“I am encouraged by Gov. Hochul’s list of priorities. Addressing public safety, not raising income taxes, and increasing available mental health resources are all issues we should stand behind.

“However, she couldn’t seem to stop contradicting herself. She acknowledged high energy costs and stated a priority for affordable housing, but then proposed that all home heating be electric by 2035 and that new construction of small buildings be zero emissions by 2025. If the state subsidizes apartment buildings and makes it cost-prohibitive to build single-family homes, how will New Yorkers ever afford to own their home? How will taxpayers pay for these new energy changes? And what will be the real price tag? Affordability is a huge concern for taxpayers right now and these new proposals will only make it more expensive to live in New York.

“The governor acknowledged that New Yorkers are struggling to afford day-to-day needs and that we are on the brink of a recession. We cannot keep running up state spending without first controlling spending. After the largest state budget in our history was passed last year, I am committed more than ever to fighting wasteful spending and reining in our state budget.”