“The People of New York are feeling the financial burden caused by the state government’s fiscal irresponsibility and inflation — the worst in forty years. Instead of addressing these two important issues by creating a fiscally responsible state budget, the Assembly Majority has put forward another record-breaking spending plan. Furthermore, their attempt at making minor changes to some of the bail laws is not enough to address the rising violence we’re seeing throughout the state. While there are some helpful provisions within this budget such as the partial suspension of the state gas tax, which I voted for, there is much more that could have been done to provide tax relief to small businesses and New Yorkers and create a pro-business climate.”