Statement From Senator Mario R. Mattera

As our state continues to work to deliver a budget that helps our residents and businesses recover from the COVID crisis, it is imperative that all elected officials that the final budget is one that helps all New Yorkers.   The Federal government, through the work of leaders like Senator Chuck Schumer, did a great job in providing our state with much-needed assistance (over $12.5 billion).  It would be prudent for our state to utilize this stimulus package to provide funding for important issues like education, infrastructure investment and others without increasing taxes and fees.

Yet the Senate Democrat Conference is proposing over $6 billion in new taxes in their budget resolution.  That type of increase will have a negative impact on our state’s economic recovery and we have to work together to come to an agreement on a budget that delivers for all of our residents and businesses.

While it is welcome to see the restoration of proposed cuts to schools, roads and libraries while also protecting public sector jobs, we need to find a way to accomplish these goals without increasing the cost of living in New York State.  Especially now, as we see light at the end of this year-long crisis, we need to find solutions that help all New Yorkers have a brighter future.

Our state is losing residents at an alarming rate and we need to use the over $12.5 billion that the Federal government is providing New York State to fill holes.  Now more than ever, we need a budget that fixes problems without creating new hardships.