Little, Senate GOP Colleagues Urge Budget Resubmission

Says federal stimulus will provide opportunity to eliminate tax hikes

     State Senator Betty Little today joined her Senate Republican colleagues to urge Governor David Paterson to resubmit his executive budget proposal saying the federal stimulus aid will provide an opportunity to eliminate the $6 billion in higher taxes and fees.

     “The more than $3,000 in new tax and fees proposed for a typical New York family in this year’s budget will be an economic suppressant that negates much of the intended effect of the stimulus package,” said Little. 

     “Tax relief must be a priority and not mitigating the increases in light of the federal dollars would be a huge mistake.  First on the list of things needing to be changed is the budget proposal that would freeze state tax payments on state-owned lands.

     “In my opinion, we have a much better shot at adopting an on-time budget if, once the package is approved by Congress and it is clear what New York will be getting, the governor resubmits his budget proposal.”    
 
     Little said she and her colleagues have also sent a letter to New York’s congressional delegation, urging the federal representatives to advocate for New York State’s share of aid, to focus on job-creating initiatives and infrastructure development and to ensure an equitable distribution of aid statewide. 

     In the letter they wrote: “The amount of funds New York stands to receive from the federal stimulus package is substantial, but so are our needs and our goals.  We urge you to ensure that New York receives its share of stimulus funds and that we stay focused on job creation, tax relief, Medicaid reform, access to health care and a fair distribution of aid to our schools.”

     Little said she will be traveling to Washington, D.C. this Thursday as part of a legislative contingent that will meet with federal lawmakers to discuss the stimulus package, including funding for local infrastructure and economic development initiatives.

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