6/16/10: Governor's No Borrowing Pledge is a No-Brainer

"Unshackle Upstate has long opposed the inclusion of any new borrowing in this year's budget and we applaud the governor and legislative leaders who have taken a strong position against borrowing. Now that borrowing is off the table, it cannot and should not be replaced with any increase in current taxes and fees or the creation of new ones. With excessive deficit projections for the coming years, New York's families and businesses simply can't afford to shoulder increases in these areas.

While taking a hard line against borrowing is critical to New York's long-term fiscal stability, it's equally important to address exorbitant state spending. What legislative leaders have identified as spending cuts are nothing more than tenuous mechanisms to control spending growth. If our elected are truly committed to reclaiming New York's status as the empire state, this year's budget should be less than the 2009-2010 budget total of $131.8 billion.

Unshackle Upstate has outlined $12 billion in cost savings for New York's 2010-11 budget year. We urge our legislative leaders to enact these savings so the state and its job creators and taxpayers can get back on the track to financial stability.

While November 2 may seem far away, the actions of the entire Legislature on this budget will be remembered by voters across the state."