State Senator George Borrello joins other Senate Republicans in announcing affordability plan (February 13, 2023)

Members of the State Senate Republican Conference have unveiled a proposal for “A More Affordable New York.”

This is one of several initiatives being proposed as part of the conference’s “Rescue New York Agenda.”

The Conference specifically called out several Executive Budget proposals that they say would exacerbate New York State’s lack of affordability, including:
– Eliminating enhanced Medicaid payments to local governments, which they say could lead to increased local property taxes;
– Increasing unemployment insurance taxes on small businesses and farms;
– Further increasing payroll taxes in the MTA region; and
– The use of hundreds of millions of dollars in state money in New York City for new migrants.

The Senate Republican plan includes:
– Eliminating costly unfunded mandates that drive up local property taxes;
– Protecting businesses from unemployment insurance tax hikes by creating an Unemployment Insurance Solvency Reserve Fund and repealing the interest assessment surcharge, which is the assessment on businesses to pay back the UI Trust Fund’s deficit;
– Repealing Congestion Pricing; and
– Providing relief from heating costs geared toward the middle class.

State Senator George Borrello said in a statement that the $7.8 billion unemployment insurance fund debt is hurting small business owners and that the Republican’s, “..plan would correct this injustice and spare employers, and their customers, from added costs by shifting repayment responsibility to the state and creating a reserve fund to guard against future insolvency.”

Farm Bureau President David Fisher and Public Policy Director Jeff Williams said the major issues are based on member approved public policy positions.

Their first priority is asking New York State lawmakers to replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Williams said this has been a big issue for Farm Bureau members who have been saddled with assessment charges on their quarterly contributions to the unemployment insurance fund.

New York State borrowed billions from the federal government during the pandemic to cover increased Unemployment Insurance costs. New York has been the only state that has not begun to make payments on the debt or interest, and instead passing those costs on to employers.

Williams said members are also concerned about efforts to raise the minimum wage once again. Minimum wage increased a dollar an hour at the end of the year for upstate New York and will possibly be raised to $15 by the end of this year. The farm overtime threshold will begin to drop as well next year.

The Farm Bureau is also looking to maintain funding for important animal health, promotion, and research programs along with full funding for the Environmental Protection Fund. Williams said the EPF is responsible for helping farms implement best management practices that include soil health and nutrient management programs that protect land and waterways. He said this also includes efforts to help farms meet the state’s climate goals.

The Bureau is also hopeful the governor’s proposal for a refundable investment tax credit is included in the final budget. They said this will incentivize investment.

Continued funding for the Nourish New York program and legislation allowing for direct-to-consumer shipping for New York produced farm beverages, including beer, cider, and distillates are also on the agenda.