed modest small business relief, the best way New York State could help is by directing billions in unspent federal aid to ease the crushing unemployment insurance tax rates the state has levied on small employers to replenish the depleted UI fund. It is not only unfair to ask small businesses to bear the burden of the government’s mistakes, it is stifling our economic recovery.
“Also of concern is the lack of robust investment to expand the ranks of state and local law enforcement personnel. The disastrous criminal justice reforms forced on our state by radical Democrats have made our cities and neighborhoods more dangerous than they have been in decades. The heightened risks of the job have spurred an exodus from the profession that has only exacerbated our public safety challenges. While repealing these policies remains our top priority and one we will pursue through legislation, budget support for this sector is also crucial.
“Governor Hochul hit the nail on the head when she acknowledged in today’s comments that the ‘pandemic did not create all the problems we face today.’ However, she failed to acknowledge the root cause: a dangerous combination of bad policy and bad politics.
“In the coming days, my Senate Republican colleagues and I will be reviewing the details of the Executive Budget and advancing our own plans aimed at supporting our “Take Back New York” initiative. New Yorkers deserve a state that is safer, stronger and more economically vibrant. Realizing that goal will be my focus this session.”
