Senate Republicans: One-Party-Rule Isn't Working for NY

ALBANY, NY - Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference today blasted Albany One-Party-Rule for passing a final state budget that was nine days late, negotiated in total secrecy, and the height of fiscal irresponsibility. In addition, this reckless state budget delivered MORE FOR Albany politicians, criminals, and non-U.S. citizens – and LESS FOR law-abiding, middle-class New Yorkers overwhelmed by the rise of violent crime and inflation all across the state.

“This budget clearly demonstrates that one-party control of state government isn’t working for New Yorkers. The process was disastrous. The spending is reckless. And many of the actual accomplishments are simply watered down proposals that first originated with my Senate Republican colleagues and I. As inflation and violent crime rage across our state, it’s clear that the Legislative Majorities are failing to meet the moment. New Yorkers deserve better,” said Leader Ortt.

“This Albany Democrat giveaway goes far beyond any reasonable sense of fairness, responsibility or long-term sustainability for hard-working, tax paying citizens. It’s the largest spending plan ever enacted but it fails to include the scope of tax, regulatory and mandate relief needed to truly begin turning this state around. It largely ignores the need to rebuild and revitalize the manufacturing sector. It’s a one-party vision for spending billions of dollars that’s teeing up a next generation of hard-hit taxpayers and unaffordable living in New York State. We are going to be footing the bill and carrying the burden for these all-Democrat budgets for years to come,” said Senator Tom O’Mara, ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.

“Never in all my years as a state Senator have I seen a budget as disappointing as this one. To be clear: I support much-needed relief for middle-class taxpayers, but New Yorkers needed more than a mere half-loaf from Albany. I support restoring public safety in our state, but this budget failed to do that as dangerous bail reform and other soft-on-crime policies are still in place. Albany Democrats had the chance to make a meaningful difference for New Yorkers who are fed up with the dysfunction and misplaced priorities. Sadly, they missed that chance,” said Deputy Republican Leader Andrew Lanza.

The 2022-2023 New York State Budget includes ridiculous spending levels totaling more than $220 billion – nearly $8 billion more than last year, and a stunning $34 billion more than 2020. This represents a staggering two-year spending increase of more than 18 percent. Since 2019, Senate Democrats have consistently blown past the two-percent spending cap Republicans maintained while in the Majority.

In addition, the final budget continued the Democrat-driven trend of providing more for Albany politicians, criminals, and non-U.S. citizens – and less for law-abiding, middle-class New Yorkers overwhelmed by the rise of violent crime and inflation all across the state.

Some of the most glaring failures in this year’s budget include:

• Failure to provide any meaningful new tax relief for middle-class New Yorkers fleeing the state;
• Failure to deliver comprehensive tax relief that our small business and manufacturers desperately need;
• Failure to fully repeal bail reform, bring all the necessary stakeholders to the table, and restore judicial discretion; and
• Failure to include any reforms designed to increase performance in our classrooms, to bolster parental input and involvement, or to strengthen local control of our schools.
   

Some of the most glaring misplaced priorities include:

• Millions for taxpayer funded political campaigns – which is great for career politicians, but really bad for taxpayers;
• New pork barrel “discretionary” spending for lawmakers to hand out in an election year;
• Taxpayer-funded free college tuition for prison inmates and non-US citizens; and
• Millions in health care funding for non-U.S. citizens, while doing nothing for hardworking, law-abiding New Yorkers who are struggling to deal with rising health care costs.
   

“Albany politicians for too long have ignored the priorities of the people of New York. They provide handouts to themselves, handouts to lawbreakers, and handouts to non-U.S. citizens. It’s completely out of touch with the needs of law-abiding, middle-class New Yorkers. The people are fed up with ‘Albany business as usual,’” concluded Leader Ortt.