“I truly believe both sides of the aisle must work together for the betterment of our state and in the best interest of all New York state residents. Based on a $5.7 billion tax hike proposed today by the Assembly Majority – driven by New York City Politicians – it is very clear that my colleagues on the other side are not thinking in the best interest of upstate residents or any New Yorker.

“In addition to the massive tax hike, the Assembly Majority proposed no increase in funding to repair our deteriorating local roads and bridges in upstate for the seventh consecutive year; they eliminated millions in agrotourism funding and they did not expand the TAP program for our college students, even though it was a point of emphasis for them to approve free college tuition for undocumented, illegal individuals this year. This is unacceptable and I will be fighting against these measures during final budget negotiations.”