Statement from Senator Steve Saland on the Deficit Reduction Package

When I voted no on the 2009-10 State Budget which  increased spending by $12 billion and raised taxes and fees by $8.5 billion, I said it was not merely an irresponsible budget but sheer lunacy.  I warned the Democrat leadership that their out of control spending could not be sustained in this weak economy.

Faced with a budget deficit in excess of $3 billion, we were left with no other option than to adopt a deficit reduction plan that puts our State on firmer fiscal footing.

Finally, action has been taken to address the State’s fiscal deficit.  After voting today to reduce state spending by $2.8 billion, I am hoping the current leadership understands that these painful choices could have and should have been avoided through fiscal prudency when adopting the State Budget in April.  

Frankly, I would have preferred the Senate Republican deficit reduction plan which would have closed the entire $3.2 billion gap without raising taxes and with more than $1.6 billion in recurring savings.

More needs to be done to bring state spending under control and I continue to urge the Governor and the Democrat leadership to adopt a state spending cap that would save taxpayers more than $6 billion.  In order to put New York on the road to economic recovery, the State must tighten its belt and remember that tax increases will only lead to the flight of businesses and taxpaying residents.