![Senator Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_small/public/62-2019-bio.jpg?itok=ZjptOPnn)
STATEMENT: Senator Ortt Reacts to State Budget Agreement
April 1, 2016
-
ISSUE:
- State budget
![](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/general-budget_web.png?itok=W5cLYk1t)
Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda) today issued the following statement regarding the New York State 2016-2017 Budget agreement.
“While there were certain elements of this budget that I did not support, I ultimately voted for a budget that I believe will help Western New York. We were able to reject the Governor’s proposed $15 an hour minimum wage increase, because it would have been devastating to our small businesses, family farms, and non-profits. We delivered a record $25 billion in education funding and eliminated the anti-Upstate Gap Elimination Adjustment – two major victories that will help our children, schools, and local taxpayers. We also delivered an unprecedented $4.2 billion middle class tax cut to help families keep more of their hard earned money than ever before. Finally, we ensured Upstate infrastructure received the same treatment – and funding – as downstate. We secured $27 billion for roads and bridges, because these investments are long overdue, create jobs, improve safety, and enhance the quality of life. Keeping within the two percent spending cap, I believe we passed a fiscally-responsible budget that will help our local schools, families, businesses, and seniors.”
Share this Article or Press Release
Newsroom
Go to Newsroom![NYS Senate Seal](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/press-release/main-image/new-sen-seal-web-image_4.jpg?itok=LOMFoTVB)
![(From L-R: Col. John Higgins, Ret.; Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt; John Cooper, NIMAC; Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace)](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/press-release/main-image/bandicam_2022-03-18_12-31-02-329.jpg?itok=NG5VXDjQ)
![NYS Senate Seal](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/new-sen-seal-web-image_2.jpg?itok=HcmZxfhw)