Senator Helming Statement on New York State Budget

“While there is some good in this budget, overall, the budget falls very short in stimulating our economic recovery, supporting our small businesses and job creators, backing the middle class, and getting people back to work. 

This budget gets so many priorities wrong. It includes $2.1 billion for direct payments to undocumented workers. Senate Democrats made this their priority, instead of boosting support for small businesses, veterans, people with developmental disabilities, seniors, or individuals with mental health challenges. In fact, the budget cuts 200 inpatient mental health beds.

New York already has one of the worst tax climates in the nation. Higher taxes will only drive more families, businesses and jobs out of New York State. 

This budget spends more than the states of Texas and Florida combined. It spends almost as much as California, which has double the population of New York. Higher spending will only worsen the state’s already dire financial situation, and taxpayers will be left paying the price.

According to the New York State Comptroller, employment declined by nearly 2 million jobs from February to April 2020. It is estimated that less than half of the jobs lost have been recovered. 

Our focus should be on jumpstarting our economic recovery by investing in our workforce and reducing taxes and red tape. This budget does the opposite. It taxes and spends at historic levels, at a time when New Yorkers can least afford it.

New York needs to be a place where people, families and businesses can grow and succeed. This budget does not get us there. It only puts us further behind.”