Griffo statement on governor’s State of the State Address

 “The governor has offered some interesting proposals that I am willing to consider and will thoroughly review during this legislative session and as work on the budget begins.

 

I am pleased that it appears that the governor has heard our voices and those of New Yorkers who cannot afford to live or do business or do not feel safe here. However, I am concerned with aspects of her approach to address affordability, public safety and other issues affecting the state.

For instance, instead of one-time ‘Inflation Refund’ checks, we should look for ways to permanently reduce the costs overburdening New Yorkers. People deserve a break all the time, not just one time.

 

Many of the incentives to address worker shortages that she has suggested are worthy of examination relative to impact on career opportunities and the economy. However, we must root out the real causes of these critical shortages in so many industries across our state and nation to finally rectify this problem.

 

This labor shortage should be declared a national crisis. We must determine the cultural, societal and other changes that are contributing to this shortage so that we can appropriately address it and reenergize and reinvigorate the workforce.

 

While the governor did announce new initiatives to combat crime, a more intense focus on enhancing public safety is needed, as I have continued to advocate. We must ensure our communities have the resources they need to keep their residents safe and that repeat offenders are not released back onto the streets.

 

We also must remember that, while the governor has offered initiatives that would provide certain services and goods free of charge, there are still taxpayer expenses associated with them in the end. While I am willing to consider these proposals, it is imperative that the full cost of these programs be made available and determined during the budget process.

 

As families continue to tighten their belts because of financial constraints, I remain concerned with the potential cost to accomplish what the governor has proposed.

 

Despite our state facing significant fiscal challenges, we have witnessed year after year of unsustainable spending under the leadership of the governor and legislative majorities. This troubling trend of out-of-control spending will have significant consequences, especially as we face structural budget challenges and budget gaps in the coming years.

 

The state must reassess its spending priorities so that we can ensure our families, schools and communities get the resources that they need to thrive.

 

What we heard from the governor about what she wants to accomplish is important, but it is more important what we will actually see moving forward.

 

As this year’s legislative session gets underway and the budget process begins, I will continue to advance and support common sense reforms and fiscally responsible policies that will make our state safer, stronger and more affordable for all New Yorkers.”

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