“This year has been difficult, with many transitions and changes, but I have always kept my focus on the people’s priorities – which are keeping our upstate communities affordable for families and providing better employment and business opportunities for New Yorkers. While I’m pleased to see the property tax cap extended and the creation of an additional $1.3 billion property tax rebate check program, we still have not addressed the unfunded mandate relief promised by the governor and legislative leaders to our communities and school districts. There is more work to be done to improve education for children and restore public trust with strong ethics reforms. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but I am undeterred and will push for these things next session.”