GOOD FIRST STEP?

"Today, the Assembly passed a fiscally responsible budget resolution for the State of New York. These are unprecedented times and the reality is that we are in a serious financial crisis. While New Yorkers across the state are making tough financial choices for their families, it would be irresponsible for us in Albany to raise taxes and spend wildly.

"We in the Assembly have done our best to mitigate the cuts, originally proposed by the governor, to health care, education, and municipal aid to the City of New York. Our restorations in these areas will go a long way to ensure that teachers remain in the classroom and police and firefighters are there to respond to emergencies. I am not blind to the pain the cuts that we are making will inflict on hospitals, schools, and institutions of higher learning that serve our neighborhoods. I care about these institutions deeply, but we must accept the realities of this recession.

"I am proud that the Assembly's budget resolution does not rely on accounting tricks, holds fast to core Democratic principles, and honestly reflects our projected revenues. The people of New York do not deserve to have games played with them. Passing a budget that relies on gimmicks and unrealistically high revenue estimates would only mean that we legislators would have to return to Albany to make more cuts later. This does not help anyone--in fact it makes it more difficult for people and institutions, both public and private, to plan responsibly.

"Furthermore, the Assembly's budget resolution does not create any new taxes. This recession has meant that New Yorkers have had to tighten their belts and new taxes would only cause more pain. Just as every family in this state has had to honestly reflect on its finances and learn to live within their means, so does Albany. I believe the Assembly's budget resolution is a good first step in that direction."

For details on the Assembly's budget resolution, please visit: http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/Press/20100324/