Local lawmakers weigh in on budget passage

ALBANY | Nearly two months after its April 1 deadline, New York lawmakers have approved a final $268.5 billion package after one of the most contentious negotiations in years. Following the final vote, North Country lawmakers gave their thoughts on the spending package with Assemblyman Matt Simpson voting no over concerns with ORES, farmland loss and energy policy. In a statement, Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Adirondack) said, "New Yorkers' top priority right now is affordability. Families are struggling with one of the highest tax burdens in the country and skyrocketing utility bills. Yet instead of addressing these pressures, Albany continues to pass massive budgets that reflect a clear spending problem, not a revenue problem. "If we keep chasing New Yorkers out of the state with costly green mandates and excessive taxation, we will eventually create a real revenue problem. We have already lost over a million residents this decade alone. To remain economically competitive, we must stop shrinking our tax base and start keeping hardworking New Yorkers and businesses here. "Our farmers are increasingly being boxed into leasing agreements with foreign energy giants simply to survive. While the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) continues to rubber-stamp large-scale projects, Albany refuses to allow responsible development of nuclear and natural gas resources that are right under our feet. If state leaders were truly serious about affordability, they would stop protecting green energy special interests and instead pursue practical solutions that protect open spaces, lower energy costs and account for local concerns. "At best, this budget brings modest changes to flawed policies bringing undue pressure to North Country households and communities, like walking back CLCPA mandates and delaying the EV bus mandate. At its worst, this budget is more of the same, with record spending, ignoring fundamental policy failures and more policy red tape than ever." After making a series of videos to constituents after the vote, Sen. Dan Stec gave a lengthy statement that slammed shortfalls of the massive spending plan, saying: "At its best, a state budget should lay out a responsible framework for the financial direction of our state and meet the needs of our hardworking families, seniors and small business owners. The massive $268 billion plan that passed this week after nearly two months of delays, is decidedly not a budget at its best. "Right now, two of the major issues facing New York State are escalating energy prices and out-of-control Medicaid spending. This budget pays lip service to the former and ignores the latter. Our residents are paying, on average, 70 percent above the national average for energy and Medicaid spending is nearly 80 percent higher than the national average. This is unsustainable. "The governor and Democrat Legislative Leaders have acknowledged what I've been saying for years: the CLCPA Green New Deal has unrealistic goals and timelines and its implementation is exacerbating the rise in energy costs. Instead of substantively addressing this with a pause on the CLCPA mandates and a cost-benefit analysis, they've opted for milquetoast 'reforms,' a blue-ribbon commission and $150 gimmick rebate checks as solutions. They're not and do nothing in the immediate or distant future to alleviate an energy price crisis that's caused ratepayers' bills to skyrocket hundreds of dollars each month. "The Empire Center has estimated that New York State loses up to $20 billion annually in Medicaid payments to people who are not eligible to receive them. Instead of enacting basic oversight protocols to stop this preventable waste and abuse of taxpayer funds and ensuring that state Medicaid funds go to the eligible New Yorkers in need of these vital healthcare services, the governor and Democrat leaders continue to funnel tens of billions in additional funding into the system. The failure to rein in these costs just puts further financial strain on local governments, recipients, caregivers, taxpayers and the Medicaid system as a whole. "In addition to energy and Medicaid costs, this state budget gives New York City Mayor Mamdani a taxpayer-funded golden parachute for his city's fiscal mismanagement. It extends further sanctuary city and state protections to illegal immigrants, at a time when it's more apparent than ever that these policies are disastrous and unpopular. And just as important as what's included in this budget is what's not: urgently needed reforms to address the ongoing safety and officer staffing crises inside correctional facilities. "Of course, with its hefty price tag there are some positive developments. Specifically, the delay of the EV bus mandate for school districts is a needed measure I supported and see as providing an immediate benefit. I was pleased to see this budget allocate $12.5 million to the Town of Tupper Lake to address wastewater infrastructure needs. The death gamble protections for correction officers is something I've spent years advocating for and its inclusion in the budget is welcome news. After years of outreach and negotiations, the reforms to address the Tier VI pension system will help public sector employees and local governments alike. "While these are things I've fought for and are improvements upon the status quo, the bad far outweighs the good in this budget. At a time when New York State's affordability climate and economic outlook lag nationally, Governor Hochul and Democrat Legislative Leaders' exponential spending increase only exacerbates those conditions and fails to substantively improve our state." Assemblyman Michael Cashman said, "As I have said all along, there is no perfect state budget. While there are many aspects of these budget bills I do not agree with, we cannot ignore the positives: Pausing the electric bus mandate, bringing $12.5 million to Tupper Lake's water system for much-needed repairs, death gamble protections for our correction officers, and beneficial changes to Tier 6." "Our region has a wide range of needs, and the work is far from over. I will continue to prioritize what benefits the people of the North Country as this legislative session wraps up, and will continue to lift our region's voice in the legislature."

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Local lawmakers weigh in on budget passage

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