SERINO REJECTS BIG UGLY THAT INCLUDES POTENTIAL FOR PAY RAISE, BUT FAILS TO PROTECT KIDS

ALBANY, NY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) released the following statement regarding her ‘no’ vote on the budget bill known as ‘the Big Ugly’:

“Each year, we vote on the ‘Big Ugly’ knowing that not everyone will be happy with everything it includes, but ultimately knowing that we are working toward improving our state. This year, at a time when our communities are begging for change, businesses are hurting, people are leaving in droves and our young people are marching in the streets fighting for their own safety--enough is enough.

“My sole goal throughout this budget process has been to deliver for our local community. The Assembly leadership, on the other hand, came into this process with one goal—to deliver for their members by creating a pay commission to get themselves a raise. I am supportive of many of the causes lined out in this bill, including our rejection of the $1 billion in tax and fee increases proposed by the Governor and the $1 billion increase in education aid. I cannot, in good conscious, vote for a final budget bill that could give politicians a raise at a time when we have gone through an entire budget process and failed to include a single one of the school safety bills that the Senate has passed, including critical funding for School Resource Officers or mental health programs.

“I cast my vote in opposition tonight to send a clear message: I am not here for a payday. I am here for the people of our community and this particular budget bill simply did not go far enough for them.”

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