Several of the region’s elected state lawmakers have released statements in reaction to Governor Kathy Hochul’s “State of the State” address from Tuesday. Here’s what they are saying:
State Senator Pam Helming:
“While the Governor spoke at length about affordability, she offered few real solutions to rein in spending, lower taxes, or ease the mandates driving up costs for workers, families, seniors, farmers, and small businesses,” Helming said. “The address felt more like a heavily scripted campaign speech than an honest assessment of where our state stands.”
Helming emphasized that New Yorkers are seeking reforms that make the state more affordable, help keep jobs in the region, and support young people in establishing roots while allowing seniors to enjoy retirement.
“Along with my colleagues in the Senate Republican Conference, I’m focused on delivering results that help people stay and succeed in New York,” she added.
Helming encouraged residents to review the Senate Republicans’ comprehensive Save NY plan, which outlines policy proposals aimed at economic relief and state reform. The full plan is available on her website here.
Assemblyman John Lemondes:
Assemblyman John Lemondes (R,C–LaFayette) released a plan aimed at lowering costs and improving affordability for residents of Central New York in response to the “State of the State.”
“Millions of New Yorkers are living a very different reality,” Lemondes said. “Working families are being forced to live paycheck to paycheck, struggling to afford groceries, gas, and child care, and that is simply unacceptable. Affordability has been my top priority in the Assembly, and I will continue to fight for solutions that put money back into residents’ pockets.”
Lemondes’ plan focuses on three key areas:
Combating the Rising Cost of Living
- Inflation Relief & Consumer Assistance Plan: Eliminate state sales tax on dozens of everyday items for two years, including gasoline, personal care products, housekeeping supplies, and prepared foods.
- Mobile Tax Freedom Act: Eliminate state sales, compensating use, and excise taxes on mobile telecommunications services, and authorize local governments to do the same.
Reducing Government Spending and Preventing Future Tax Increases
- State Spending Cap: Limit state spending to the average rate of inflation over the previous three calendar years and increase the maximum capacity of the rainy-day fund.
- Legislative Requirement for Tax Increases: Constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority vote in both the Assembly and Senate to increase, impose, or extend any state tax.
Increasing Child Care Affordability
- Child Care Creation & Expansion Tax Credit: Double the existing state credit from $25 million per year to $50 million per year.
- Child Care Facility Capital Improvement Tax Credit: Establish a new state credit to help child care providers upgrade and improve facilities.
“Our state deserves leaders focused on bringing down the cost of living, and that is exactly what I will continue to fight for as your voice in Albany.”
State Senator Tom O’Mara:
“The Democrat tax-and-spend approach is not working. There is an old saying: if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. We need to stop spending in New York. Albany Democrats have been digging this hole deeper and deeper for the past seven years with out-of-control spending. It is time to put an end to this irrational and irresponsible spending spree. We must stop policies that drive up costs and then turn around and ask hardworking taxpayers to pay even more to cover them.
“New York State is not stronger, safer, saner, or more affordable under Governor Hochul and a State Legislature controlled entirely by Democrats. There is no real turnaround in sight. The governor’s so-called ‘affordability agenda’ is filled with giveaways and new spending commitments that will only make New York an even more expensive place to live, work, do business, raise a family, and pay taxes.
“There will be no relief for the middle class under one-party, all-Democrat control of state government. The Albany Democrats’ bottom line ignores the middle class in favor of a politically driven, far-left agenda that mandates massive new spending. That approach will continue to damage our economy, drive up costs, eliminate jobs and opportunity, and push more New Yorkers and their families out of the state because they simply cannot afford to live here anymore.
Assemblyman Phil Palemsano:
Governor Hochul delivered her annual State of the State address today and outlined her priorities for the upcoming legislative session. I look forward to reviewing more detailed proposals when she presents her Executive Budget next week.“It is no secret that New York is facing not only an affordability crisis, but a quality-of-life crisis as well. We cannot endure another year of bloated spending, high taxes, excessive regulation, and rising energy costs coming out of Albany.
“My Assembly Republican colleagues and I will continue to push back against these policies while advocating for fiscal responsibility and common-sense public safety reforms.
“If Governor Hochul is serious about addressing the affordability, public safety, and quality-of-life challenges facing our state, she must present a budget that is responsible and works for all New Yorkers — not just progressive elites. I urge the governor and legislative leaders to work across the aisle to achieve that goal.”
Assemblyman Brian Manktelow:
“New York continues to outspend nearly every other state, yet families are paying more and receiving less in return. Year after year, Albany adds new programs and long-term costs without addressing the policies that are driving people and businesses out of the state.
Population loss and declining affordability are serious warning signs that cannot be ignored. If we want New York to remain competitive and retain working families, we need fiscally responsible policies — not continued spending with little regard for the families struggling across our state.”
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