Senate Republicans Unveil Affordability Agenda

ALBANY, NY - In the wake of a staggering $259 billion budget proposal passed by Senate Democrats last week, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, and members of the Senate Republican Conference today called for the inclusion of several pieces of legislation in the enacted budget that would provide relief and help ease the affordability crisis being faced by New Yorkers. 

These bills, part of the Senate Republican Conferences “Liberate New York,” 2025 Legislative Agenda– are aimed at helping families and businesses who are struggling under high taxes and skyrocketing costs on everything from utilities to housing.  

“The Senate Republican Conference understands that we can’t make New York more affordable by continuing to increase spending and taxes the way our colleagues across the aisle are doing - it’s unsustainable. In contrast, our plan looks to cut taxes for individuals and businesses, lower utility rates, and help New Yorkers keep more of their hard-earned money in their own pockets. We can’t spend our way to affordability, so it’s our hope that our colleagues will join us in these real actions that will have real results,” stated Leader Ortt. 

“New Yorkers are being crushed by rising taxes, out of control spending by Senate Democrats, skyrocketing utility bills, and an affordability crisis that makes it harder every day to live and work in our state. The Senate Republican Conference is fighting to put money back in the pockets of hardworking families, small businesses, and first-time homebuyers. Our affordability agenda will ease financial burdens, reward hard work, and help keep people in New York instead of forcing them out. It’s time to provide real relief and make New York a place where people can afford to stay, grow, and thrive,” said Senator Steve Rhoads.

“New Yorkers continue to be crushed by rising costs, from utility bills to groceries, while Albany continues to exacerbate the affordability crisis through bloated government spending. With families struggling under the weight of high taxes and expenses, our priority must be easing the financial burden—not reckless spending. Instead of more government overreach, we need common sense solutions that reduce taxes, support our families, and make homeownership a reality by advocating for first-time homebuyer credits to help ease the path to owning a home. Our conference remains committed to real solutions that lower taxes and help New Yorkers keep more of their hard-earned money,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.

“Long Islanders are hurting and are in urgent need of relief from crushing taxes and rising costs. My proposal would double STAR benefits for families and seniors and lower the income tax rate for hardworking New Yorkers.  As we have seen in the Legislature's  One-House Budget Resolutions, the State is flush with funds. Now is the opportunity to provide substantial relief to help the millions of New Yorkers who are struggling to make ends meet,” stated Senator Anthony Palumbo.

“Across the Hudson Valley, families are making tough choices just to keep up with the rising cost of living from skyrocketing electric bills, higher grocery prices, and the added burden of congestion pricing. Hardworking families deserve real relief, not more uncertainty. That’s why I introduced the Ratepayer Reduction Act (S1031), a bill that puts transparency and fairness first, requiring the Public Service Commission to calculate the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act's (CLCPA) exact cost to ratepayers. It also delivers a much-needed tax credit to households earning under $200,000 to help ease their financial strain. This legislation would make energy costs more transparent, more predictable, and more affordable for the hardworking families of our region,” said Senator Rob Rolison.

A key component of the Senate Republican agenda is legislation that will help make New York more affordable by allowing hardworking New Yorkers to keep more of their own money in their own pockets. Included in the affordability agenda highlighted today are bills that would:

S.587 (Martins) - Exempts state taxes from cash tips.

S.850 (Helming) - Establishes the First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act.

S.1031 (Rolison) - Directs the Public Service Commission and the Comptroller to determine the cost of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act mandates for each ratepayer and to establish a credit for ratepayers and businesses to cover those costs.

S.1487 (O’Mara) - Providing a $464 million tax cut to support small businesses by raising the corporate tax threshold from $390,000 to $500,000 and lowering the rate to 2.5%; expanding the small business exemption to all PIT businesses, regardless of whether they have employees and increasing the threshold to $500,000, raising the exemption to 15%, and setting the exemption at 20% for farmers. 

S.3914 (Martins) - Exempts state taxes from overtime compensation.

S.4487 (Ashby) - Supplementing the State’s existing child tax credit by providing a $1,000 “baby bonus” refundable tax credit for all parents of newborns.

S.1559 (Palumbo) - Enacting the ‘Affordable New York Act,’ which is designed to lower the tax burden on individuals in New York State. Specifically, this legislation doubles the current School Tax Relief (STAR) exemption and lowers the income tax rate on middle-income taxpayers by 2%.  

“Four years of Biden-Harris democrat woke has made us broke. Senate Republican policies will return sanity and opportunity to New York. Only lower taxes, rational energy policies, and business support will make New York more affordable," said Deputy Leader Senator Andrew Lanza.

“Albany Democrats readily acknowledge the affordability crisis causing the exodus of citizens to more affordable states, yet the Democrats can’t give up increasing handouts to their base. They have no interest in reining in out-of-control spending, eliminating taxes, lowering costs, cutting burdensome regulations and mandates, or restoring public safety. We need to liberate New York by restoring the right priorities, rebuilding stronger and safer communities, and working toward a more responsible and sustainable future for middle-class communities, families, workers, businesses, industries, and taxpayers.” said Senator Tom O'Mara, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee

“New York leads in all the wrong categories- highest tax burden, the most out migration, and worst regulatory environment for small business. The Senate Democrats' budget proposal doubles down on the policies that got us here. Senate Republicans have a better way- cutting taxes, balancing our state's environmental goals with our economic competitiveness and delivering aid to hardworking families instead of the governor's top donors,” stated Senator Jake Ashby.

