During Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State speech, he spoke at length of his lofty and highly politicized ideals, but offered little in terms of details. The governor spoke about progressive changes and focused little on the needs of upstate New Yorkers like you or me. Here’s a clear picture of what’s going on […]
During Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State speech, he spoke at length of his lofty and highly politicized ideals, but offered little in terms of details. The governor spoke about progressive changes and focused little on the needs of upstate New Yorkers like you or me.
Here’s a clear picture of what’s going on in our state. New York is facing a $4.4 billion deficit. Our hardworking New Yorkers pay among the highest property taxes in the country, live under some of the most meddlesome regulations, and question year after year as to whether they should leave for more affordable and prosperous opportunities elsewhere. New York State government imposes mandates both on local government and job creators, which hamper our communities and prevent the high-paying jobs needed in our state.
Things are not as rosy in New York as the governor would like to project to the national stage. And if there are areas where New York needs improvement, the governor pushes a progressive policy on the problem like a Band-Aid, rather than a holistic cure to root out the underlying causes to low-paying jobs, under-employment, and other issues facing our residents.
Cuomo has placed blame on local governments for high costs, yet fails to address the unfunded mandates that cost everyone entirely too much. He’s also placing blame on Washington, D.C. for policies passed there. As yet, I have not heard from him on how New York, and ultimately, his policies, are failing you.
Through the governor’s tenure, there has been a lack of transparency that has led to scandals, arrests, and trials. He touts staying under a spending cap, yet continues to spend money on his own pet projects. There have been self-serving marketing campaigns paid for with your tax dollars. He has also pushed for reforms that ignore law-abiding citizens in favor of those who break our laws.
The governor always does a good job of speaking about progressive ideals, invoking what he believes people want to hear. But when we see the details, which are mostly outlined in his budget proposal, all we ever see is more spending, more burden, and the forceful use of policy for what should be a fiscal tool.
I will reserve too harsh of judgement until I see his budget proposal in a few weeks. I feel, however, that the State of the State speech was no more than a rehashing of the governor’s proposals from years’ past, except with a more obvious fervor and zeal for his 2020 presidential aspirations.
Marc W. Butler (R,C,I–Newport) is a New York State Assemblyman for the 118th District, which encompasses parts of Oneida, Herkimer, and St. Lawrence counties, as well as all of Hamilton and Fulton counties. Contact him at butlerm@nyassembly.gov