O’Mara said Hochul is proposing badly needed tax relief for many New Yorkers at the same time she’s looking to put in place massive increases in long-term state spending.
“The governor can’t promise permanent, long-term tax relief at the same time she’s looking to continue spending taxpayer dollars and imposing mandates like there’s no tomorrow, and the governor knows it. You can’t have it both ways. Sooner or later the well runs dry and taxpayers are left footing the bill. That’s the way it is in now in New York State and that’s the way it will go on being under the current direction of this state government,” O’Mara said.
He cautioned that the direction Hochul and legislative leaders are focusing on for the future of New York points to even harder times ahead for state and local taxpayers, small businesses and manufacturers, and already hard-pressed upstate communities, economies, and workers.
O’Mara said, “New York State is not stronger, safer, saner, or more affordable under Governor Hochul and all-Democrat control of the Legislature, and there’s no true turnaround in sight. Governor Hochul puts forth an ‘affordability agenda’ chock-full of giveaways, higher and higher spending commitments, and flashy new programs that will only keep making New York a more expensive state in which to live, work, do business, raise a family, and pay taxes. There will be no let up for the middle class under all-Democrat, one-party control of New York government. The Albany Democrat bottom line ignores the middle class in favor of a politically driven, hard-left roadmap continuing to mandate huge state spending handouts. It will only keep driving this state into the ground economically, keep increasing costs across the board, keep killing jobs and economic opportunities, and keep chasing more and more New York taxpayers and families out of the state because they can't afford to live here anymore."
O’Mara stressed that he looks forward to joining his Senate Republican colleagues throughout the new legislative session to put forth strategies to ensure that upstate regions don't get left behind. At the Capitol yesterday, Senate Republicans unveiled a “Liberate New York” legislative agenda to advance a range of policies focusing on public safety and security, economic growth and job creation, tax relief and regulatory reform, commonsense energy policies and other affordability initiatives to try to reverse New York’s nation-leading population losses.
O’Mara added that he would also work with his legislative colleagues across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions to keep attention focused on unfunded state mandates, job-killing state regulations, and a state and local tax burden that hurts family budgets and keeps New York’s business climate one of the worst in America for small businesses and manufacturers.
Hochul is scheduled to unveil her 2025-2026 proposed state budget next Tuesday after which O’Mara, the Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, and legislative colleagues will begin conducting public budget hearings on the governor’s plan.
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Statement from Senator George Borrello
“Today, Governor Hochul delivered her State of the State address, outlining her vision for New York. While she touched on some important topics like affordability and mental health, her proposals raise more questions than answers, and there are glaring omissions that can’t be ignored.
It’s encouraging to see some focus on affordability, but these proposals fall flat without addressing rising costs in other areas. Middle-class tax cuts, inflation refund checks, and an expanded Child Tax Credit may sound promising, but they will mean little to families already burdened by skyrocketing expenses. The Climate Act mandates could cost New York taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and raise utility bills by as much as 64 percent. Small businesses in New York are being crushed by costly regulations which are ultimately passed onto consumers. Without tackling these significant cost drivers, these proposals risk being little more than temporary fixes that fail to deliver meaningful relief for New Yorkers.
The Governor didn’t address ending New York’s reckless sanctuary status or cooperating with federal authorities to deport those accused or convicted of crimes. Most New Yorkers support these changes and ignoring them puts public safety at risk and leaves us at odds with federal law.
Even worse was the lack of any proposal to fix dangerous bail reform laws. The governor didn’t propose repealing them or adding a dangerousness standard, which 49 other states use to keep violent offenders off the streets. Every day, more New Yorkers are hurt or killed because of this reckless law. It’s infuriating to see headlines about repeat offenders with dozens of arrests still walking free. This failure to act emboldens criminals and puts innocent lives in danger.
It was disappointing that there was no mention of a new gaming compact with the Seneca Nation. This issue has been unresolved for over a year. The Seneca Nation is a vital partner in Western New York, and it’s frustrating that the state hasn’t negotiated in good faith. The Nation has been ready to work collaboratively but has faced unnecessary delays from the state.
An area on which I agree with the Governor is mental health. Expanding criteria for involuntary commitment and strengthening Kendra’s Law are steps I’ve supported through legislation since 2022. These changes could save lives and make communities safer. However, it will take real political courage to push these proposals past the radical advocates and their legislative allies who are staunchly opposed to such changes.
In the coming days, we’ll take a closer look at the governor’s proposals which will take real shape when the Executive Budget is released. That’s where we’ll see if these ideas are more than just talk. New Yorkers need strong leadership and real solutions. I’ll keep fighting for policies that make our state safer, more affordable, and a better place to live. It is time to get to work.”
