Here are the real facts before COVID-19 even existed: New York has led the nation in population loss, with over one million people leaving over the past decade for greener pastures, our debt is second in the nation only to California, and our state budget with mounting deficits every year continues to be larger than states such as Florida and Texas.

Now with the COVID-19 crisis, the state faces a $15 billion deficit, small businesses and restaurants have been forced to shut down due to no fault of their own, thousands of workers are unemployed and employers struggling to survive, and many parents are attempting to educate their children from home with no access to broadband.

COVID-19 has shaken our state and its economy, but New York has had a tax-and-spend problem and population exodus way before this virus hit it. There is no question that the virus has pushed New York even closer to the brink.

We don’t need any more talk. We need action. We need to get our restaurants and small businesses currently restricted or closed opened safely and provide them real relief to recover. We need to ensure the allocated vaccinations are being distributed promptly. We need broadband access available at every home, business and farm, now. Lastly, we need to be bold and reimagine how we operate this state’s finances so hardworking taxpayers and families are no longer forced to leave because of high taxes and burdensome state regulations.