![]() The bill is coming due sooner, not later. There has been zero restraint on their part despite the warnings from many of us that the bill would come due sooner or later and when it does, it’s going to be yet another hard hit for taxpayers, local economies, and communities in every corner of this state. This year's total budget is larger than the combined budgets of Texas and Florida (each of which has more population than New York State) and it spends more than 1.5 times per capita than California (which is twice the population of New York State). This outrageous growth in spending alone is larger than the entire budgets of 35 states. Following this year’s budget, state spending has increased nearly $60 billion, or approaching 40%, over the last five years. New York State’s budget in 2018, the last year that Republicans held the majority in the state Senate, totaled $170 billion. It’s merely the latest chapter, though, under all-Democrat control when Governor Hochul and the Legislature’s Democrat majorities have carelessly thrown taxpayer dollars to the wind. Remember some of the details: Their final, $230 million state budget this year is the largest-ever state spending plan. ![]() It’s been an alarming, out-of-control, irresponsible spending binge the likes of which we have never seen in this state. As I’ve said many times over the past several years, her tenure has been defined (and will always be defined) as an era when Albany Democrats went ahead and spent the roof off the state Capitol. Now we need to be realistic? Now we need spending restraint? Where has she been? Let’s be clear, it’s been far more than “two years of record spending” under Governor Hochul. “That is not the path that we can continue on,” the governor declared last week, adding that it’s time to “stabilize and be realistic.” That was the word out of Albany last week, that the governor was ordering state agencies to keep spending flat in the coming year because New York, as I’ve noted here in recent weeks, faces mounting state budget deficits of up to $40 billion cumulatively over the next three years. Kathy Hochul has ordered a budget freeze at state agencies.” 9, 2023 - The following lead paragraph in one news story last week speaks volumes about where things have been and where we’re headed in New York government: ”After two years of record spending by her administration, Gov. This week, "A freeze on state spending won't cut it now"ĪLBANY, Oct. Stop back every Monday for Senator O'Mara's latest column. Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key challenges and issues facing the Legislature, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state programs and policies, and more.
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