STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR PATTY RITCHIE

With his emphasis on job creation, boosting our state’s economy, rebuilding our infrastructure, strengthening our public schools and providing relief to hardworking taxpayers, Governor Cuomo touched on a number of issues that are critically important to the region I represent.

Events of recent months prove just how fragile is the progress we’ve made to strengthen our economy, and a reminder of the need to redouble our efforts to create new and better opportunity for people of this region.

As Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I will be especially focused on finding new ways to support family farmers and help them succeed because farming remains an essential part of our local economy, and holds untapped potential for even more growth. We also should not miss the opportunity to leverage the growing interest in clean, renewable energy to reaffirm our commitment to the state’s existing nuclear plants, including the FitzPatrick plant in Oswego.

Ensuring that we support our public schools is also essential to creating a brighter future for our communities. Once again, I will be working not only to provide record aid for public schools, but also to ensure that we receive our fair share of education dollars from the state. I’m encouraged by the Governor's support for finally eliminating the GEA, that budget gimmick that has robbed our children of resources they need in order to receive the best possible education. They have waited for this step for too long, and I urge the Assembly to join with the Senate in ending the GEA now, and for good.

I look forward to digging deeper into the Governor’s proposals and learning more about the details of his plan to revitalize our state. The goals outlined today are just a starting point for the work we will do this year to create jobs, provide top-notch educational opportunities for children and improve life for all New Yorkers.