Minority Brian Kolb: Governor Paterson’s Comments On The State Parks Were “Absurd”

Statement from New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua):

May 26, 2010

“Governor Paterson’s comments this afternoon – on the breakdown of a deal to re-open our state parks and historic sites – were absurd. The Governor was the one who closed the parks in the first place and now, in the face of intense public criticism, he is trying to deflect the blame. It is up to the Governor to release the funding necessary to re-open the parks, especially before the Memorial Day holiday arrives. If the Governor wanted to re-open the parks, he could do so today. For him to try to indicate otherwise is ridiculous.

Even more ridiculous, we have less than 21 hours to close a $2 billion budget gap and not one meeting has been held so far. There have been zero signs of progress nor has any plan been unveiled as the deadline quickly approaches.

I also respectfully disagree with the Governor’s comment that the ‘Legislature fails to grasp the magnitude of the economic problems that are facing the state.’ I understand the magnitude, as does our entire Assembly Minority Conference. For years, we have continually warned about the growing budget deficit and consistently offered specific solutions to close the shortfall. It is up to the Majorities to come up with a plan that does not raise taxes or increase borrowing and actually reduces the size and cost of state government, as our Conference and I have called for.”

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