Thursday, April 1, is the day that the governor and legislature should have produced an on-time budget that closes a projected $9.05 billion budget deficit, spurs on our economy, creates jobs, and does all of this without burdening the middle class with more taxes and fees. While the deadline has passed, and I admit that this is a daunting task, it is possible. We must have a budget process that is conducted with complete transparency and that allows every legislator to offer up their own suggestions so that all areas of New York State are properly represented.
One month before the budget was due, I was appointed by the Assembly Minority Leader to represent our conference on the bi-partisan Economic Development Budget Conference Committee. The purpose of budget conference committees is to hammer out details in their specific budget bill after revenue has been agreed upon and distributed by the General Conference Committee. For four weeks, the Assembly Minority Conference has stood ready to craft a more effective, responsible budget that ushers in an era of fiscal responsibility and bold reform in order to improve the quality of life for New York families.
Unfortunately, the Majorities have yet to call these committee meetings. It is time for them to come to the table and get serious about working to enhance economic development in New York State. The current proposal to add $2 billion in new borrowing and an additional $1 billion in new taxes, fees and surcharges is not the way to help our economy. This will only lead to a larger deficit, higher taxes and more businesses and people fleeing our state.
Fiscal mismanagement, runaway spending and ill-conceived tax policy have driven the state into a series of ever-worsening budget deficits. At a time when the average New Yorker is struggling to make ends meet, the state government continues down a path of ruin. We need to reverse this course by adopting a responsible spending plan that does not resort to new tax increases or borrowing.
The men and women of our Assembly Minority Conference are eager to move forward with a responsible spending plan that meets New York's needs and addresses its long-term fiscal challenges head-on. We stand ready to craft a budget in an open, bi-partisan fashion that has a real plan for economic revitalization. A plan that makes the Empire State more affordable for families and promotes a more business-friendly environment that will create jobs and help struggling businesses survive the current economic crisis. The people of this state deserve nothing less than a budget that lays the groundwork for a stronger financial future.
If you have any questions or comments about the state budget or any other state issues, please don’t hesitate to contact me at either my Johnstown office at (518) 762-6486, or my Herkimer office at (315) 866-1632.