“We knew that going into this year’s budget process with a $2.3 billion revenue shortfall would make it challenging to provide the necessary financial support for the essential programs and services available to New Yorkers. It’s no surprise that people are fed up and leaving the state, and they’re taking their hard-earned tax dollars with them. Out-migration is a huge part of the revenue shortfall, and rather than tightening our spending and identifying common sense priorities, this budget does nothing to reverse the trends that have our residents and businesses packing.

“The one-party leadership has made it quite clear that the needs of the average New York taxpayer fall behind criminals and undocumented immigrants. Among those who have been forgotten are direct-care workers, municipalities, business owners, highway supervisors and the middle-class families who expect relief, not continued financial stress. We have once again catered to a political narrative and “progress” instead of providing for New Yorkers who reasonably believe they are being failed by our state’s governing body. We need to do better.”