OPINION: New Yorkers Deserve Real, Lasting Affordability Solutions

Every corner of our state is affected by the affordability crisis, which has only grown more severe in recent years. Inflation and rising costs have put an unprecedented strain on families, making it harder to make ends meet. With the 2025 legislative session [getting going] Assembly Republicans remain committed to advancing practical solutions to ease the financial uncertainty that so many New Yorkers face. A recent Siena Poll showed two-thirds of voters feel the cost of living should be a top priority — and they’re absolutely right. For many people, money simply does not go as far as it once did. The average New York family pays a staggering $266 on groceries every week, contributing to household bills that are 24 percent higher than the national average. New York ranks the seventh-most expensive state in the nation for household costs with the average New York household paying $2,627 per month — totaling $31,528 annually on bills alone. Aside from public polling and financial reports, the state’s staggering outmigration numbers reinforce the significance of our cost-of-living crisis. Since 2020, New York state lost more than 800,000 residents to other states, the largest decline in population share of any state. It’s been painfully obvious for years, the financial pressures caused by high taxes, oppressive prices, housing costs, and utility bills have driven families and businesses to seek more affordable options. Recently, Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled her “Inflation Refund Plan,” proposing to send one-time checks ranging from $300 to $500 per family. Essentially, the plan pays New Yorkers with their own money, returning a sliver of what taxpayers have paid into the system. Although I support giving money back to New Yorkers, this type of gimmick fails to address ongoing financial challenges. It’s worth noting the governor’s “refund” scheme was presented immediately after she imposed a controversial $9 commuter tax on drivers going into New York City. Assembly Republicans have called for comprehensive proposals to tackle affordability. My “Inflation Relief Reduction Act” eliminates the sales tax for two years on purchases of everyday items such as cleaning products, paper goods, takeaway food, and gasoline. Our “A Blueprint for Childcare” Plan creates tax incentives to put more money into the hands of parents and improve access to an increasingly expensive necessity. We have also proposed legislation to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the state’s energy mandates to show the true financial impact on consumers’ utility bills. Over the past five years alone, state spending has surged by an alarming $67 billion, pushing us further from fiscal responsibility. This unchecked spending spree has placed an unbearable burden on New York’s hardworking families. The reality is that when government spending grows unchecked, it leads to a rising cost of living for everyone. Making matters worse, Gov. Hochul recently vetoed a bill that would improve state-spending transparency. At a time when New Yorkers are feeling the weight of rising costs, this veto sends a message that those in power are unwilling to make the government more accountable to the people it serves. To address the affordability crisis, we must take decisive action to find permanent solutions that bring state spending down to sustainable levels, focus on lowering taxes, and make government more transparent. New Yorkers deserve a government responsive to their needs, one that spends within its means, and doesn’t pass the cost of poor financial management onto the taxpayers.   

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William (Will) A. Barclay, 55, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.