Ortt: 2020 Budget Statement

This year's budget was passed under extraordinary circumstances as our state, nation, and the globe faces a pandemic to likes we have never seen in our lifetime. While our state's healthcare workers and emergency service first responders face the pandemic head-on, the small-business owners and residents of our state are left wondering what the future after this tumultuous period will look like for their families, communities, and livelihoods.

“Unfortunately, the budget that was passed does little to ease concerns that life will return to the normalcy we experienced before. This budget, passed with as little transparency as one can remember, will create an environment that increases the economic strain on our small businesses. It erased the small-business tax credits that were once available to those in our local economy while lining the pockets of big businesses like the New York Film industry. It failed to address concerns over our state's current criminal justice system and will continue the disastrous bail law that has been flawed since its inception at the start of this year.  

“The largest by-product of this year's budget, however, will be the ceding of power by the State Legislature to the Executive Branch and Gov. Cuomo. The State Majority has given Gov. Cuomo expanded power to change our state budget to fit his needs unilaterally. We abdicated our responsibility to be faithful stewards of taxpayer-dollars, displayed the lack of political will to make the difficult decisions, and gave up the power that balances our state government. While our healthcare and emergency service workers have shown the courage to face this pandemic at the front lines, our state government did not have the courage to do their duty and protect the hard-earned tax dollars of New York's residents.”

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