Senator Golden Applauds Accomplishments of on-Time Budget, Yet New Yorkers Deserve More

EDUCATION TAX CREDIT, VERRAZANO TOLL RELIEF REMAINS PRIORITY

Albany – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, has issued the following statement as approval of the 2014-2015 New York State Budget continues today, resulting in New York’s fourth consecutive on-time budget:

“Today, we will adopt a budget that advances early childhood and higher education, allocating $300 million for full day pre-K in New York City, and an additional $25.7 million for the Tuition Assistance Program. We stand up for the rights of charter school students by enacting provisions that will guarantee school space utilization in our City. We have also recognized the progress that early intervention has made for those with special needs and rightly improves upon our commitment.

This year’s budget will afford a much needed increase in the eligibility requirements for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption and an expansion of the New York State EPIC Prescription Drug Program. This will provide major relief for seniors, living on a fixed income, facing the rising cost of medication, rent and other living expenses.

We continue to address the burdens that taxes have on the personal budgets of New Yorkers. I am proud that this year, we have included a tax credit for both homeowners and renters, which will save residents of my district hundreds of dollars per year. This budget also includes relief for the business community by setting in place a phase out of the energy tax surcharge and the elimination of the corporate tax for manufacturers.

An overall sound budget for the Empire State, I share the disappointment of many of my constituents in the failure to achieve an Education Investment Tax Credit and Verrazano Bridge toll relief. The fight for these important causes goes on. Additionally, I remain skeptical and opposed to attempts to a create public financing system for elections in New York State.”