O’Mara, Senate Republican colleagues call for a more ‘A More Affordable New York'

Albany, N.Y., February 13--In response to what they see as a fiscally irresponsible state budget proposal that continues uncontrolled state spending, State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) today joined his Senate Republican colleagues to highlight the conference’s commitment to taking actions to create “A More Affordable New York.”

The Senate GOP’s affordability initiatives highlighted today are part of the conference’s larger “Rescue New York” agenda put forth in January at the beginning of the new legislative session.

O’Mara said, "Albany Democrats readily acknowledge the affordability crisis causing the exodus of citizens to more affordable states, however the Democrats can’t give up increasing handouts to their base. They have no interest in reining in out-of-control spending, eliminating taxes, lowering costs, cutting burdensome regulations and mandates, or restoring public safety. We need to rescue New York by restoring the right priorities, rebuilding stronger and safer communities, and working toward a more responsible and sustainable future for middle-class communities, families, workers, businesses, industries, and taxpayers."

Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said, “We are here today to show New Yorkers that there are people in Albany who hear them. We have actionable, achievable solutions to make our state more affordable again. The policies coming from the Hochul Administration and her allies on the left aren’t just wrong, they are irresponsibly out of touch with reality and they’re driving people out of the state. While hundreds of thousands of middle-class families are struggling to afford everyday necessities, the Democrats led by Kathy Hochul are prioritizing $300 million for individuals who are here illegally. While seniors on fixed incomes worry about their heating bills, they’re moving to ban fossil fuel hook-ups to new and existing buildings and drive costs up even further.”

O’Mara said that the Senate Republican Conference is specifically calling for the rejection of several proposals contained in Hochul’s 2023-2024 Executive Budget proposal. Enacting these proposals would only worsen New York’s affordability crisis, O’Mara said. The proposals include:

1. Eliminating enhanced Medicaid payments to local governments, which would create enormous pressure to increase local property taxes;

2. Increasing unemployment insurance taxes on already struggling small businesses and farms; and

3. Directing hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding into New York City to pay for the settlement of illegal immigrants.

The Senate Republicans’ “A More Affordable New York” initiative seeks relief for taxpayers and families, businesses and communities continuing to struggle with high inflation and rising costs. Among many other steps, O’Mara and his colleagues are calling for:

1. Eliminating costly unfunded state mandates that drive up local property taxes;

2. Protecting businesses from unemployment insurance tax hikes by creating an Unemployment Insurance Solvency Reserve Fund and repealing the interest assessment surcharge, which is the assessment on businesses to pay back the UI Trust Fund’s deficit; and

3. Providing relief from rapidly rising energy costs, including home heating expenses.