(WNY News Now) – Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay expressed strong concerns about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed $252 billion Executive Budget, calling for fiscal restraint and prioritization of affordability for New Yorkers.
New York – Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay issued a critical statement following Gov. Kathy Hochul’s unveiling of a $252 billion Executive Budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Barclay described the budget as fiscally irresponsible, citing a $19 billion increase from last year’s proposal and raising concerns about long-term affordability for New Yorkers.
“New York Democrats should be breaking their runaway spending habits. Instead, they’re breaking the bank,” Barclay stated. He highlighted that the proposal’s $252 billion spending plan could serve as a baseline, with legislative additions likely to push the figure even higher.
Barclay expressed disappointment with what he views as a lack of meaningful measures to address economic challenges in the state. “New Yorkers deserve a state where they can thrive, raise a family, run a business, and put down roots. Unfortunately, this proposal fails to lay the groundwork for the long-term solutions needed to make our state economically stronger,” he said.
The Minority Leader criticized the spending plan for its potential to increase the financial burden on taxpayers, arguing that affordability cannot be achieved by increasing expenditures. “We can’t spend our way into affordability and will never reduce the cost of living by forcing taxpayers to pay more, year after year,” he added.
Barclay’s statement also reflected disappointment in the governor’s recent emphasis on affordability during her State of the State Address. “After hearing the governor’s State of the State Address, I was optimistic that she identified ‘affordability’ as one of her top priorities for 2025. Unfortunately, that optimism lasted exactly one week,” Barclay remarked.
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