This year’s budget is a huge disappointment, falling well short of fixing our state’s fiscal crisis while raising taxes on the people of New York by nearly $1.5 billion. Majority leaders in both the Assembly and Senate have refused to cut spending, instead choosing to build revenue through taxing small businesses and the hardworking people of our state. They are creating an environment where the only option left for New Yorkers will be to flee to less expensive states.
Despite this, I refuse to give in to the status quo and Albany’s usual tax and spend policies. I have voted over 350 times against new taxes and fees and will continue to vote against any tax or fee that Albany dreams up. Raising taxes is not the way to solve our financial problems. In order to build a stable foundation for our state government, we should be budgeting more wisely and using a more conservative approach to spending. New York residents have been forced to do this in order to pay the egregious taxes imposed on them by Albany politicians; state government should learn to live within their means, too. I promise not to break the faith and trust my constituents have placed in me. If I am the last one standing, I will continue fighting to make the voices of the hardworking families of New York heard.
This fiscal crisis did not happen overnight – it took years of bloated budgets and irresponsible leadership from the Majority conference and those who chose to go along with them. I have not supported these decisions and I will not support any additional spending. This budget was created in the private chambers of the Majority conference with no input from those of us who represent the majority of Upstate and Western New York. This closed-door process eliminated the opportunity for healthy debate and the ability to explore new and innovative ideas that will help our state. New Yorkers are angry and fed up, as they should be, but they don’t stand alone because I’m livid as well. That’s why I voted ‘no’ on this disastrous budget.