With New York’s state budget now weeks overdue, a Finger Lakes lawmaker is raising concerns that affordability — not spending — should be the central focus of negotiations.
State Sen. Tom O’Mara, a Republican representing the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region, argues that current budget discussions in Albany are centered too heavily on increasing government spending and identifying new revenue sources, rather than addressing the rising cost of living for residents.
In a guest column released this week, O’Mara pointed to a series of national rankings and economic indicators that consistently place New York near or at the bottom in terms of tax climate, affordability, and economic competitiveness.
Among them, he cited the American Legislative Exchange Council’s economic outlook index, which ranks New York last in the nation for the 11th consecutive year, as well as the Tax Foundation’s competitiveness index, where the state has also ranked worst overall for five straight years. WalletHub, he noted, recently placed New York 47th in affordability, citing high taxes, housing costs, and overall cost of living.
O’Mara said those trends should be driving urgency in Albany, but instead, he sees a continued push toward higher spending levels and potential tax increases to support it.
At the core of his argument is a broader critique of state fiscal policy. He contends that persistent outmigration, pressure on small businesses, and rising household costs are all tied to what he describes as excessive taxation, expanding mandates, and regulatory burdens.
He also highlighted concerns raised by business advocates, including the National Federation of Independent Business, which warned that high taxes, workers’ compensation costs, and legal liabilities are making it increasingly difficult for small businesses to survive in New York.
O’Mara is calling for a shift in direction — one that prioritizes tax relief, spending restraint, and regulatory reform — arguing that without structural changes, affordability challenges will continue to worsen.
The column frames the issue in stark terms: whether state leaders are willing to address the root causes of New York’s high cost of living, or continue a fiscal approach that critics say risks driving more residents and businesses out of the state.
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