Statement by Senator Lee M. Zeldin on Governor Cuomo's State Of The State Message

“The message that we heard from Governor Cuomo today was very clear.   It was the same message of my campaign: cut taxes, cut spending, create jobs. 

I agree with the Governor, New York is at a Crossroads.  We must make government work better and cost less.  I am looking forward to learning more in the coming days on some of the more important initiatives the Governor talked about today including the Spending And Government Efficiency Commission, the Medicaid redesign team and Performance Based School Aid.

Balancing the budget by increasing taxes doesn’t work.  New Yorkers have been hit with record-breaking tax increases for two years in a row – and we still have a huge deficit again this year.  It’s time for a new direction, a better approach.

I expect the Governor to follow up today’s speech with a Budget proposal with no new taxes or borrowing, and that eliminates the deficit by controlling spending and reforming government operations. We  also need to reinstate the STAR Rebate check program, repeal the MTA payroll tax, and promote private sector job creation.

My colleagues and I in the Senate Majority look forward to working with the governor to create a better New York.”