O’Mara Joins Senate and Assembly Republicans

In Raising Alarm Over Budget Process

            Assemblyman Tom O’Mara (R,I,C-Big Flats) today joined his Assembly and Senate Republican colleagues at a press conference in Albany to voice his concern regarding the secrecy and lack of transparency in this year’s budget negotiations.

            “Democrat leaders and Governor Paterson, all from New York City, seem intent on keeping Republican leaders, rank-and-file members, and the public in the dark while they negotiate this year’s state spending plan,” said O’Mara.  “This lack of transparency undermines the reforms passed by the Legislature and weakens the public’s trust in their elected officials.”       

            Assemblyman O’Mara is also concerned that the state spending plan New York City leaders are working on in secret will tax and spend too much and lack the common-sense solutions and tough choices necessary to help the state recover from the current economic crisis.

            “Higher taxes will not get New York out of the current recession.  In fact, it will most likely prolong the problem.  Unfortunately, initial reports of this year’s state spending plan seem to suggest that Democrats are committed to raising taxes and spending at a time when New York families can least afford it,” remarked O’Mara.

            “Now is the time to reform the state’s education, health care and government services and invest more in economic development to save taxpayer dollars, reduce the tax burden and create a more business-friendly environment,” added O’Mara.  

            “Today, I stand side by side with my Republican colleagues from both the Senate and Assembly to condemn the secrecy in which the budget is being negotiated and to voice my concerns over the direction in which this year’s state spending plan seems to be moving,” concluded O’Mara. 

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