Statement from Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend, Tioga County/Big Flats: “Democratic leaders have been unfolding this budget piece by piece, and every part unveiled is revealing more of their misplaced priorities which put our New York families last. Our residents are struggling and are scared. They don’t need policies that will hinder their ability to get back to work once social distancing is done. My colleagues and I offered an amendment to the budget, the Small Business Emergency Recovery Act of 2020, to help small businesses get their doors open and hire New Yorkers as soon as possible after this health crisis is over, but it was rejected by the Assembly Democrats.
“New York is facing a $10 billion loss in revenue this year, but this budget still manages to create more pork-barrel spending for Democratic Leaders and protects the governor’s pet projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars. There will be more budget bills to come, but so far it’s clear that New Yorkers aren’t being prioritized as they should.”
