Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt (R,C,I-Greenwood Lake) voted against a legislative resolution today that contained the Assembly Majority Conference’s budget, citing the lack of due process, imposition of new taxes and increased spending.
“Over the last three years, we have seen taxes increase by at least $15 billion. This budget proposal adds roughly $5 billion, but includes no specified funding equations, so we really have no idea if this plan is balanced or not and it would be irresponsible to support,” said the assemblywoman.
While Assemblywoman Rabbitt did vote against the plan, she said she supported a few of the initiatives in the proposal, especially the removal of the $100 million in new funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that was proposed in the Executive Budget.
She said, “I certainly support any proposal that aims to make the MTA more accountable; however, this plan just doesn’t go far enough. The MTA payroll tax must be rescinded completely. I will continue urging my colleagues in both houses to include this provision as we continue negotiating a final state budget.”
In lieu of bringing their budget proposal to the floor as individual bills today, the Assembly Majority merged their entire proposal into one legislative resolution, forcing lawmakers to vote either “yes” or “no” on the entire proposal.
Assemblywoman Rabbitt said, “This was only a one-house measure. The senate has been working on their own budget. What we really need are both houses to come together, out in the open, and begin negotiating to build consensus. As the days continue to countdown to April 1, I will be looking for a responsible, sustainable state budget that rescinds the MTA payroll tax.”