Statement From Senator Patty Ritchie on Governor’s 2015-16 Budget Presentation

I was pleased to hear Governor Cuomo emphasize issues that are priorities for me—making critical investments in our education system, supporting small business owners, creating jobs and keeping more money in the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers.

I especially appreciated the Governor’s focus on issues vital to the North Country and Central New York, including support for agriculture, upgrades for our ports and infrastructure, and his strong defense of Fort Drum, a major regional employer.

We’ve made great progress by ending decades of late and unbalanced budgets, reducing taxes and helping more New Yorkers make ends meet, cutting red tape so businesses can grow and create jobs and focusing on our schools so students are better equipped with the skills they need to succeed.

We have to continue this progress, and I look forward over the next few weeks to once again building upon his proposals to make sure our region gets the investments it needs to create more opportunities and a better way of life for the people who live here.