“These past two years, New Yorkers have faced physical, emotional and economic distress brought on by the pandemic. Now, as the omicron variant recedes, families are facing inflation as gas and grocery prices are on the rise. That’s why I am working to put money back in the pockets of middle-class working families in this year’s state budget.

I’m pleased to see the Assembly budget proposal lowers taxes and provides relief to those who need it most. This includes funding to accelerate middle-class tax cuts, expansion of the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit and $2.2 billion in property tax relief checks.

The budget proposal also includes critical funding for programs that our communities depend on, specifically, increased funding for my proposal to expand Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) bus service into the City of Amsterdam. The plan provides $3.3 million for the proposal. Furthermore, the 111^th Assembly District is home to a large number of state employees, and the proposal also provides $10 million for two upstate-on-demand transit pilot programs and $300,000 for a pilot program for no cost transit service to be provided by CDTA for the state’s workforce within its service area.

As the final budget deadline approaches, I’ll continue working for additional funding and important measures that will support our upstate families and help rebuild our economy.”