SERINO RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING BUDGET BRIEFING

ALBANY, NY—Following a meeting at the Governor’s Mansion where Governor Cuomo briefed members of the Senate Majority on his Executive Budget Proposal, Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) was critical of the secretive process and called for a heightened emphasis on funding for seniors and Lyme Disease.

“While I appreciate having the opportunity to finally hear first-hand about the Governor’s vision, I fail to understand the point of dividing up the conferences and cutting out the public. The whole process seems designed to distract,” said Serino. “It only seems counter-productive at a time when we should be working together to move our communities, and our state, forward.”

“Although there were some positives in the Executive Budget proposal, as Chair of the Senate’s Committee on Aging I was discouraged to see a lack of increased funding in the aging budget. With the Governor’s earlier announcement signaling a push to combat elder financial abuse, I was optimistic that our seniors were finally being made a priority. However, failing to increase the budget for senior services at a time when the population is outpacing any other, is both morally and financially irresponsible.   

Further, as the Chair of the Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs), I was incredibly disappointed to see a complete disregard—once again—for those struggling with Lyme and TBDs. With Lyme Disease being cited as the number two infectious disease in the country—behind only chlamydia—we have clearly demonstrated the need to make combatting it a priority.

Coupled with reducing taxes and investing in infrastructure and economic development in our local communities, fighting for this funding will continue to be among my highest priorities.”

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