Assemblyman Zebrowski Statement on the 2019-20 State Budget

“My first job in the State Legislature is to represent the unique interests of Rockland County residents. As a high-cost suburban county in the metro area, Rockland is besieged by taxes and fees but does not have the transit and economic infrastructure of New York City or Westchester. I have spent my career standing up for Rockland and fighting this inequity and last night was no exception. I voted against the revenue bill of the State Budget that shortchanged Rockland residents.

This bill:

  • Enacted a congestion pricing plan that failed to take Rockland residents into consideration. The plan ignores the fact that Rockland taxpayers already pay much more in taxes to the MTA than it receives back in service. Rocklanders are forced to drive into the city because of our lack of transit options. Now residents will face a fee, in addition to the tolls we already pay, to get into midtown or downtown Manhattan.
  • Authorized the State to unfairly collect a portion of additional internet sales tax receipts; cutting off needed revenue for our counties.
  • Once again makes unnecessary changes to the STAR program; forcing some families to switch to a rebate check rather than a direct reduction on their tax bill. It also unfairly caps the growth of the STAR exemption program at 0%; forcing residents to transition to the rebate check process.
  • Did not adequately fund Rockland schools and once again ignored the North Rockland debt crisis. However, Senator Skoufis and I have secured a written and verbal commitment to address North Rockland post-budget.
  • Created another unelected panel that can make major policy decisions related to public campaign financing. This panel's recommendations will be binding, circumventing public input.

Given these proposals, I could not in good conscience go along with this misguided budget bill. I will continue to fight against these inequities for the rest of the legislative session.”