Assemblyman Brian Miller (R,I,C,Ref-New Hartford) joined Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) and members of the Assembly Minority Conference at a press conference today highlighting their priorities for this year’s state budget.

“I am focused on budget items that matter to our local municipalities and the residents we serve. After initially proposing a significant cut in funding for our towns and counties, which I am absolutely opposed to, the governor has decided to make it up on the backs of the counties through internet sales tax revenues,” said Miller. “His newest proposal does not guarantee the full amount of AIM funding will be made up. That is why I am focused on fighting to have this funding fully restored – in the budget – for the benefit of our municipalities.

“Additionally, our local libraries – which offer many services to our communities – are in danger of having their funding cut to the lowest levels since the 2015-16 fiscal year,” continued Miller. “Our libraries have become community centers and have always been information centers for our residents, especially in more rural regions. Now, with the census approaching, our libraries are in need of even more resources to keep up with the higher volume of residents they are servicing, particularly in areas with less access to broadband internet. It is imperative that this funding is restored in the enacted budget.”

With a district that spans from just outside of Utica in Oneida County, down to Montgomery in Orange County, with towns in Herkimer, Otsego, Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster counties as well, the condition of local roads, bridges and water infrastructure is also important to Miller and the residents he represents.

“In representing our residents, I travel parts of seven counties. I take the local roads our residents have to use daily and I know how hazardous some of them are,” said Miller. “I am also concentrating on delivering increased CHIPS, Extreme Winter Recovery and other infrastructure funding for the improvement and upkeep of the roads we travel every day and the safety of everyone on them.”

Other priorities for Miller and his colleagues include: additional funding for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), sustaining middle-class tax cuts and providing relief from burdensome unfunded mandates for our local towns and counties.