I am disappointed with the approval of the state budget, with its almost unfettered tax and fee increases and inexcusable spending increase — a budget passed with the vote of state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D−Howard Beach).
The budget, which even one of its architects, Gov. David Patterson, described as senseless, was developed in secrecy by the Albany troika of Patterson, state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D−Manhattan) and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D−St. Albans) and is anathema to the interests of our state and taxpayers.
While Washington is pumping trillions of dollars into the economy to fight the recession, the state Legislature increased spending by an incredible 9 percent and taxes by a whopping $5.2 billion — this, without any new taxes to bail out the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and reverse the proposed fare hikes and service cuts.
Budget supporters defend its less than prudent response to the economic crisis by arguing it only increases spending by 1 percent when the $6.2 billion in federal stimulus funding is included. But that funding will disappear in two years and, without systematic changes in the budget process, the state will confront greater challenges in the future.
Patterson, Silver, Smith and Addabbo did a disservice to our state.
James Armet
Ozone Park
