North Country Leader

New York State Senator Mark Walczyk has expressed strong opposition to the Senate's One-House Budget proposal, criticizing its $259 billion allocation as excessive and misaligned with the financial needs of New Yorkers. The budget surpasses Governor Hochul's executive proposal by $7 billion.

Senator Walczyk stated, "With a staggering proposed budget of $259 billion, surpassing the Governor's own executive proposal of $252 billion, this budget fails to prioritize the financial needs of New Yorkers. While the Senate Democrats endorse their budget as a plan for 'affordability,' the reality is far from it." He added that measures such as canceling rebate checks and increasing taxes would not alleviate financial burdens on families.

The senator highlighted specific expenditures he deemed wasteful, including allocations for cultural projects and renewable energy initiatives. He criticized funding for projects like "$125,000 for the Bronx Museum of Arts" and "$1 billion for solar panels and wind turbines," suggesting these do not address immediate community needs.

Walczyk also condemned plans to close up to five prisons, arguing it would worsen conditions in correctional facilities. "Closing these facilities will throw more fuel on the dumpster fire that Governor Hochul has created for our corrections system," he said, warning of potential overcrowding and safety risks.

Additionally, Walczyk pointed out neglect in critical areas such as infrastructure maintenance and equitable funding distribution between downstate and upstate transit projects. He noted that initiatives like "Pave Our Potholes" remain underfunded while other programs receive disproportionate attention.

In conclusion, Senator Walczyk described the budget proposal as failing to meet essential needs: "This budget proposal, along with the reckless push to close our prisons, flat out ignores the real needs of New Yorkers."