Governor's Budget Plan Falls Short

ALBANY, 01/21/20 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today commented on Governor Cuomo’s proposed state budget for 2020-21:

“New York is facing serious fiscal difficulties and an escalating outmigration crisis.  To overcome these challenges we need a state budget that controls spending, cuts taxes, and expands opportunities, particularly upstate.

“While there are elements of the governor’s budget worth exploring – tax cuts for small businesses, funds to expand rural broadband and cell phone coverage, help for our EMS departments and farmers, and lower prescription drug prices – I have a number of concerns with the overall proposal. 

“We need to focus on parity when it comes to infrastructure, school aid, and community needs.  Case in point, the governor’s proposal includes $51 billion for New York City transportation needs and only $11.9 billion for upstate roads and bridges.  That’s a slap in the face.

“There are major details to examine when to it comes to the governor’s plan for Medicaid.  We cannot push more costs on local governments or enact new fees that will further burden taxpayers.  The governor also failed to offer any solutions to the so-called bail reforms, which must be repealed immediately and reworked to keep the public safe. 

“As the ranking Republican of the Senate Finance Committee, I look forward to drilling down into the details of the governor’s proposal during the upcoming budget hearings and emerging with a final budget that is fiscally sound, will help grow our upstate economy, and meet the everyday needs of New Yorkers.”

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