With over 800,000 New Yorkers out of work, the state facing a sluggish economic recovery and with New Yorkers taxed to the hilt, Governor Paterson today proposed an executive budget that increases taxes and fees by $1 billion. 

            Instead of providing New Yorkers with tax relief, the governor’s budget increases taxes and aggressively cuts education spending across the board without addressing how this will affect local property taxes.  While the governor did propose a ban on unfunded state mandates, he gave little detail on how his plan will save local governments and property taxpayers money. 

            Furthermore, instead of reducing job-killing taxes and protecting Empire Zones, which would continue to create jobs in one of the worst economic climates in the state’s history, the governor again promoted his Excelsior program without providing particulars on how his plan will create jobs.  With the state already facing tough economic times and with the real possibility of more tax and fee increases, I am concerned that the elimination of Empire Zones, which accounted for only 0.45 % of the state budget, will make creating jobs in Upstate New York very difficult.  The state must continue to invest in our economic recovery to create needed jobs for our citizens rather then provide government handouts.

            While I believe that the 2010-11 budget will be more fiscally-prudent than last year’s disaster, that isn’t saying much.  The budget needs to do more to create jobs.  To accomplish this, the state must reduce spending and cut taxes.