“The governor’s executive budget takes some small steps toward increased fiscal responsibility by imposing a temporary ban on unfunded state mandates and by consolidating some state governmental functions. However, with unemployment continuing to hover in the double digit range and the state facing billion dollar deficits, the governor should have done more in his executive budget to provide a climate in which the private sector can revitalize the economy and create jobs.

The last thing New Yorkers need right now is to be hit with another billion dollar tax increase, which is exactly what the governor’s budget proposes. Instead of raising taxes, the governor should have more aggressively worked to consolidate state government and reduce runaway Medicaid costs.

While there appears to be some reforms and cost-saving measures in the budget, the devil is in the details. As the budget process moves forward, I will work to analyze and evaluate the state budget and fight to remove any tax and fee increases.”