State Senator Tom O’Mara has criticized Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent State of the State address, accusing the administration of failing to address New York’s growing affordability crisis. O’Mara, who represents the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier, argued that the state’s current policies are driving residents to leave for more affordable states, citing high taxes and escalating costs as key reasons.
In her address, Hochul vowed to make New York “safer, healthier, cleaner, and more affordable.” However, O’Mara contends that the governor’s proposed policies contradict her goals by maintaining or increasing spending on costly programs and mandates. “You can’t promise permanent, long-term tax relief while continuing to spend taxpayer dollars and impose mandates like there’s no tomorrow,” O’Mara said in a column released this week.
O’Mara also highlighted a pattern of fiscal mismanagement, criticizing what he described as an era of “one-party, all-Democrat control” in Albany. He argued that the administration’s focus on large-scale spending initiatives ignores the middle class and exacerbates economic challenges for taxpayers.
As the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, O’Mara pledged to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to scrutinize Hochul’s forthcoming 2025-2026 budget proposal. He emphasized the need for hearings to explore the budget’s potential impact on local governments, businesses, and everyday New Yorkers.
“Senate Republicans will continue to be a voice for lower taxes, less regulation, greater accountability, and affordability,” O’Mara said, calling for a shift toward economic policies that prioritize growth and job creation.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].