Cuomo’s proposals get state legislator support

ALBANY – State legislators from the Mid-Hudson Valley generally expressed support for Democrat Governor Cuomo’s proposals in his state of the state address.
Long-time Republican Senator John Bonacic said his battle cry for years has been property tax relief.
“The governor is proposing a $1.7 billion property tax relief, so I support any serious proposal for property tax relief but we must ensure that it’s available for all homeowners and small businesses that are struggling,” Bonacic said.
Assemblyman James Skoufis, a Democrat, also liked what he heard.
“I was really thrilled to see in the state of the state and budget presentation today that we are providing real circuit breaker tax relief to middle class homeowners renters so if you need more help to be able to stay in New York and be able to put food on your table, being able to put your kids through college, you are going to get more tax relief help,” Skoufis said.
Republican Assemblyman Peter Lopez said economic policy and education must apply to his expansive region, but he has one concern.
“Five-point-four billion for that (banks) settlement; we didn’t talk about roads and bridges crumbling upstate,” Lopez said.  “That’s a big gap.”
Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor, a Republican, supported Cuomo’s education reforms, counter-terrorism and homeland security efforts.
“What I didn’t agree with him on were some of the economic policies,” Lalor said.  “The governor has set himself up as the central player in the New York State Economy. If you jump through his hoops. If you meet his standards, you will get millions, sometimes billions.  Central planning doesn’t work. The chief executive of a state or company cannot make the economic decisions for a big, diverse state of 19 million people.”
Assembly Members Kevin Cahill, Aileen Gunther, Frank Skartados and Didi Barrett, all Democrats, talked of tax relief and the commitment to preserve farmland.
Democrat Senator David Carlucci supports the governor’s plan to invest $1.3 billion for TZ Bridge toll relief.
Freshman Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, a Republican, said he is “cautiously optimistic” about some of the governor’s proposals including property tax relief and small business tax cuts.