SC New York News

Albany, N.Y., April 22—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) criticized the final 2024-2025 New York State budget as he called it "the most bloated and wasteful government budget in America." O’Mara, expressing concern over the budget increase and lack of meaningful relief, highlighted the implications for New York taxpayers and the state's economy.

O’Mara emphasized the financial strain on taxpayers, stating, “New York State taxpayers today and long into the future already face trying to afford, and live, and work under the most bloated and wasteful government budget in America." He pointed out the existing challenges in New York, labeling it as one of the highest taxed and least affordable states in the nation and criticized the budget for exacerbating the situation.

The State Senator raised concerns about the budget's allocation, mentioning, "It increases spending and handouts by at least eight billion dollars but fails to address any meaningful tax relief, mandate relief, debt relief, or fundamental priorities in education, health care, local roads and bridges, and so many other areas." O’Mara highlighted the lack of attention to essential sectors despite the substantial increase in spending.

In addressing the financial strategies of the government, O’Mara criticized the approach of Governor Hochul and the Democrat majorities in the Legislature, accusing them of burdening taxpayers through various means. He remarked, "To afford it, Governor Hochul and the Democrat majorities in the Legislature will go on squeezing every penny they possibly can from state and local taxpayers through higher taxes, passing the buck to localities, ignoring badly needed priorities, more borrowing, raiding reserve funds, increasing fees, and every other anti-taxpayer, anti-business, anti-economic opportunity, anti-economic growth, anti-freedom action contained in this new budget and that will be the cornerstone of every future state budget for as long as New York remains under one-party, all-Democrat control."

O’Mara concluded by expressing his concerns about the long-term effects of the budget on various sectors of the state, warning that the current spending trajectory could lead to unsustainable financial practices that would negatively impact taxpayers, families, workers, and businesses across New York.