“For too long, Albany’s answer to every problem has been higher taxes, more regulations, and reckless spending—driving up costs and driving people out. It’s time to change course. Our Affordability Agenda focuses on real solutions: cutting taxes on tips and overtime pay, providing relief to small businesses, lowering utility costs, and helping first-time homebuyers. Instead of forcing New Yorkers to foot the bill for bloated budgets, we’re fighting to make it easier for families to stay, work, and build a future here. If Albany is serious about affordability, these measures should be in the final budget.” said Senator George Borrello.

“New York is not affordable. I see it every day in my district of Brooklyn - those commuting on the MTA by bus or subway  are already paying high costs just to get to work. We need to put money back in people's pockets. Our affordability package includes common sense proposals that will do just that.  For example, exempting taxes on tips would help the thousands of restaurant workers in my district keep their hard earned dollars in their own pockets. A little relief goes a long way,” stated Senator Steve Chan.

“The issue I hear the most about when I talk with constituents is the high cost of living. Rising consumer prices and high taxes are making it more and more difficult for families and businesses to stay in New York.  This package of legislation will help make our state more affordable by providing meaningful relief for residents and helping workers keep more of their hard earned money,” said Senator Patrick Gallivan. 

"Crippling taxes, burdensome energy costs and onerous mandates and regulations are preventing New Yorkers from getting ahead. Real, significant and meaningful relief is needed, or we will continue to see a mass exodus from the state. The plan unveiled today will ease the financial burden felt by so many who live here and will make New York more affordable," said Senator Joe Griffo

“New Yorkers consistently rank affordability and high taxes as their top concerns. In a recent constituent survey, almost 70% of respondents said they are worried about having an affordable place to live in the future. I hear their concerns. That is why I have introduced several bills to help make homeownership more achievable for working families, our seniors and first-time home buyers. I urge my colleagues in the Senate Majority to bring these bills to the floor and pass this legislation to ensure that more New Yorkers can afford to achieve and maintain the American Dream of homeownership,” said Senator Pam Helming.

“The path to affordability starts with ensuring that hardworking New Yorkers can keep more of what they earn.  Our plan recognizes the value of hard work and returns more money to working men and women. This shouldn’t be difficult.  It is about common sense that is simple, straightforward and provides real results for New Yorkers,” said Senator Jack M. Martins

“New York residents are being crushed under the weight of out-of-control spending and sky-high taxes, and this $259 billion budget proposal from Senate Democrats only makes things worse. Our ‘Liberate New York’ agenda is about restoring balance and making the state more affordable for hardworking families, small businesses, and future generations. From tax relief on overtime and tips to helping first-time homebuyers and small businesses thrive, these bills are real, common-sense solutions that will put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets. It is time to make New York a place where families can afford to stay, work, and grow,” stated Senator Mario R. Mattera.

“New Yorkers are facing an affordability crisis that is putting immense strain on families and businesses across our state. We must take decisive action to provide meaningful relief. NYS Senate Republicans have introduced legislation that I fully support and should be included in the budget. This package of legislation addresses challenges by prioritizing policies that lower costs, ease financial burdens, and create economic opportunities. We should help hardworking families stay in their homes and help to allow businesses to continue to thrive. Now is the time to act and ensure that New York remains a place where people build a future with confidence. We need to make New York a place to live, not leave,” said Senator Dean Murray.

"The hardworking taxpayers of New York are once again being asked to foot the bill for a bloated state budget. This time to the tune of $259 billion. While Albany Democrats continue their relentless spending spree, my Senate Republican colleagues and I are proud to support legislation that delivers immediate relief to New York families. From supporting young families to bolstering small businesses, our comprehensive plan tackles the affordability crisis and puts REAL dollars back into the pockets of our families," said Senator Peter Oberacker

“It’s obvious that New York State has had an affordability crisis for years. Democrats’ insane, high tax-and-spend policies are the reason why. I’m proud to join my Senate Republican colleagues in advancing an urgently needed agenda to lower the tax burden on working families, reduce costs for seniors and small businesses and ensure our state is affordable for this generation and for generations to come,” said Senator Dan Stec.

“Clearly, our state needs a course correction in its agenda to make it more affordable because people are voting with their feet and escaping from New York in droves. New York is a beautiful state with wonderful people and resources.  Among the other bills in this package I support to lower taxes and utility bills and keep more money in people’s wallets, is legislation I’m sponsoring, Two-Star (S.26), to double the popular STAR property tax exemption for homeowners and ultimately eliminate property taxes for seniors to keep our retirees here in New York where they often want to stay,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

“Senate Democrats have said 'affordability' but their budget proposal shows they have no idea what that word means.  Our Affordability Package focuses on cutting taxes, easing utility bills, and putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers,” said Senator Mark Walczyk

"Budgets are about balancing wants and needs, but New York State government has repeatedly failed to prioritize responsibly. We spend annually more than Florida and Texas combined and 1.5 times more per person than California. Instead of the current unsustainable spending, we should be providing tax relief and putting money directly back into people's pockets by reducing income tax rates coupled with child tax credits. That will make New York State more affordable for our hard-working residents,” said Senator Bill Weber.