“The budget process continues to lack transparency and the ability to serve the struggling families of New York. One-party rule in our state government has led to a budget that favors advancing political agendas over the hardworking, middle-class residents of our great state. Especially now, when COVID-19 has taken the lives of so many New Yorkers and left countless others not knowing where their next meal will come from, it is not the time to sneak disastrous policy ideas into the state budget.

“In the budget, NYSERDA, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Public Service have enacted uniform standards for renewable energy facilities that remove local representation on siting boards for these projects. The lack of local control and input in the decision-making process is a massive overreach of state power. Do state bureaucrats really know what’s best for the town better than local officials?

“Due to the financial uncertainty our state is facing with impacts from the coronavirus, the Legislature has given too much authority to the executive branch. The governor and budget director have the power to adjust funding throughout the year. The lack of certainty and stability is harmful to our local towns, villages and schools. Right now, our local school and library funding faces cuts. Yet, public financing for campaigns was approved in the budget, which could cost $100 million. Why don’t we take that money and put it toward our children’s future?

“Programs important that provide needed aid to our seniors, such as EPIC, have been slashed, while Democrats fund millions into free legal advice for incarcerated felons. It’s unacceptable that our state government cares more about incarcerated felons than seniors in our communities. How dare our one-party government treat them so poorly?”