Skoufis and Metzger Draw 100 Attendees to Public Forum on State Budget

Senators James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) and Jen Metzger (D-Rosendale) hosted their second annual joint budget forum for Hudson Valley constituents. The event was held to ensure residents had an opportunity to voice where and how they think funds should be allocated in the 2020-2021 State Budget. About 100 residents attended and over half provided testimony, voicing the need for state support on a wide range of issues. 

Senator Skoufis said, “I have worked overtime to change Albany's attitude towards the Hudson Valley, which is why, as a loud voice in the State Senate, it’s critical to continue hearing directly from my constituents while we are amidst budget negotiations in the legislature. I was pleased to host this forum for the second year running alongside my partner, Senator Metzger, and look forward to taking yesterday's testimony and using it to inform our ongoing discussions. We are still accepting written testimony and I welcome constituents to send it to our offices.” 

The state budget affects everything from the condition and safety of our roads to clean drinking water, our children's education, and farmland protection, and as legislators it is important that we hear directly from our constituents about their needs and budgetary priorities," said Senator Jen Metzger. "I am pleased to join with my colleague, Senator James Skoufis, in holding this budget forum to get the input of the people we represent, and I encourage constituents who could not attend today to reach out to our offices and share their views with us. We will take all this input back to Albany as we fight to make sure that our communities get their fair share of resources to meet local needs."

Tessa Killian, Executive Director of the Southeastern NY Library Resources Council said, "I'm grateful to Senators Metzger and Skoufis for conducting this important budget forum at the Goshen Public Library & Historical Society. The venue itself underscores my testimony: Instead of cutting library aid, we need to increase funding to support the fundamental framework of New York State libraries, and improve the lives of residents, students, and medical staff, and to host more events of this nature. On behalf of Southeastern New York Library Resources Council, I would like to thank both Senators for taking the time to truly hear from such a variety of constituents, and I trust they will take our feedback to Albany and do what's right."

Written testimony is still being accepted at skoufis@nysenate.gov, and metzger@nysenate.gov. A full livestream of the forum can be found here. 

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS.

James Skoufis represents the 39th Senate District, which includes parts of Orange, and Ulster, and Rockland Counties. Senator Skoufis serves as Chairman of the Investigations and Government Operations Committee and sits on the Agriculture, Finance, Internet and Technology, Local Government, Transportation, and Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions Committees.

Jen Metzger represents the 42nd Senate District, which includes all of Sullivan County and parts of Delaware, Orange, and Ulster Counties. Senator Metzger serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Environmental Conservation, Education, Health, Energy and Telecommunications, Local Government, Women’s Issues, Domestic Animal Welfare, and Legislative Commission on Rural Resources Committees.

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