“The Assembly budget proposal puts the needs of our community first by making the affordability crisis our top priority. Providing relief from the financial burden facing families and businesses because of inflation is essential to move our state forward.

“Our proposal prioritizes key initiatives aimed at reducing the rising cost of living, including income tax cuts for middle-class families and businesses, inflation relief checks and a brand-new New York Works tax credit. Importantly, the Assembly’s budget proposal takes the burden of lingering UI debt off of the backs of businesses.

“Several of the significant priorities I have advocated for are reflected in the Assembly budget proposal. Specifically, programs critical for our region’s dairy farms, sheep farms and textile industry have been included; funding to expand BOCES CTE programs so that more young people can pursue education to prepare them for a career path; expansion of the Doctors Across NY program to include dentists helping to attract dentists to practice in the many dental shortage areas in rural communities; pension parity for Parks Police, EnCon Officers, Forest Rangers, and University Police; additional support for nursing homes and; funding for housing programs to make homeownership attainable for young people just starting out.

“While our budget proposal is a step in the right direction, there is still more work to be done. The modest increase in funding for nursing homes, while welcome, falls far short of what is needed to ensure the nursing homes are financially stable. And, simply closing prisons is not going to make facilities a safer place to work, nor address the critical staffing shortage in our correctional facilities: we need to address the regulations, policies, practices that are impacting the safety of these facilities for those who work there and those who are incarcerated.

“I’m committed to advocating for the needs of all New Yorkers while protecting industries that drive our economy, such as the agricultural industry, the backbone of our great state. With uncertainty surrounding our international trade agreements, it’s now more important than ever to focus on strengthening our local economy and supporting our hardworking farmers.

“As we continue budget negotiations in Albany, I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and the governor to provide families with a solid economic foundation, enabling them to live secure, prosperous lives.”