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Assemblyman Walzcyk, concerned about budget gap, launches petition calling for repeal of ‘criminal justice reforms’

Posted 1/9/20

On the heels of the State of the State address, North Country Assemblyman Mark Walczyk, R-Watertown, expressed deep concern about “the lack of clear vision to rein in spending” and close the near …

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Assemblyman Walzcyk, concerned about budget gap, launches petition calling for repeal of ‘criminal justice reforms’

Posted

On the heels of the State of the State address, North Country Assemblyman Mark Walczyk, R-Watertown, expressed deep concern about “the lack of clear vision to rein in spending” and close the near $6 billion state budget gap.

“Last year, the Legislature and governor used policy initiatives to distract themselves from the important task of balancing a budget and reining in spending and now, taxpayers are on the hook to pick up the tab for the overspending that has finally caught up to Albany lawmakers,” said Walczyk. “I implore the Governor and legislative leaders to focus on closing the $6 billion gap in the state budget instead of horse-trading policy initiatives. The state budget should serve as the fiscal blueprint for New York, not a vehicle for controversial laws to be passed in the dead of night with no public input.”

Albany lawmakers have a deadline of April 1 to finalize a state budget.

In addition to his reaction to the State of the State address, Walczyk also announced Wednesday that he’s launched an online petition calling for the full repeal of the so-called criminal justice reforms that were crammed into last year’s state budget.

“This misguided policy is the perfect example of why legislative initiatives should not be included in the state budget. These criminal justice reforms do absolutely nothing to protect the public and do everything to protect criminals,” said Walczyk. “Before lawmakers and the governor work on crafting a state spending plan, their number one priority should be clawing back these so-called ‘reforms.’ I urge all New Yorkers to sign my petition and send a message to Albany that our safety should be put first, not the rights of dangerous criminals.”

To see the petition, click here.