SENATOR CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK RESPONDS TO PASSAGE OF THE SENATE ONE HOUSE BUDGET RESOLUTION

Today, I voted 'No' on the Senate's one-house budget resolution because it continues the unsustainable practice of relying on taxpayers as an endless source of funding. Governor Hochul’s $252 billion budget, proposed in January, was already a record-breaking plan, marking an $8.6 billion increase over last year’s spending.  Alarmingly, the Senate Majority proposes increasing state spending further by increasing the budget by $15.5 billion compared to last year. This would raise the budget to $258.9 billion – an increase of $90 billion since 2019 when one-party rule in Albany began.

The scale of the proposed tax hikes and spending increases is reckless and fiscally irresponsible, completely ignoring the financial hardships New Yorkers are enduring. This budget proposal fails to address the exorbitant costs of living in New York – among the highest in the nation, and largely driven by out-of-control spending. It's clear that the focus of this proposal is on expanding government, rather than meeting the needs of those who will ultimately bear the burden.

Our focus should be on making New York more affordable, investing in public safety, and ensuring that the state’s resources are being used efficiently – not to expand government and increase the everyday costs for struggling families. 

I will fight for a budget that prioritizes my constituents’ needs, holds our government accountable, cuts wasteful spending, and makes New York more affordable. I won’t support a budget that puts government spending ahead of the financial stability of the taxpayers in our communities.