Voicing his support for the governor's 1999-2000 executive budget, Assemblyman Steve Labriola (Massapequa) this week called upon his legislative colleagues to resist efforts to increase spending over the rate of inflation.

"Governor Pataki's budget pronouncement is a blueprint for fiscal restraint," said Labriola. "His plans for enhancing business tax cuts and paying down state debt while continuing our commitments to the environment and public education are just a few ways this budget is good for Long Island families and all New Yorkers."

Labriola explained that this year's executive budget proposal calls for increasing cash expenditures and decreasing the state's historical reliance on bonding, thereby lowering our state's debt for the first time in a generation.

"This bold proposal would literally stop the runaway train that is New York State's infamously increasing debt burden," said Labriola. "I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in resisting attempts to increase spending over and above Governor Pataki's plan, as that would undoubtedly have an adverse effect on our ability to reduce the state's debt in the coming years."

The lawmaker added that the governor's proposed tax relief would return more than $1 billion annually to New York State taxpayers.

"I am particularly enthused by the governor's plan to increase the top tax rate threshold from $40,000 to $50,000 and eventually to $60,000," said Labriola. "This important relief is the very definition of middle-class tax cuts."

Labriola added that the combination of utility tax reductions, bank and insurance tax reductions, the urban jobs tax credit, capital asset exclusion and the qualified emerging technology credit recognizes the importance of attracting entrepreneurs and new businesses to the state as well as retaining the ones we have.

"For too long, New York State overtaxed and over regulated our business community - in essence killing the hen that laid the golden eggs," said Labriola. "The enhanced business tax relief in the governor's plan will help build upon the economic progress we've made in Long Island over the past several years, providing increased jobs and opportunities for all our families."

Labriola added that he was pleased by the governor's continuing commitment to state aid to education, as evidenced by the additional $154 million in new school aid provided for in the executive budget.

"After two years of record increases in state aid to public education, the governor has once again reaffirmed his commitment to funding for our public school systems," said Labriola.

"Overall, what we heard from the governor last week was a plan for bringing state government more in line with the needs of our families by ensuring the resources needed to implement nearly $2 billion in already-approved tax cuts, as well as providing another $1 billion in broad-based tax relief," said Labriola. "The governor's proposed budget is good for Long Island, and will help ensure our state's continued economic progress in the future."