X

Stec, Walczyk, and Gray decry state spending plan

Posted 1/22/25

Republican North Country state legislators are criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s early budget proposal.

The 2026 New York State executive budget has drawn ire from State Sen. Dan Stec, who …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Stec, Walczyk, and Gray decry state spending plan

Posted

Republican North Country state legislators are criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s early budget proposal.

The 2026 New York State executive budget has drawn ire from State Sen. Dan Stec, who says the “tone deaf” plan follows a trend of  “chronic, massive increase” in state spending and “deprioritizes” the needs of the north country. 

The $252 billion budget tops last year’s spending totals by $13 billion. State Sen. Mark Walczyk reflected that the spending plan exceeds the combined state budgets of both Florida and Texas, both states with populations exceeding that of New York. 

“This year’s proposal only further positions New York for financial disaster,” Stec said.

Assemblyman Scott Gray described the spending growth as “worrisome,” but also lauded some of the budget’s affordability measures, including the free school meal program. Gray noted that while some of the programs will provide financial relief to New Yorkers, the funding of these programs relies on “temporary, unanticipated revenue.”

A budget measure to issue “inflation rebate” checks to state residents also drew criticism from Stec and Walczyk, both of whom described the program as a gimmick, with the latter stating, “taking money out of your right pocket and putting less in your left pocket won't save you a dime.”

The checks will be distributed  to 8.6 million New Yorkers, with $500 earmarked for joint filers making less than $300,000 and $300 for single filers making less than $150,000

Stec proposed that one way to curb spending would be through the strengthening of the northern border, “ending the massive, multi-billion dollar handouts to illegal immigrants.” The budget includes $8 million to increase State Police presence along the border with Canada, according to the Governor’s office.

Walczyk described the proposal as “reckless,” also stating, “If you could spend your way into affordability, New York would be the most affordable state in the union..more borrowing just guarantees the next generation won't be able to afford to pay the tab.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul says her plan will put $5 billion back in the pockets of New Yorkers with a middle-class tax cut, inflation refund and expanded child tax credit.

She says the proposal prioritizes public safety with $370 million in gun violence prevention and new legislation to streamline the discovery process.

She says her plan also tackles the housing crisis with up to $760.5 million for “Pro-Housing Communities,” $100 million to help first-time homebuyers and $1 Billion to New York City’s ‘City of Yes’ Initiatives.

Other initiatives mentioned by the governor include an investment in mental health care, climate initiatives, and school cell phone bans and expanded food programs.