OBSERVER picture by Dennis Phillips
Left, John D’Agostino, OBSERVER and The Publish-Journal editor, moderates the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce State Legislative Breakfast with state Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, and state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sundown Bay, who joined the occasion nearly whereas persevering with to work in Albany on approving the 2022-23 state funds.
Bail reform, a lower within the fuel tax and the proposed new stadium for the Buffalo Payments had been just some of the matters native state legislators mentioned throughout the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce State Legislative Breakfast on Friday.
Company state Assemblyman Andy Goodell and state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sundown Bay, joined the occasion on the DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown nearly whereas they continued working in Albany to approve the 2022-23 state funds. The occasion was moderated by John D’Agostino, OBSERVER and The Publish-Journal editor, who requested each state legislators in regards to the funds deal that got here collectively late Thursday.
Goodell stated the spending plan is slightly below $222 billion, which is a major improve in spending when in comparison with the 2020 state funds that tallied $176 billion.
He stated the explanation the state funds has elevated drastically is due to $8 billion in new taxes and the billions the state acquired in federal stimulus funds.
“It’s an enormous, enormous improve in spending,” he stated.
As of 9 a.m. Friday, Borrello stated the state Legislature had handed three of about 10 funds payments. He stated regardless of controlling all elements of New York state authorities, with Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and majorities in each the Meeting and Senate, the Democrats are in dysfunction, which is why the funds settlement is occurring every week after the April 1 deadline. He added that previous to voting on one of many funds payments, legislators solely had 10 minutes to evaluate the proposal.
“They nonetheless can’t appear to get out of their very own manner,” he stated.
Borrello stated, as of Friday morning, there was nothing new in the case of bail reform. He stated bail reform is a coverage subject and it needs to be separated from the funds, but it surely’s the most important concern going through the state. He added there was a dramatic spike in crime all through the state and particularly in New York Metropolis since bail reform was authorised in 2019. Borrello stated a number of state legislative Democrats have spoken out towards bail reform, however when amendments to the laws are proposed, they don’t vote for any of the adjustments.
“The will increase are staggering,” he stated in regards to the hike in crime. “This isn’t Republicans versus Democrats.”
Goodell stated the identical factor happens within the Meeting as nicely. He stated a part of the issue is the “basic mistrust” of police and judges by liberal legislators.
Excellent news within the state funds is a lower within the state fuel tax. Goodell stated there was sturdy bipartisan assist for the income invoice, which included a 16-cent lower within the state’s fuel tax.
One other matter mentioned was the brand new proposed stadium for the Buffalo Payments. Goodell stated the state spending plan features a $600 million subsidy for the one-time capital expense to construct the brand new stadium. When requested if the Payments’ new stadium was one of many points holding up approval of the state funds, he stated “Completely.”
Goodell then mentioned how it’s startling that downstate legislators are hesitant to approve utilizing taxpayer {dollars} to ensure an expert NFL franchise – with a number of advantages like excessive wage gamers that will increase earnings tax revenues – stays within the Buffalo, however will gladly present $420 million in tax credit to the Hollywood movie trade to make films within the Empire State as an alternative of California.
When requested if there may be any pandemic assist within the funds, Goodell stated the income invoice included a number of packages like small enterprise tax reduction, help for farmers in the case of extra time and a toddler care enterprise tax credit score.
Whereas discussing the legalization of leisure marijuana and if there shall be a constructive income impression, Goodell stated there gained’t be a lot of a profit as a result of it will likely be offset by regulation prices. He stated authorized dispensaries with taxes on hashish will solely improve the sale of unlawful black market marijuana, which shall be inexpensive.
“Each state that has legalized leisure marijuana has seen an explosion within the black market,” he stated earlier than joking that he’s not “excessive on legalization.”
When discussing the Inexperienced Vitality Normal, Goodell stated there’s a downside within the state’s coverage between the manufacturing and distribution of electrical energy. He stated to fulfill the state’s promise to promote no extra fossil fuel-burning autos by 2035, the manufacturing of electrical energy would want to double simply to fulfill what can be required to cost battery-operated autos. He added whereas the state is demanding a hike in electrical use, it’s stopping a rise within the manufacturing by limiting pure fuel turbine technology.
“There’s a disconnect between what the state is demanding and what they’re permitting,” he stated.
