Niagara Leader

Governor Hochul's budget proposal in January set a historic precedent as the first New York State budget exceeding a quarter of a trillion dollars. However, Senate Democrats have pushed for an additional $17 billion increase over the current year, bringing their proposal to $259 billion. This would mark a $90 billion rise in the state budget since they assumed the Senate Majority seven years ago.

Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt expressed disapproval of this one-house resolution passage by Senate Democrats. "Hardworking New Yorkers are most concerned about affordability, violent crime, the migrant crisis, rising utility costs, runaway government spending and high taxes," he stated. Ortt criticized the new budget for failing to address these critical issues effectively. He emphasized that it sends "a loud and clear message that they simply do not care about the concerns of hardworking, taxpaying, law-abiding New Yorkers."

The debate continues as New York grapples with financial decisions impacting its residents amid growing economic challenges.