Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today commented on some positives and negatives of the newly adopted state budget.

“Although this represents our third straight on-time budget, and does contain several positive provisions, I also believe this budget represents some missed opportunities to provide a better business climate for our job creators, in addition to providing a devastating and unacceptable cut to our state’s most vulnerable New Yorkers – the developmentally disabled,” said Palmesano.

“I applaud the long overdue increase in funding to improve our local roads and bridges through the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs), the increase in funding for our schools and libraries and a tax cut for our state’s manufacturers.

“The additional $75 million for CHIPs for our local roads and bridges represents a 20 percent increase above last year and will provide a much-needed boost to our local communities to help them maintain and improve their local infrastructure.”

Along with Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Palmesano spearheaded a bipartisan effort to increase funding to the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) to allow local highway superintendents to have greater ability to repair crumbling infrastructure in their communities.

While Palmesano highlighted some positive features of the budget, he also expressed some very deep concerns with other areas.

“A number of policies in this budget do not represent being ‘Open for Business’ in New York. The Business community and job creators are not looking at our slogans, they are looking at our actions,” said Palmesano. The extension of the energy tax, the ‘temporary’ 18-A surcharge on our utility bills, along with other expiring tax programs will result in billions of dollars in costs that New York businesses and taxpayers will be forced to pay.

However, of even greater concern is the immense damage this budget will have on our state’s most frail and vulnerable New Yorkers – the developmentally disabled.

In the governor’s executive budget proposal, he proposed $120 million in cuts, or six percent, to not-for-profit agencies that provide services to the developmentally disabled. The adopted state budget provided only a $30 million restoration. Palmesano and his colleagues in the Assembly Minority called for a complete restoration of funding for the $90 million not included. An amendment to restore the $90 million was struck down on the Assembly floor.

“We have a responsibility to set priorities when developing a budget, caring for our state’s developmentally disabled New Yorkers is a commitment we should honor,” said Palmesano. “Unfortunately, these cuts will be devastating to the services and quality of life for our state’s most vulnerable New Yorkers. It is absolutely unconscionable how we can adopt a budget that provides a $420 million tax credit for ‘Hollywood’ film production in New York, yet provide an unacceptable cut to those we have an obligation to protect.”