Senator Peter Oberacker: $254 Billion Budget Misses the Mark for Upstate New York

ALBANY, 5/8/25 - In the late hours of Thursday evening, the New York State Senate passed the bloated $254 billion state budget for 2025-2026. Senator Peter Oberacker voiced sharp criticism of the plan, pointing to misplaced priorities, reckless spending, and the continued disregard for rural communities and public safety.

“Let me start by recognizing a few positives,” said Senator Oberacker. “Universal free breakfast and lunch in schools, continued investments in school-based health centers, and $5 million in new grant funding for meat processors are wins I fought hard for, both in committee and on the Senate Floor. These programs directly support families and small businesses in our upstate communities.”

But Oberacker made it clear that those wins were overshadowed by the budget’s larger failures.

“This budget is completely disconnected from the needs of everyday New Yorkers,” he said. “While families are struggling to pay their utility bills and buy groceries, the Majority is busy expanding housing vouchers for illegal migrants and cutting deals behind closed doors.”

Senator Oberacker also condemned the administration’s ongoing efforts to close more state prisons. A move that disproportionately hurts upstate towns.

“This isn’t reform, it’s retreat,” said Oberacker. “Governor Hochul’s policies are gutting correctional facilities, destroying local economies, and ignoring the real crime problems we face. Instead of protecting our communities, she’s doubling down on a dangerous pro-criminal agenda.”

One of the most egregious budget items, according to Oberacker, is a hidden $10 million appropriation for the legal defense of Attorney General Letitia James, who is facing an FBI investigation for mortgage fraud.

“This is $10 million of your money to fund a legal slush fund for the Attorney General. This is money that should be going to fix roads, support farmers, or help small businesses,” Oberacker said. “It’s not just wrong, it’s unethical and borderline corrupt.”

“Once again, the Governor and her allies chose politics over people,” he concluded. “I’ll keep standing up for the 51st District and fighting to bring common sense back to Albany. We need to get back to basics. Safe streets, strong schools, lower taxes, and an economy that works for all of New York.”

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