"Governor Spitzer's announced 21-day amendments confirm the reality that his proposed 2008-09 Executive Budget had contained a level of spending that was unsustainable and patently unwise for a state struggling to weather a recessionary economy. However, overtaxed New Yorkers aren't out of the woods yet. Contained within the Governor's amendments are more fee increases on top of the 51 newly proposed or increased fees contained within his original Executive Budget that we estimated to cost the average New York family $473. One area of particular concern is the assessment on health insurance companies, a cost that will likely be passed onto consumers, making health care even more expensive and out of reach for more people. This seems to run contrary to his call for 'an affordable health care system available to all.' The Governor's amendments indicate that his administration has finally begun to recognize the grim economic realities that New York faces. As I have said, this budget cycle will require many difficult choices and recognition that state government cannot tax-and-spend its way out of this recession. Controlling spending, cutting taxes, enacting a tax cap, this is the medicine our state economy desperately needs."