Senator Tom O'Mara, in his weekly column "From the Capitol," discusses the pressing issue of government spending and waste. He highlights concerns over New York State's fiscal policies and reflects on a recent Siena Research Institute survey that shows less than a third of New Yorkers believe the state is heading in the right direction.
"This is the most pessimistic New Yorkers have been about the direction of the state in at least a decade," states the Siena analysis. O'Mara emphasizes that pessimism has grown due to issues like high taxes, overregulation, and population loss driven by unaffordability.
He points out that last April, Governor Kathy Hochul and Democrat majorities passed New York's most expensive budget yet. The budget increased state spending by approximately $70 billion since 2018 when Republicans last held a Senate majority. O'Mara criticizes Albany Democrats for their "misguided" agenda, which he believes has led to irresponsible spending.
Fiscal watchdogs such as the Citizens Budget Commission warn that New York's structural deficit could exceed $16 billion by 2028. O'Mara refers to this year's fiscal plan as "the most bloated and wasteful government budget in America."
The senator looks forward to efforts from the incoming Trump administration aimed at reforming federal overspending through initiatives like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He hopes these efforts will inspire similar actions at state levels.
O'Mara concludes by urging continued vigilance against what he describes as an era of unchecked spending by Albany Democrats. He warns that without intervention, taxpayers will face increased burdens through higher taxes and fees while critical priorities are neglected.
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