The 2015-16 Enacted Budget clearly highlights the lack of collaboration and cooperation that is holding our state back in many areas. The governor presented a budget that showed he had little interest in working with the Legislature or listening to local governments or taxpayers. “Three men in a room” is no way to negotiate a state spending plan.

Upstate has long been ignored by those in power in Albany and downstate. This was made clear with the out-of-touch policies injected into the budget. Upstate communities asked for fairly-distributed economic assistance, but were instead given a program likened to the “Hunger Games” that would pit seven upstate economic regions against each other for only three $500 million awards.

I have been beating the drum for more investment in local aid to repair our crumbling local bridges and roads. The budget did increase investment in infrastructure, however, most of it would be controlled by the governor and his agencies, and there continues to be substantially more funding provided for downstate communities.

The governor made some bold moves to force so-called education reform on our already stressed education system. This negatively impacts our educators and the parents of students, who were not brought into this conversation. The governor has charged the State Education Department with creating a new teacher evaluation system. This is the same agency that failed our students with the implementation of Common Core.

Time and time again, the people were ignored in this budget. What New Yorkers really need are middle-class and small-business tax relief so families can thrive, and job growth and economic development can flourish.

I will continue to work with my colleagues so your voice is heard in Albany. Although the budget is done, we have nine more weeks of the legislative session, and I intend to make each one count for you.