Reaction to State of the State

Statements are starting to come in from Governor Paterson’s State of the State speech yesterday:

State Senator Bill Stachowski:

“While Governor Paterson’s State of the State address was a bit anticlimactic, considering his budget has already been released, it again confirms the very serious challenge that is facing State leaders. A budget deficit of this magnitude affects everyone and it will be our responsibility to make conscientious and realistic cuts. The burden of this deficit cannot rest primarily on the shoulders of the middle class and we have to be aware of the affect on our seniors who have fixed levels of income. We must also look at all public authorities and see where we can begin to change the culture of excess. This will be our greatest challenge in this new century.”

Assemblyperson Jane Corwin:

Today’s “State of the State” address was a wake up call to New Yorkers. New York faces a historic fiscal crisis, brought on by an economic recession and years of financial mismanagement. Governor Paterson outlined many issues that will be essential to restoring New York’s economic strength and quality of life.

However, with the state deficit at $15 billion, state debt at $55 billion and thousands of private sector jobs lost, New York cannot afford to tax, spend and borrow our way out of a financial hole. The governor’s budget included over 137 new taxes and fees on the middle class and increased spending by $1 billion, and today’s address made no mention of reversing course. This is unacceptable.

I look forward to working across party lines to strengthen our economy, not by increasing the burden on middle-class families, but through targeted tax relief and cutting wasteful spending. The financial crisis demands tough decisions, and I am ready to stand up for upstate and fight for the 142nd District.

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt:

The governor is right to inform the people of NYS about the magnitude of the financial problem that confronts us. He has done so effectively for some time now. Now it is incumbent upon the leaders of NYS to articulate exactly how it is that we are going to voercome the severe problems facing this great state. We need to give the people of the state that there is light at the end of the tunnel and hope for a brighter future. There also need to be a much greater emphasis on what particular plans the state has to address the problems of upstate NY. I am hopeful that as we continue to negotiate the state budget in the coming months that there will be better answers to these important questions.

Senator Dale Volker:

 “As with many State of the State addresses that I have had the honor in hearing, the Governor laid out his
vision for New York State and those initiatives that he wants implemented.   I commend him for his efforts
to improve our state during these financially troubling times.”

“The Governor gave us a glimpse on his plans to reduce the state budget deficit and pay for expanded
government programs and services. The Governor last month proposed over $8 BILLION in new taxes
 and fees to help reduce the projected deficit and pay for expanded government services and liberal social
policies that will place enormous financial strain on both the State of New York and New York taxpayers.”

“We have to be realistic in our goals and protect those programs that families and businesses depend upon
 every day.  We must continue to focus our efforts to protect our school districts from cuts that will hit kids
 in the classroom.  We have to protect our healthcare system to ensure that it remains affordable and
accessible to the frail and elderly, families, businesses and our children.  Most importantly, we must
focus our efforts to create an economic environment that promotes and nurtures business, both large
and small, so that they can create good paying jobs with benefits. Additionally, we must stop the taxing
and spending policies that have placed significant financial stress on county and local governments that
have forced significant property tax increases year after year.”

“Just like families across New York State, the state must live within its financial means. I have always
said that New York does not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.  That means that in
order to stabilize the state budget we must cut spending, reprioritize state programs, and ensure that our
taxpayers are protected from taxes increases, fees and surcharges that pick the pockets of our citizens.”
“As the state budget process begins, I am going to work in a collaborative effort to work with Governor
Paterson to achieve a budget that is sound, stable, and protects western New York taxpayers. In the end,
we need more taxpayers, not more taxes.”