George Borrello (left) and Andy Goodell

Local leaders reacted to the news of Governor Andrew Cuomo‘s resignation.

Both U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand thanked the women who stepped forward to tell their stories of being sexually harassed, calling them brave.

Schumer said Cuomo’s resignation was the right decision that he has full confidence in Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul to establish a professional and capable administration. Gillibrand added that Hochul is an exceptional public servant and will be an excellent governor.

State Senator George Borrello said that “New Yorkers can breathe a sigh of relief and get back to the important task of recovering from the damage caused by the pandemic and bad policies” from Cuomo. He said leaders won’t forget or forgive “team Cuomo’s behind the scenes attempts to discredit and undermine the reputations of the 11 courageous women who had the courage to come forward.” He added he looks forward to working with Hochul.

Assemblyman Andy Goodell said Cuomo’s decision to resign was the right decision for both the sake of New York and his own sake. He said it spares the residents of the state from enduring a painful and distracting impeachment proceeding.

He ended his statement with saying “Lt. Gov. Hochul has a well-deserved reputation as being extremely hard-working, thoughtful, and compassionate. She thoroughly understands the issues facing upstate New York.”

George Borrello

New York State has a new $212 billion budget after the State Assembly passed measures just before midnight Wednesday. The State Senate had already passed measures early Wednesday morning. State Senator George Borrello said he had to vote no,

“It was an unprecedented 12% increase, $23 billion increase to a record breaking and back breaking $212 billion dollar spending package. Just completely irresponsible.”

Borrello said the budget process was led by downstate progressives pushing a radical agenda, citing the early retirement incentive as an example,

“One of the biggest slaps in the face was the idea that an early retirement incentive which would have been helpful for people across the state and helpful to the state budget was only enacted for state workers in New York City. It was a blatant disregard for the hard working people in Upstate New York that have dedicated their time.”

Borrello criticized the tax increase on the wealthy that is estimated to raise around $5 billion,

“You’re taxing job creators and you’re making it more difficult. You’re taxing businesses that reach down into small business when it comes to the tax and business franchise fee increases that we’re seeing. You’re continuing to look at the unfair way we’re quote, unquote ‘investing in infrastructure.'”

When it came to the increase in foundation aid for schools, Borrello was in favor of that part of the budget, saying it helps eliminate disparities in state aid,

“So this helps correct that a little bit. And it’s certainly going to help our smaller school districts that rely so much on state funding to make their budgets whole.”

On Wednesday night Borrello presented a $254 million spending plan that includes no increase in the property tax rate, while also closing a $4 million budget gap from the current year.

• REVIEW 2019 TENTATIVE BUDGET

Starting Monday, the legislature’s Audit and Control committee will begin holding a week-long series of hearings with various department heads and directors of county government to review and discuss the thousands of line items in the budget.

Legislature Chairman Paul “PJ” Wendel (R-Lakewood) said he’s confident the committee – which is chaired by legisalor Pierre Cagnon (R-Bemus Point) with Chuck Nazzaro (D-Jamestown) as vice chair – will do its part in reviewing all the information and making recommendations to the full legislature.

“I put all the faith in Mr. Chagnon, Mr. Nazzaro, and the rest of the audit and control committee that they are going to sharpen their pencils and look,” Wendel said Wednesday night following the budget presentation. “But I’m very pleased and happy that the county executive has put forth an historic budget that is finally balanced and we’re look or things to get better as the years come along. I’m excited about this budget. I think people and critics are going to criticize it, obviously, but starting out with a $4 million gap and closing that to nothing without having to raise property taxes, I think is huge.”

The committee will first meet with the Department of Public Facilities Monday morning, then move on to reviewing budget items related to planning and economic development in the afternoon.

On Tuesday the committee will review administrative services budget items, which include expenses related to the finance department, county executive and county clerk’s office, the county attorney’s office, the board of elections, along with several others.

Wednesday the committee will review the Health and Human services portion of the budget.

After a day off on Thursday, the committee returns Friday to review the budget for the public safety, including the sheriff’s office and district attorney’s office.

All hearings will begin at 9 a.m. and will run through much of the day into the afternoon. They take place on the third floor of the Gerace Office building in Mayville in Room 331 and are open to the public.

The county legislature has until Dec. 1 to finalize and approve the spending plan for next year.