State Sen. Tom O’Mara criticized spending proposals advanced by Senate and Assembly Democrats as part of the ongoing state budget process.
Legislative leaders approved “one-house budget resolutions” outlining their priorities for negotiations with Gov. Kathy Hochul ahead of the April 1 budget deadline.
O’Mara said the Senate Democratic majority’s plan calls for a nearly $270 billion state budget. That would exceed Hochul’s proposed $262.7 billion budget and current spending levels.
He also said the plan includes nearly $6 billion in additional personal income and corporate taxes.
O’Mara criticized the Legislature’s support for continuing policies under the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, including the proposed Cap-and-Invest program.
He said estimates from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority project the policy could raise household natural gas or heating oil costs by more than $4,100 per year and increase gasoline prices by $2.23 per gallon.
He also said the projections show utility costs for small and medium businesses could rise by 46 percent and trucking costs by more than 60 percent.
O’Mara said higher costs tied to the policies could increase prices for goods and services and place added pressure on businesses, homeowners and taxpayers.
He also raised concerns about state spending levels and called for stronger oversight of programs such as Medicaid to address fraud, waste and abuse.
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