The Governor’s presentation did not include many specific proposals, but the issues we face as New Yorkers are clear. We have a COVID-19-driven budget deficit facing us, but there are a number of steps we can and should take to rebuild our economy, get people back to work, and ensure that the pocketbooks of hardworking New Yorkers are protected.

“We need to repurpose state incentives that heavily favor large corporations and, instead, provide real and significant relief to our small businesses. As virus restrictions persist in many communities, far too many empty storefronts litter our Main Streets. Our small businesses need assistance and they deserve assistance.

“Additionally, we ought to address the COVID-driven budget shortfall by modestly increasing state income tax rates for people making over $3 million annually. In an effort to mitigate cuts to essential services such as our schools and hospitals, we ought to look to the very wealthy among us – almost all of whom live in New York City – to offer up a small sacrifice in order to protect services that we all rely on.

“The budget also presents an opportunity to pass a large infrastructure bill which will both create good-paying jobs and rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges. I’ve always prioritized bringing back infrastructure dollars and this year will be no exception as I fight for funding to expand Route 17 to three lanes in each direction, repave local roads such as Route 17M and Route 218, and rebuild our community’s bridges.

“As I continue my efforts as Chair of the Investigations Committee to hold the government and its stakeholders accountable, I look forward to working with my colleagues over the next three months of negotiations in order to ensure the forthcoming budget works for the Hudson Valley and we rebuild our state’s economy.”