Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) said today that while he is pleased to see the governor and legislature come to an agreement and pass the 2014-15 State Budget, the secretive, closed-door meetings and lack of relief for upstate taxpayers were once again evident throughout the budget’s conception and eventual passage.

True mandate relief does not appear anywhere in this budget. Instead, we are squandering potential revenue with bogus property tax freezes, political handouts and closures of rehabilitation facilities. Unfortunately, stimulating the state’s economy is not a priority.

“The 2014-15 State Budget is another example of governmental control at its worst, with Albany politicians hand-picking winners and losers and pitting one group against another, without providing any substantial tax and mandate relief for the Southern Tier. Instead of job creation and tax relief, we are lured with political gimmicks,” said Friend.

With the upcoming closure of Monterey Shock, New York is playing politics instead of promoting a program that works. Monterey shock has an 84 percent graduation rate, seven percent recidivism rate, offers drug counseling, the opportunity to receive a GED, provides structure and a strong work ethic. It provides the discipline and resources that these incarcerated individuals need for rehabilitation.

In addition, the state government, local governments and non-profits benefit from the work that Monterey Shock performs. Unfortunately, the governor and legislative leaders decided to close this facility to “save money,” and promote taxpayer-funded education for the incarcerated.

Recently, the Assembly debated whether there are enough inmates in the system who qualify for shock to keep Monterey open. However, at Lakeview Shock, healthy inmates are sleeping in the infirmary, they are double-bunked, and there is a waiting period of more than six months.

Since the implementation of the property tax cap, local governments have been waiting for their “promised” unfunded mandate relief. During the initial debate in the 60s, Sen. “Cadillac” Bill Smith asked about the fiscal impact of instituting a Medicaid program. Today, it has grown into the largest unfunded state mandate. Local governments require additional funds to lessen the burden of Medicaid payments. The $1.5 billion for Gov Cuomo’s property tax freeze would have been more effectively used to offset the local share of Medicaid with a dollar for dollar reduction of the county property tax levy.

The $410 million that will be distributed to families with school-age children should have been used to reduce the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA). This is a political ploy that wastes precious taxpayer funds. Language should have been inserted into the budget to eliminate the GEA in the future.

All of these inadequacies could have been avoided if not for the rushed conception and passage of another “on-time” state budget.