Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), the Minority Conference’s Ranking Member on the Committee on Ways & Means, issued the following statement after today’s meeting of the General Budget Conference Committee. The Committee convened today after Majority Conferences passed one-house budget resolutions on Monday. The Assembly has proposed the largest spending plan in state history, at $208 billion, while raising taxes $6.8 billion.

“The spending plans offered by the Assembly and Senate Majorities do not encourage individuals or businesses to stay in New York. Rather, they put us at a competitive disadvantage by relying on runaway spending and reinforcing an unfriendly tax climate that will only accelerate outmigration.

The Legislature and the Executive should be doing everything in their power to ensure the state gets back on its feet from the devastating economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while simultaneously facilitating a responsible recovery for families, businesses and communities.

The tax-and-spend proposals offered by the Majority Conferences are completely misguided and unsustainable. It’s the same approach that had our state economy facing a $7 billion budget hole long before anyone knew what COVID was. With a $208 billion taxpayer-funded wish list, and an outrageous $6.8 billion in new taxes, every New Yorker should be nervous about what might end up in the final 2021-2022 State Budget.

For some context, please consider: Texas has a population of 29 million and an annual budget of $112 billion. Florida has a population of 21.5 million and an annual budget of $97 billion. California’s population of 39.5 million is more than double New York, but its budget of $227 billion is only marginally bigger than what Majority members proposed.

We can no longer afford to be ranked at or near the bottom for our tax climate and population loss. In an open and transparent manner, we must enact steady, predictable state tax and regulatory policies that will help the state’s economy to rebound naturally.

Now more than ever, it is incumbent upon us to agree on a responsible spending plan that supports measures that stimulate the state’s economic recovery, job creation and prosperity for the 19.4 million residents that call New York their home.”