“As
Governor Cuomo recognizes, our number one goal must be to pass a
balanced budget that meets the evolving needs of New York families and
businesses, without raising taxes or fees. In doing so, the IDC will be
advocating for several critical priorities during the budget process.
“To start, our state’s
lowest wage workers deserve a raise. Doing so will put more money in the
pockets of working class families, while stimulating spending and
creating thousands of local jobs. When it comes to filling these new
jobs, we want to make sure that New York’s 10,000 unemployed veterans
from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are at the front of the employment
line. That’s why, as part of the budget, we will push for a tax credit
that rewards business owners who hire one of our country’s bravest men
and women. The unemployment rate for veterans in New York State is twice
that of the general population. That’s an inequity that we simply
cannot tolerate any longer.
“In order to build a better
workforce, we also need to ensure that every bright young New Yorker can
afford a college degree. That’s why we are committed to enacting a
fully funded DREAM Act that will provide all of New York’s smartest and
most ambitious students with access to the tuition assistance that they
need. Our bill ensures that neither state budget constraints, nor a
student’s immigration status, will ever stand in the way of a young
student’s college dream.
“Mandate relief remains a
priority concern for members of the IDC. Throughout the budget process,
we will continue to identify ways that help push the weight of undue
mandates off of New York’s counties, cities, and towns, so that local
governments can lower property taxes while still funding all of their
essential local needs.
“We can and will accomplish
these goals for New Yorkers. The IDC is committed to working on a
bipartisan basis to get these things done and to do so with another
on-time budget.”
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