“The Assembly Majority proposed budget would astronomically increase taxes by $5.7 billion on New York taxpayers who cannot afford another burden placed on them by the state. The Governor has admitted that high taxes are driving New Yorkers out of our state. Yet the Majority proposes another rampant spending spree that will hasten that exodus. Additionally, New York state’s highest-in-the-nation property taxes need to be addressed, yet the Majority has not addressed the largest unfunded mandate that drives up property taxes - the local share of Medicaid. A statewide takeover of Medicaid would reduce property taxes by a third. The Majority has made it clear their agenda is focused on bailing New York City out while upstate New York continues to languish under their progressive, job-killing agenda.”