Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, (R-C, Elma) issued the following statement:

"The $268 billion budget adopted by the State Senate is out of touch with residents and businesses who continue to struggle under New York’s affordability crisis. This budget is not only seven weeks late, but it also increases spending by more than $14 billion over last year and does little to address rising utility bills, housing costs, and taxes.

As I discussed on the Senate floor, this budget also fails to enhance oversight of New York’s Medicaid system, where spending has ballooned by an astonishing 89-percent in recent years despite decreases in enrollment in the program. While I recognize the need to help others, we must do it in a fiscally responsible manner and ensure that every dollar is properly spent and accounted for. 

I am also concerned the budget does not repeal the unrealistic, unattainable, and unaffordable energy mandates dictated by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Instead, it delays the deadlines and offers residents a modest rebate check that will do little to help families pay their utility bills. We must do better.

This budget rejects the lessons learned from 9/11 by restricting information sharing between law enforcement agencies and continues a pattern of enacting policy that favors offenders over law abiding citizens.

Despite the necessary services and programs properly funded by this budget, in the end, I voted against this budget because it spends too much and does too little to make New York safer and more affordable. Taxpayers deserve better.”   

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