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Gallivan applauds Senate's 2013-14 budget resolution

by jmaloni

Press release

Wed, Mar 13th 2013 08:10 am

Budget plan would create new jobs and ensure fiscal responsibility

Changes to the state's film production tax credit included in spending proposal

The New York State Senate has approved a 2013-14 budget resolution, proposed by the Senate Majority Coalition, that focuses on helping businesses create new jobs, investing additional funds in education and transportation, providing mandate relief to local governments, and restoring proposed cuts to women's health programs as well programs for the developmentally disabled. The budget also includes proposals to implement a 2 percent state spending cap and reform the state's film production tax credit program to level the playing field for upstate.

"The Senate's budget resolution is one that all New Yorkers can be proud of. It's a fiscally responsible spending plan that provides relief from Medicaid's unfunded mandate that is strangling local government budgets, seeks meaningful tax relief and focuses state government's attention on job creation, agricultural growth and private-sector development," Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan said.

"I am particularly excited that this bipartisan resolution recognizes the need to create a level playing field for Western New York and upstate so these regions can compete with bordering states and Canada as viable locations to film and produce motion pictures," he added. "The tiered application of New York's film production tax credit will give the entertainment industry the incentive needed to consider every region of New York state when choosing locations to film."

"The Senate budget resolution is a responsible plan that controls spending, rejects new taxes, makes job creation a priority, and invests additional funds in areas that are critically important to all New Yorkers, including education, health care and transportation," said Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos. "We are working with the governor and Assembly to achieve the earliest budget in 30 years. I'm confident we can get it done and that the final budget will reflect many of the goals we have laid out in our resolution."

Independent Democratic Conference Leader Senator Jeff Klein, D-Bronx/Westchester, said, "This is a smart and balanced budget proposal demonstrating the senate's commitment to job creation, education, and the protection of our state's most vulnerable populations. Today, the Senate recognizes the need to raise our state's minimum wage. By working on a bipartisan basis, we will enact a minimum wage increase that will take effect this year."

The budget resolution includes: the Senate's "Blueprint for Jobs" plan that would allow the 18a energy tax surcharge to expire and cut taxes on small businesses and manufacturers; The Family Tax Relief Act to increase tax relief for middle-class families; the Senate's "Grown in New York" plan to strengthen family farms and the agriculture industry; a school aid increase of $415 million above the governor's budget; restorations to women's health programs that were cut in the governor's budget; property tax rebates for senior citizens; a $100 million increase in CHIPS funding for local road and bridge projects; and relief for counties from increasing Medicaid costs.

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