ALBANY, 01/17/12 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today commented on Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal:
“The governor’s budget proposal is a sound continuation of last year’s effort to rein in state spending without raising taxes or resorting to new borrowing. I believe the plan hits close to the mark on a number of my key priorities and provides a solid starting point for this year’s budget discussion.
“Two of the most pressing needs upstate – the state takeover of Medicaid and additional education aid for needy school districts – are addressed to some extent though I would prefer to be more aggressive than the governor suggests. I look forward to further enhancing these directives to produce true property tax relief while maintaining our schools and services for those most in need.
“I am also pleased to see investments in economic development programs, upstate roads and bridges and our state’s number one industry, agriculture. New York is turning the fiscal corner and improving our infrastructure and devoting resources to job creation are crucial steps toward long-term advances.
“The governor also calls for additional consolidation of state agencies to generate savings. This is a long time priority of mine. I endorse utilizing the SAGE (Spending and Government Efficiency) Commission and other cost cutting initiatives to produce savings and efficiencies that will right-size state government.
“New York is on an upward trajectory. Approval of a fiscally sound, on-time budget will amplify our progress and help continue our rise.”
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