“Today, I voted to keep the state government open by passing a budget extender. While it was not the outcome I was hoping for, it will prevent a state government shutdown that would’ve devastated Central New York.

“Without this measure, schools and emergency services wouldn’t have received funding. State employees wouldn’t have received a paycheck. Vital institutions such as SUNY ESF, SUNY Upstate Medical and Onondaga Community College would’ve become nonoperational.

“A budget extender is far from ideal and it’s only a temporary solution. But it gives us the opportunity to keep working on a fair state budget that address Central New York’s concerns. I’ll keep fighting to come up with a plan that invests in our schools, affordable housing, infrastructure and the local economy.”