“After hearing Governor Hochul’s $233 billion executive budget proposal today, it is clear that New York has a spending problem and that this level of funding is unsustainable. While there are certain facets of the Governor’s budget proposal that I agree with, such as funding for public safety, mental health and transportation, I have reservations about Gov. Hochul’s priorities of placing such emphasis and importance on migrants rather than education, what is being done to address outmigration and what aspects of the budget will truly improve the affordability for Upstate New Yorkers. The affordability issues in our state did not get the attention from the Governor that we hoped and in the budget negotiations I hope to work with my colleagues to bring the rightful attention to it.”