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Sen. Griffo Issues Statement
on 2021-22 State Budget
Published: April 08, 2021 at 05:30 p.m.
By: Press Release from Sen. Griffo’s
Office
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: April 8, 2021
Griffo statement on 2021-22 State Budget
New
York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-I-C-Rome,
released the following statement today regarding the 2021-22 New York State
Budget:
“While
the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a number of challenges, the budget
negotiated by the legislative majorities contains historic levels of
spending that, on top of a significant infusion of federal funding, will
lead to potential problems in the future related to the long-term
sustainability of such funding levels. For this and many other reasons, I
did not support the budget as it was presented.
At
a time when we should be focused on making New York more affordable,
creating jobs and economic opportunity and
stopping the mass exodus of people from the state, the majorities went on a
spending spree, approving a $217 billion budget – the largest in state
history – that increases spending 10 percent from last year. New York’s
budget is now more than the total combined state budgets of Texas and
Florida, both of which have larger populations.
In
addition to skyrocketing spending, the budget also contains significant tax
and fee increases and provides insufficient long-term assistance for the
state’s struggling economy where a third of businesses have permanently
closed in the past year. Rather than focusing on the future needs of the
state’s business community and laying the groundwork for future economic
growth across our state, the budget hands out $2.1 billion in direct
payments to undocumented immigrants and recently paroled convicts while
small businesses, veterans and mental health and addiction services will
receive approximately half of that amount. This again demonstrates the
mindset of the majorities and their misplaced priorities.
Additionally,
a convoluted mobile sports betting provision included in the budget potentially
excludes residents living within the Oneida Nation’s 10-county exclusivity
zone – including Oneida and Lewis counties – from participating in this
activity. Excluding these counties from mobile sports betting could result
in a breach of the settlement between the Nation and the state. This could
also put $70 million the state receives annually, as well as millions of
dollars for Oneida County, at risk.
Further,
the budget does not allow small upstate pharmacies to utilize a
fee-for-service through Medicaid, which could lead to these pharmacies
closing their doors for good. It is imperative that we do all that we can
to ensure that small businesses remain viable within the communities that
they serve.
I
also remain concerned that the budget allows for the closure of additional
prisons, which will have a detrimental impact on upstate communities and
continue to contribute to a public safety risk alongside the unsafe bail
policy the majorities implemented. The budget also does not provide for
parity between all regions of the state, especially when it comes to
infrastructure and school funding and, not surprisingly, seems heavily
skewed toward meeting the needs of the New York City area. A retirement
incentive that is only for workers in the metropolitan area is one example.
This
budget is indicative of someone who overindulges on food or drink. While it
may feel good at the time, the hangover later is the problem.
Unfortunately, New Yorkers will be feeling and dealing with this financial
hangover for years to come.
While
there were some worthy items in the budget, including funding for schools
and the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS),
the overall approach and direction taken by the majorities was
irresponsible. It will drive more businesses out of our state due to
burdensome taxes and regulations, stifle the state’s economic recovery from
coronavirus and make it more difficult for New Yorkers, who have now found
different options and methods to work, to continue to live here.
A
more practical and pragmatic approach, with a repositioning and
reprioritizing of how and where we spend, was needed and could have been
utilized. We also should have addressed and moved to provide relief from
high taxes and energy costs, which I have regularly advocated for during my
time in the Senate. That is how we can build a brighter, stronger and more
competitive future."
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