State Operations Budget Bill

Health Exchanges

"The bill’s New York Health Insurance Exchange will cost taxpayers $190 million to voluntarily comply with ObamaCare. We’re not going to cut healthcare costs with that kind of bloated bureaucracy. It is a DMV for New Yorkers to purchase healthcare. In the internet era, we can run a program like this at a much lower cost. Over half the states have refused to set up their own exchanges in favor of federally run exchanges. The future costs are uncertain, but New Yorkers will be on the hook for the cost. Why? So, the governor can stand with his party’s president. We should have set aside national politics and done what was right for New York.”

Thruway Authority

“We’re also throwing good money after bad with another $24 million in state support for the grossly mismanaged Thruway Authority. This is subsidizing inefficiency, dysfunction, and waste. The Thruway Authority needs to run more efficiently, not come back to Albany again and again for more tax dollars.”

Capital Projects Budget Bill

Stadium Luxury Box

“The Yankees gave Governor Paterson a few free tickets and it landed him in trouble. The Bills are giving Governor Cuomo’s office a luxury box in exchange for $56 million from taxpayers. Whether you’re a Bills, Giants, or Jets fan, all of New York should agree that taxpayer-funded stadiums shouldn't come with luxury boxes for the governor's office.”

SAFE Act

“The SAFE Act will cost the state $27 million to register law-abiding citizens. No one really expects criminals to try to register their guns. That $27 million doesn't buy New Yorkers any safety.”

Government-run ski resort

“It’s tough enough to do business in New York without the government opening up a publicly-run competing business. Belleayre ski resort loses money and competes with private ski resorts. Do the governor’s 'new' New York commercials mention that the state might try to compete with your business?”