Most of the policies that delayed the budget discussions for over a month represent only small steps when more comprehensive action was needed. According to Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, actions concerning involuntary commitment, discovery reform, and the statewide mask ban could have been more extensive, and there is hope they will be in the future.
Barclay noted that fiscal measures like a middle-class tax cut, addressing the Unemployment Insurance Fund debt, and expanding the Empire State child credit have long been supported by Minority lawmakers. However, he pointed out concerns about a payroll tax in the MTA region, extending taxes on high earners, and not reconsidering costly climate mandates which raise prices for all New Yorkers. “Our affordability problems are far from over,” he stated.
