The Assembly Majority has released a one-house budget bill which, predictably, lacks a sound financial plan and fails to address the inequity between upstate and downstate taxpayers. This budget sends our agricultural industry out to pasture, treats upstate students like second-class citizens and taxes everyone, from successful businessmen to newborn babies. Instead of easing the tax burden that has increased over $10 billion since 2009, this budget seeks to raise taxes by another $4.2 billion. Today does not mark the end of budget negotiations, but rather the beginning. The budget presented today is a far cry from an acceptable proposal, and I will use my position on the Ways and Means Committee to fight for our fair share in Western New York as we move forward.