ONEONTA – Despite the challenges of today’s economy, there is plenty of opportunity for those willing to take action and get involved. That is the message Assemblyman Pete Lopez had for the young business people who attended the Tri-County Young Professionals Annual Membership Luncheon last Thursday.

The event, held at the Stella Luna Ristorante in Oneonta, brought together young business professionals from Chenango, Otsego and Delaware Counties.

“New York has a lot to offer,” said Lopez, whose district, the 127th, includes portions of all three of the counties the organization represents. “We have young people who are hungry to learn and eager to stay in New York State.”

Of course, the state is not without its challenges. High taxes, fines and over regulation have created what Lopez described as an “oppressive” environment for businesses. This year’s state budget will only make that worse.

“The budget that was just passed was done with three people in a room, literally,” Lopez reported. “The terms were dictated to the rank and file.” That budget, he said, contains $10 billion in new spending, $5.6 billion in borrowing, $7 billion in new taxes and fees and $6 billion in “temporary money” from the federal stimulus.

“We are out of balance,” the assemblyman said. “The pendulum has swung to the point where we (as a state) are no longer sustainable.” A problem which he said permeates our society.

“My fear is, as a society, we’re conditioning ourselves to be a society of entitlement,” the assemblyman explained, where people spend beyond their means and have no tolerance of limits.