NEW YORK STATE – On Tuesday, officials from around the state responded Governor Andrew Cuomo's 2018-19 executive budget proposal.

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22): “Once again, Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget Proposal is a disaster for New York citizens. The Governor’s tax-and-spend regime shows a complete lack of respect for the taxpayers of our state. Cuomo is continuing his addiction to spending by hiking taxes to fund more failed cronyism policies and corporate welfare schemes. Meanwhile, Cuomo’s budget plan refuses to cut spending to address our state’s dangerously high debt—the second highest in the nation. Cuomo’s bloated budget proposal will continue to drive people and jobs out of our state in record numbers. New York leads the nation in outmigration of its citizens.

“Instead of providing tax and regulatory relief to struggling families, the Governor’s budget will punish small businesses, our most important job creators. Small businesses create nearly 70 percent of new jobs.

“The solution is simple. The Governor and the Legislature should cut wasteful spending, reduce tax rates, prioritize programs that New Yorkers rely on and stop using hard-earned taxpayer money for personal political advancement. It’s time for the Governor to put New York citizens ahead of his political ambitions for a change, or our economy and the well-being of our communities will be in serious jeopardy.”

State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I/Ref – Oneonta): “As we confront the serious fiscal challenges before us this year, we need to focus on two key fundamentals – new job opportunities and affordability for families and businesses. Those priorities are first on my mind as I closely review the details of the governor’s budget proposal.”

“To contend with the state’s budget deficit we must cap state spending, cut taxes, and generate economic growth. We can grow our way out of this hole, but it will take fiscal discipline and policies that will help boost our state’s business climate.