As New York lawmakers approach final budget negotiations, State Senator Tom O’Mara is raising concerns over what he describes as unsustainable spending increases under Governor Kathy Hochul and the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
In his latest column, O’Mara, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, criticized Hochul’s proposed $252 billion state budget for 2025-26, calling it an “all-Democrat decision” that continues a pattern of excessive spending. He noted that the budget represents a $19 billion increase over last year’s record-high proposal and follows an overall $70 billion increase in state spending since 2019—a 40% jump that, he argues, far outpaces inflation.
O’Mara also pointed to an analysis by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, a Democrat, who warned that New York’s fiscal position is worsening. DiNapoli projected a nearly $28 billion budget deficit by 2028, citing the rapid increase in state spending and the phasing out of federal pandemic aid.
Medicaid, in particular, has been a major driver of spending growth. O’Mara noted that if Hochul’s proposed increases are enacted, Medicaid costs will have risen nearly 60% over the past four budget cycles.
Despite these warnings, O’Mara said he sees little indication that Democrats in Albany will scale back spending. He and his Republican colleagues are advocating for policies that promote fiscal restraint, tax relief, and regulatory reform. He also highlighted the Senate GOP’s “Liberate New York” agenda, which focuses on economic growth, affordability, and reversing the state’s population decline.
With budget negotiations set to begin in earnest, O’Mara pledged to continue pushing for “greater common sense” in New York’s fiscal policies.
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