(Long Island, NY) The following is a statement release today by Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,I,C-Glen Head):
“This year’s state budget must accomplish one key goal: moving the middle-class forward. Through responsible spending, meaningful tax relief and smart policy, I am confident we can accomplish that in 2014.
The governor has put forth some beneficial temporary tax-cut measures, but more needs to be done to enact real tax cuts. That is why my Assembly Republican colleagues and I have put forth a bold slate of long-term tax-cut packages which are essential to provide our middle-class families and seniors the income and property tax relief necessary to afford to live on Long Island.
I was pleased to hear the governor address Common Core. Clearly, these standards and their corresponding curriculum have caused more problems than they have solved. We need to provide our children with the quality education necessary to succeed, and that will only happen if Common Core is fixed and our schools receive their fair share of aid. I plan on working diligently this year to ensure both things happen.
Great gains have been made in the budgets of the past three years, and I expect this to continue in 2014. I look forward to working with Gov. Cuomo and my colleagues in the Legislature to provide our residents with a responsible budget that makes sure New York remains the Empire State for our middle-class.”
