Senator Fuschillo Statement on Governor Cuomo’s State of the State Address

           “Governor Cuomo’s state of the state focused on a number of priorities which build upon the success of last year and will keep New York State headed in the right direction; cutting spending, no new taxes, mandate relief, creating jobs, and improving our infrastructure.  

Priority number one should be approving a fiscally responsible state budget which once again closes the state’s budget deficit without raising taxes.  Long Islanders pay some of the nation’s highest taxes and are feeling the effects of the current economy; they can’t afford to pay more.  Last year, we worked in a bipartisan manner to close a $10 billion budget deficit by cutting state spending, reducing state operations expenditures, and making government operate more efficiently.  I’m pleased Governor Cuomo agrees that’s exactly the same approach we must take again now. 

Mandate relief must also be a priority for 2012, and Governor Cuomo has committed that it will be. This is critical to help reduce costs for schools and local governments and provide additional tax relief for residents. 

Additionally, it’s critical that we enact a statewide transportation plan to improve our infrastructure and create jobs.  Infrastructure projects are invaluable economic development tools and I’m pleased that Governor Cuomo plans to utilize them.  The State should also continue to explore public-private partnerships as a way to finance and deliver infrastructure projects and create jobs.  

Last year, we worked in a bipartisan manner to cut taxes, cut state spending, cap property taxes, and enact new economic development and job creation measures.  We need to build on these successes in the coming year.  Governor Cuomo’s focus on each of these important goals is another positive step in the right direction.  I look forward to reviewing the Governor’s plans in greater detail, starting with the release of his Executive Budget proposal later this month.”