Witnessing firsthand the budget process here in Albany as a freshman legislator has been utterly frustrating. The taxpayers of my district and the entire state truly deserve so much better, and must have an open and fully transparent process.

Today the Assembly was presented with a 1,735-page budget extender because Albany’s three or four men in a room failed to negotiate an on-time budget by April 1. We were asked to vote on the bill with just a few hours to read and review this substantial document to keep our state running for the next two months. There has been no time to carefully evaluate this measure to ensure the taxpayers and school districts are protected. For example, by implementing this extender school districts are not being provided any predictability in state aid and no ride-sharing for Upstate New York is contemplated.

It is a disgrace that this is how business is conducted in Albany, and I firmly believe that serious reforms are needed to open the budget process. I stand ready to continue to work for the people of Western New York and advocate for our concerns and fair share.