“Gov. Cuomo’s budget address proved once again that his priorities are misplaced. Our state is going into the year with a $6.1 billion budget gap, and quite frankly, Gov. Cuomo should be more concerned with addressing this significant fiscal shortfall,” said Walsh. “It is hard to believe that rather than proposing responsible cuts, he is questioning the reality of the deficit based on a reduced rate of growth and more spending. I am concerned with several items that he outlined, including the change in the Foundation Aid formula, $33 billion for a ‘progressive’ battle against climate change over the next five years, and only a brief mention of further addressing the serious problems that have come along with last year’s bail ‘reform’ measures. It’s no secret that Upstate residents and businesses need infrastructure report, but with a large portion of Upstate’s share being used to redesign its airports, I’m afraid that more New York taxpayers will be visiting the airports to purchase a one-way ticket to Florida.

“Additionally, the governor has made it very clear that the legalization of recreational marijuana is at the top of his priorities for the year, and also that it should be done within the budget. This is too big of an issue to jam through the middle of the night with little input from New Yorkers and their representatives.”