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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the office of District 37 State Senator George Latimer. March 22, 2016:
Senator George Latimer (D-Westchester) backed the Senate Republican’s One-House Budget Bill last Monday, as part of the process to finalize the NYS 2016-17 Budget, due to close by March 31.
“No budget bill is ever perfect”, Senator Latimer stated “but there were key negotiating points in the Republican bill that made sense to be included in the coming Senate-Assembly negotiations”.
Specifically, Senator Latimer cited the positives in the Republican bill:
* Full restoration of GEA funding to schools
* Rejection of Executive plans to restructure STAR program benefits
* Presence of a proposed middle-class tax cuts for residents
* Increased library funding
* Rejection of Executive Budget transfer of MTA costs to utility ratepayers
* Additional highway repair funds for road repairs (CHIPS)
* Freezes SUNY tuition rates for 2016-17 School Year
* Increases TAP funding to assist college students
* Supports small business tax cuts
“The resolution also referenced a paid Family Leave program, and other important provisions, that I expect will be negotiated in the days ahead”, Latimer said. There were areas where Senator Latimer felt the resolution was deficient: assistance to our local governments through AIM; stronger Foundation aid support to schools; and minimum wage provisions.
“We have too much partisanship in Albany – we’re fighting the next election instead of finding compromise and agreement. I think this was another good time to take a stand for cooperation”, Latimer concluded.