I am pleased that the Governor has proposed closing our state’s $1.3 billion budget deficit by controlling state spending and not raising taxes, especially in light of the fiscal implications of Hurricane Sandy. It is important that we send the right message to the private sector that we are going to maintain our fiscal discipline in order to foster private sector investment and job creation, which is our state’s most important priority.

I am, however, very concerned about the lack of unfunded mandate relief for our local governments and school districts in order to help address the rising costs which continue to drive up local budgets and, therefore, property taxes for families and small businesses.

In addition, it is important that we recognize and reinforce the need to improve our local roads and bridges by focusing a portion of our state's transportation funding on increased Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding.

This is just the beginning of the budget process, and there are still many more details which need to be examined. I look forward to beginning the public hearing process and to receive input and suggestions from the residents of the 132nd Assembly District on ways we can work to improve this proposal and address the fiscal challenges facing our state.

Palmesano was reelected in November to his second term in the Assembly. He now represents the new 132nd Assembly District, which consists of the majority of Steuben County, all of Schuyler and Yates counties and portions of Chemung (Towns of Caitlin, Erin, Van Etten and Veteran) and Seneca (Towns of Covert, Lodi, Ovid and Romulus) counties.