Senator Farley Announces NYS Senate Approved Its 2012 Budget Proposal

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) recently announced the State Senate approved its new State Budget proposal for 2012.

"Last year, I worked together with Governor Andrew Cuomo to pass an on-time budget that closed a $10 billion gap, reduced spending and avoided any new taxes and fees. We also approved a property tax cap and enacted a major middle class income tax cut -- bringing rates to the lowest level in 58 years," Senator Farley said.

We accomplished a great deal in 2011, but we still have lots of work to do to keep New York State moving in the right direction, he said.

The Senate's fiscally responsible budget plan will:

· Keep spending growth under 2% -- even less than what the Governor proposed;

· Avoid new taxes, fees and unfunded mandates;

· Help create new jobs by cutting taxes for small businesses;

· Impose a new cap on state spending growth;

· Eliminate the 500% energy tax increase the Senate Democrats approved in 2009;

· Accelerate the Governor' plan to freeze local Medicaid costs -- saving counties and local taxpayers $170 million over the next two years;

· Restore $200 million in school aid in order to help our local schools and property taxpayers;

· Provide tuition relief for middle class families;

· Restore the STAR rebate check program for senior citizens; and

· Protect seniors from higher out-of-pocket costs for their medications.

The Senate's Budget is a solid, fiscally responsible plan that achieves my 3 core goals of controlling spending, cutting taxes, and helping to create new jobs. To view it, visit http://www.nysenate.gov/report/report-amended-state-fiscal-year-2012-13-executive-budget

I can assure you that these same 3 core goals will remain my key objectives as we now begin negotiating a final budget with the Assembly and Governor.

As the effort to enact another on-time, fiscally responsible budget continues over the next several weeks, I will work to keep you well informed and up-to-date. New York has come a long way over the course of the past year. By working together, I have no doubt that we can accomplish even more, he said.