Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith today blasted the Senate's Majority for "abandoning their commitment to accountable and responsible governance."
Smith said the Senate Majority plans to eliminate strategic reserves created by the Executive Budget and increase anticipated deficits in future budgets, "is the height of fiscal irresponsibility."
He said the Majority plans to add billions of dollars in spending to the Governor's budget "would condemn the State to escalating deficits and spiraling property taxes."
Smith said New York "is at a critical juncture. Our debt has skyrocketed in the past decade because a dysfunctional legislature refused to act responsibly and reign in spending."
As a result, New York's homeowners now face the highest property taxes in the nation and our
business climate, especially Upstate, has stagnated.
Smith praised Governor Spitzer for "exhibiting the leadership and courage necessary to make the tough decisions and propose necessary reductions in State spending."
Smith said the Governor has brought "a new reality to Albany, in which accountability and responsibility are of utmost importance."
Senate Majority, however, "continue to cling to the status quo, continue to do business as usual and continue to ignore the critical issues facing New York State."
Smith said the Senate Minority are committed to providing New Yorkers with "health care that is both affordable and excellent, with schools that are properly functioning and properly funded and with property taxes that are appropriate and affordable."
However, Smith said the State could achieve those goals "without pandering and without abandoning our commitment to responsible and accountable government."
No comments:
Post a Comment