Republican Lawmakers Unveil Budget Priorities for NY

Republican members of the New York state Assembly have unveiled their priorities for the state budget, focusing on issues GOP lawmakers say are most important to their constituents.

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, of Canandaigua, released his conference’s budget priorities during a news conference held outside the chamber’s entrance Wednesday.

The GOP’s 10-point wish-list includes making the 2-percent property tax permanent, increasing tuition assistance for college students and keeping local government funding intact.

It remains to be seen whether the Assembly’s Democratic majority will take the suggestions to heart.

The suggestions come as lawmakers work to approve a new state budget by an April 1 deadline.

Democrats now control the Assembly, Senate and governor’s office for the first time in a decade, giving them significant control over the state budget process.