THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR THE NYS BUDGET

April 16th, 2024

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United  

“The deadline for New York’s Fiscal Year ‘25 spending plan came and went without much consternation, and now two weeks later we have nothing more than ‘parameters of a conceptual agreement’ for a multi-billion-dollar budget.

“To an Albany insider, a late budget crafted behind closed doors is nothing new. But, with a price tag upwards of $235 billion, the average New Yorker deserves answers and to know exactly what their hard-earned tax dollars are spent on.

“In September 2023, 80% of New Yorkers expressed wanting a more affordable place to live, which is why when all is said and done, this year’s enacted budget needs to address affordability, first and foremost. Whether affordable housing, improving affordability for small business owners and industry leaders, or everyday taxpayers – our elected officials in Albany must reject reckless spending and advance relief measures. If they don’t, New York’s lead in our nation’s population decline will only become more staggering.

“The clock is ticking on the completion of this year’s budget negotiations, and we remain committed to advocating for the needs of Upstate families, businesses, and greater communities until it passes.”

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