“While I am encouraged that Gov. Cuomo has pledged to increase education aid and end New York’s embarrassing exodus rate – we have heard this tune before and I am not convinced.

“The governor continues to tell us New York is thriving, yet one million residents have fled the state during his tenure and any continuation of his phony economic development schemes will only exacerbate that regrettable statistic.

“Affordability starts at the grassroots level, putting more money back into middle-class families pockets by cutting property taxes, empowering small-businesses and putting an end to any new unfunded mandates, taxes or fees.

“The governor paints a bright vision of New York, but I’ll believe real change when I see it.”