Another year, another legislative session in Albany that was filled with rhetoric but severely lacking in results. Gov. Kathy Hochul even had the audacity to tout her recent spending plan as a means to build a “stronger, safer, more affordable New York.” The reality, however, is that she and the Democratic machine that controls state government is making our state weaker, more dangerous and less affordable than ever before.
At $268.5 billion, this year’s budget was the largest spending plan in state history. It passed nearly two months late and was built on the same flawed premise that continues to drive families, seniors, and small businesses out of New York: that state government can spend more, tax more, regulate more and somehow improve the lives of its residents by doing so.
What more evidence do these folks need to realize it’s not working?
Notably, the state of Florida has three million more residents than New York, but its current budget is set to spend just $114.5 billion this year — a roughly $600 million reduction from last year. The fact that Florida spends well less than half of what New York spends, yet more people are flocking there and fleeing from here tells you all you need to know.
Given that, I was a strong no vote on the tax increases and fiscal plan.
New York already asks too much of taxpayers. We have some of the highest taxes and costs of living in America, and a state government that treats every problem as an invitation to create a new program, mandate or revenue stream. That is not sustainable. It is not fair to working families in Rockland County, and it is not honest budgeting.
I also voted no on the Democrats’ decision to embrace even more reckless sanctuary state policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration officials and further limit the ability of local communities to protect themselves. As many reading this know, I was proud to be part of a coalition of local elected officials, law enforcement groups and frustrated citizens who defeated an attempt to push this garbage in the Rockland County Legislature.
Let me be clear: I support due process and I support legal immigration. But as the son and brother of NYPD Officers, I do not — and will never — support policies that prevent law enforcement from doing their jobs and keeping us safe.
That said, my job is not to vote no for the sake of voting no. My job is to read the bills, separate the good from the bad and do what is right for the people I represent.
There were provisions in this budget that deserved support, and I supported them even when that meant voting with Democrats and against almost every member of my own party. I voted for the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation budget bill because it included meaningful investments and reforms for local infrastructure, farmers, highway safety, utility transparency and economic development. It included additional CHIPS funding for roads and bridges, support for volunteer fire departments and emergency response equipment, investment tax relief for farmers, and measures aimed at forcing more accountability from utilities before rate hikes land on families’ bills.
I also supported the Legislature and Judiciary budget bill. Courts must function. The Legislature must serve constituents. The public has every right to demand restraint, transparency and accountability from government, but starving the basic operations of coequal branches is not reform. It’s a recipe for even further dysfunction.
On education, labor, housing and family assistance, I supported legislation that included additional school aid, universal prekindergarten, child care vouchers, housing reforms and measures affecting families and workers. I do not agree with every line Albany writes into massive bills. One of my biggest frustrations is that unrelated policy gets jammed together, forcing legislators to vote on a take-it-or-leave-it package. But when a bill includes real help for schools, students, local communities and working families, I will not ignore that because the easier political answer is to vote no across the board.
That is responsible representation. As the vote standing between Albany Democrats a completely unaccountable supermajority, my job is to apply common sense and look for common ground. To that end, fiscal discipline does not mean opposing every investment. It means asking whether taxpayers can afford it, whether it solves a real problem, whether it respects local communities and whether it makes New York more livable.
By that standard, this budget failed too often. New York can and must do better.
We can fund schools without wasting money. We can support police, firefighters, veterans, seniors and people with disabilities without treating taxpayers like an endless ATM. We can invest in roads, bridges, child care, hospitals and infrastructure while still saying no to irresponsible spending. And we can welcome immigrants while insisting that law enforcement be allowed to cooperate when public safety is on the line.
As Rockland’s state senator, I will continue to always put my constituents first and do what I believe is right, not what is politically expedient. That is my promise to you and I intend to keep it.
Senator Bill Weber represents the 38th Senate District, which includes the towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, and Ramapo in Rockland County.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Albany’s budget fiasco shows why NY needs Republicans | Opinion
Reporting by State Senator Bill Weber / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By State Senator Bill Weber | USA TODAY Network
