With New York’s annual budget season officially underway, Senator Tom O’Mara is urging residents to pay close attention to the legislative process shaping the state’s 2025-2026 fiscal plan. O’Mara, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee since 2021, expressed alarm over Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed $252 billion budget, which represents a $19 billion increase from last year’s record-breaking budget.
“Governor Hochul and Albany Democrats are addicted to spending. They can’t stop. It’s out of control and it’s shocking,” O’Mara said in his weekly column. He criticized the budget’s escalating costs, warning that it will drive more taxpayers and families out of New York, exacerbate the state’s affordability crisis, and stifle economic growth in already hard-pressed upstate communities.
The budget hearings, conducted by the Senate Finance Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, began this week and will continue through late February. These sessions, featuring testimony from state officials, policy experts, and local representatives, allow lawmakers to critique the governor’s proposal and negotiate a final plan.
O’Mara underscored the importance of public engagement during the hearings. “They are a chance for the public to learn more about what’s being planned by Governor Hochul and legislative leaders for the future direction of New York State,” he said.
The senator also called for fiscal restraint, advocating for tax relief, regulatory reform, and policies to stimulate job creation and economic growth. O’Mara highlighted the Senate Republicans’ “Liberate New York” agenda, which focuses on addressing population loss, increasing affordability, and improving public safety.
This week’s hearings cover a range of issues, including agriculture, energy, environmental conservation, and education. O’Mara plans to use these forums to spotlight what he views as the unsustainable trajectory of state spending, citing New York’s high tax burden, regulatory challenges, and leading position in population loss.
Archived videos of the hearings are available for public viewing on the state Senate’s website. O’Mara encouraged residents to stay informed, adding that public awareness is vital in shaping the state’s future.
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