Senator Palumbo Reacts to Executive Budget

      This week, New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo (R,C-New Suffolk) offered his reaction to Governor Hochul’s $233 billion Executive Budget proposal and joined his Senate Republican colleagues in unveiling their 2024 legislative agenda.  

            “Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget misses the mark on addressing issues like crime and affordability, major concerns for the majority of New Yorkers, and reduces state education aid levels for schools throughout Long Island,” said Senator Palumbo. “To combat New York’s growing public safety concerns, the Executive Budget creates new and costly programs without making the fundamental reforms needed to restore law and order and keep our local communities safe. This critical error will leave criminals on the streets and put New Yorkers on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in new spending commitments.”  

            Senator Palumbo also raised concerns over the Executive Budget’s dramatic increase in funding for migrants to $2.4 billion.

            “This significant increase is a drain on state resources and is unsustainable for New York’s already overburdened taxpayers. Long Islanders, who already pay some of the highest state and local taxes in the nation, shouldn’t be forced to shoulder this massive burden due to Albany and Washington’s inability or unwillingness to address this crisis head-on.  Before another New York tax dollar is spent on this issue, Governor Hochul should reverse course by rescinding the State’s sanctuary status by Executive Order.”

            “Fortunately, the Governor’s Budget is only the first step in the process to craft the state’s final spending plan.  Over the coming weeks and months, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work for a safer and more affordable New York and ensure that Long Island receives its fair share of state funding for education, transportation, housing, and workforce development,” said Senator Palumbo.

To highlight their efforts at making New York safer and more affordable, Senator Palumbo and his New York State Senate Republican Conference unveiled “A New Hope For The Empire State,” their legislative agenda for 2024. The agenda is a stark contrast to the extreme policies pursued under one-party rule that have directly caused a decline in New Yorkers’ quality of life and led to the largest outmigration in the nation.

            “A New Hope For The Empire State” is a comprehensive legislative agenda for 2024 outlining a plan to fight for New Yorkers who are demanding relief from the radical policies emanating out of Albany. The agenda prioritizes affordability, improves public safety, and builds a stronger New York:

 Increasing Affordability

·         Reigning in out-of-control spending: enacting a spending cap, rejecting tax increases and unfunded mandates, and providing tax relief for all New Yorkers;

·         Taking action to help all New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet by incentivizing new housing construction to deal with the housing shortage, and making child care more accessible and affordable; and

·         Improving the state’s business climate by protecting small businesses and farms by reducing regulations and unfair costs.

Improving Public Safety

·         Protecting New Yorkers from antisemitism and other hateful violence by making any antisemitic behavior a hate crime, making all hate crimes bail eligible, and protecting hate crime victims and houses of worship;

·         Rejecting efforts to continue New York’s sanctuary state status;

·         Reversing failed criminal justice policies that have made our communities less safe, including bail reform, discovery reform, and others;

·         Rejecting policies that put criminals above victims and law-abiding New Yorkers; and

·         Providing more services and funding to address the mental health crisis and substance abuse disorders.

Building a Stronger New York

·         Closing the pandemic learning gap, and further investing in vocational education and workforce development;

·         Providing support to our veterans to reacclimate and find educational and career opportunities; and

·         Investing in and strengthening our infrastructure to encourage growth.

            “I am proud to stand with my New York State Senate Republicans colleagues to advance a robust agenda that will enhance public safety and address affordability issues impacting the state.  The vast majority of New Yorkers want a return to common sense criminal justice policies that put the needs of law enforcement, crime victims and law-abiding citizens before criminals, and economic policies that provide relief, not additional burdens. 2024 is a new year, and an opportunity to deliver for the hardworking men and women who call the Empire State home,” concluded Senator Anthony Palumbo.

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