Assemblyman John Lemondes (R,C-LaFayette) has released his plan to bring down costs and make life more affordable in Central New York following the governor’s address yesterday. While Governor Hochul described the state of the state as ‘strong’, approximately 731,000 children live below the poverty line, 20% of renter households across 50 counties spend over half of their income on housing and working families are being forced to cut back on everyday essentials due to cost pressures. Lemondes believes this standard of living for New Yorkers is unacceptable and is committed to supporting policies that bring down costs and put money back into residents' pockets.

Combating the Rising Cost of Living

• Inflation Relief & Consumer Assistance Plan: Eliminate sales tax on dozens of everyday items for two years, including (but not limited to) gasoline, personal care products, housekeeping supplies and prepared foods.
• Mobile Tax Freedom Act: Eliminate the state sales, compensating use and excise taxes on mobile telecommunications services. Also, authorize local governments to eliminate their sales and compensating use taxes on mobile telecommunications.

Reducing Government Spending and Preventing Future Tax Increases

• State Spending Cap: Cap state spending to the average rate of inflation of the three previous calendar years and increase the maximum capacity of the rainy-day fund.
• Legislative Requirement for Tax Increases: Constitutional Amendment to require a 2/3 majority vote of both the Assembly and the Senate to increase, impose or extend any state tax.

Increasing Child Care Affordability

• Child Care Creation & Expansion Tax Credit: Double the existing state credit amount from $25 million per year to $50 million per year.
• Child Care Facility Capital Improvement Tax Credit: Create a new state credit to help child care providers enhance and update facilities.

“While Governor Kathy Hochul may believe our state is on the right track, millions of New Yorkers are living a very different reality,” said Lemondes. “Working families are being forced to live paycheck to paycheck, struggling to afford basic necessities like groceries, gas and child care, and that is simply unacceptable. Throughout my time in the state Assembly, affordability has been my top priority. New York should be leading on this issue, not falling behind. Our state deserves leaders who are focused on bringing down the cost of living, and that is exactly what I will continue to fight for as your voice in Albany.”