8/12/2019 O'Brien Helps Pass On-Time State Budget

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From the Desk of

New York State Senator Ted OBrienDistr ict 55

MEDIA RELEASEMARCH 31, 2014:

OBRIEN HELPS PASS ON-TIME STATE BUDGETTOUTS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND NEW INVESTMENTS

IN THE ROCHESTER/FINGER LAKES REGION

ALBANY, N.Y.Today, the State Senate passed its 4thstraight on-time budget. Below please find StateSenator Ted OBriens statement:

The 2014-15 state budget provides $1.5 billion in property tax relief. The Upstate property tax burden remainsas the biggest impediment to our economic development efforts. This budget will also boost job creation in our

region, toughen penalties on corrupt politicians, and increase funding for our public schools. However, ourwork to make sure Upstate's voice is heard in Albany is far from done.

While millions of dollars in additional state aid and child care subsidies for Monroe County will help reduce thecost burden on our local governments, we must do more to address unfunded mandates - the biggest driver ofrising property taxes - once and for all. In addition to property tax relief, this budget strengthens our economicdevelopment efforts in three important ways. First, it will stimulate our emerging innovation economy byincreasing funding for our regional centers of excellence, including Data Science of the University of Rochesterand Sustainable Manufacturing at R.I.T. Second it will provide funding for workforce development that willhelp train workers for jobs that our local employers need to fill now. And third, the budget includes increasedfunding for the promotion of tourism in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region - an increasingly importantcomponent of our regional economy.

Finally, we must also take even greater steps toward fighting political corruption, and I am disappointed that theSenate Majority Coalition voted down my amendment to strip the pensions of politicians convicted ofcorruption.

This budget is not perfect by any means, but it does address some important needs of the Rochester and FingerLakes areas. In the coming months, I will continue to stand up for Upstate and fight to make our region an evenbetter place to live and do business in for the hardworking families and small businesses I represent.

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Senator OBrien represents the 55th district in the Senate, which is made up of the eastern half of MonroeCounty and the western half of Ontario County, including much of the city of Rochester.

Media contact:

Jamie RomeoChief of Staffoffice: (585) 218-0034e-mail:romeo@nysenate.gov

mailto:romeo@nysenate.govmailto:romeo@nysenate.govmailto:romeo@nysenate.govmailto:romeo@nysenate.gov