Senator Golden Statement on the 2015-2016 New York State Budget

Albany – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a member of the Finance Committee, has issued the following statement regarding the 2015-2016 New York State Budget:

“Late last night, I joined my colleagues in the State Senate in approving a fiscally responsible budget for New York State. New Yorkers can be proud that this budget includes significant investments in economic development, job creation, public safety, healthcare, and education. This year’s budget additionally encompasses significant ethics reforms, making New York a leader in the Nation in strengthening the public trust of officials.

Legislators from Brooklyn to Buffalo have rightly agreed this year to invest $150 million in counter terrorism and disaster preparedness to protect our citizens. Additionally, I was among the leaders in guaranteeing that the State direct nearly $60 million towards the purchase of new and improved equipment to keep our police officers safe.

Similarly, our commitment to both the 4201 and 4410 funding for early childhood educational programs, and for our students who are blind, deaf and multihandicapped, is among the key accomplishments of this year’s State budget. Furthermore, the continued dedication of resources to increase TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) and fund UPK (Universal Pre-Kindergarten) will continue to support education at many levels.

I am proud that this year, we have included a new tax credit to support the gaming industry and that the film tax credit, in which I have long championed, has been renewed. These tax credits prove valuable to countless New Yorkers into the future, and lead us toward a period of unprecedented job growth.

Like many of my colleagues, I share in 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 because it needs to.”