Some of New York’s biggest problems – crippling taxes, a slow upstate economic recovery, and devastated communities – are interconnected and cannot be resolved with the band-aid-type solution that Albany continually resorts to. Upstate New Yorkers deserve holistic solutions to fix these serious problems, which are negatively affecting our hardworking families.

Yes, it’s true, we’ve made considerable progress over the past few years. The legislature has passed two on-time budgets and has kept spending low. We took New York, which was $10 billion in the hole, to a $2 billion surplus. We’ve been able to lower the middle-class tax rate to its lowest point in 60 years. Over the last three years, we’ve invested $477 million in Regional Economic Development money in the North Country and the Mohawk Valley. These are wonderful signs of progress, but I think New Yorkers deserve even more.

Prior to the State of the State address, the governor announced his plan for tax relief, and while I agree with many of the proposals, he has just begun to scratch the surface. We know how devastating taxes have been to our state. These extreme taxes have pushed families out of New York, forced mom-and-pop shops to close, and have left our communities struggling. The governor has rightly said that property taxes are among the worst taxes faced by New Yorkers, and I agree, but he’s put a lot of the blame on our local municipalities when we need to address unfunded state mandate relief.

Many local government officials have been honoring the two percent property tax cap. But where is the unfunded mandate relief promised by the governor? He has certainly delivered some relief, but it’s not nearly enough to lower upstate property taxes for good, and it’s not enough to allow municipalities the freedom to invest in repairing crumbling roads, bridges and sewers, or address blight or economic development. What is left to invest when nearly 90 percent of the tax levy has been determined by expensive mandates dictated by Albany?

If we lower income taxes, business taxes and property taxes, individuals and job creators will be able to invest in themselves and their communities. If we provide unfunded mandate relief and assistance, local governments will be able to invest in the amenities and infrastructure to attract job creators and businesses, and revitalize their communities. If New York takes this holistic approach, we will finally begin to see signs of recovery, rampant growth and prosperity.

These are my priorities for my constituents. I will work diligently to show my legislative colleagues and the governor how this approach can work for upstate and all New Yorkers.

If you have comments or questions on this topic or any other state issue, please feel free to call me at 493-3909 or email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us.