Feb 14

Feb 14 With 2020 in the rearview, what to expect in 2021 By Brian Miller

It’s no secret that this year has been a struggle like any other, and on so many different levels. Since March, so much has been made about my health after a long and difficult battle with COVID-19. All I can say to New Yorkers is: I know there have been many inconvenience’s created by this virus, but I truly believe they are worth it if they keep you and those you love healthy and safe. I was very nearly taken away from my loved ones and I am eternally grateful to the nurses, doctors and other medical professionals who got me healthy again and back home. Take what they have to say seriously and consider that minor inconveniences may save lives.

Aside from my own personal struggle with sickness, hundreds-of-thousands are dealing with COVID-19 in our state and tens-of-thousands have died from it; thousands of jobs have been lost; families have lost nearly everything with their main source of income gone; the quality of the education our children are receiving has suffered; businesses have been forced to close their doors for good; state funding sources dried up in an instant and it is long past time that the state Legislature take back the power to approve policies that directly affect our residents.

2020 was bleak, to say the least. Even the normal joys of life that lift our spirits during difficult times have essentially been taken away: birthdays, holidays, graduations, proms and so much more. All of this having been said I believe there is hope – a light at the end of the tunnel. But with that hope there must also be patience and understanding. As at least two different pharmaceutical companies are closing in on the mass production of vaccines for COVID-19 we may finally an end to all of this struggle, but I cannot truly say how long it will be or what that ending will look like.

As far as the vaccines are concerned, at first, there clearly will not be enough for everyone, and not everyone will be willing to take a new vaccine and that is understandable. I know some are concerned about the state mandating that residents receive the vaccine and I want to be clear that my understanding is that is not the case. For those who want the vaccine but may not be able to get it right away: be patient.

For those out of work, I believe the hardest thing to hear right now is “be patient” and the last person you want to hear that from is a politician or elected official. To those who are struggling I will say I will do everything I can to get you and your family the assistance you need, and I believe my colleagues will do the same. I do not consider myself a partisan individual and this is certainly not a partisan issue. We must work together to provide aid to those who need it most.

Even after vaccines are released and they are widely available, life will not return to “normal” as quickly as we hope. The economy will not bounce back in an instant. Again, be patient, but there is something you can do to help. As many of you have done throughout this ordeal, continue to support local small businesses as much as possible to provide a boost to the local economy and to keep money and jobs local.

The most difficult issue the state will face is locating funds to provide much needed, essential services to our residents. This is where understanding will be needed the most. This will not be easy, it will not be pretty, and I do not believe anyone will be happy with funding levels.

Please understand that hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars in tax revenue disappeared in an instant when this pandemic struck and forced the state into a shutdown. Those funds that New York State relies on to provide key programs, keep our roads safe and passable, provide a quality education for our children, keep government up and running and much more are no longer readily available. The challenge now facing the state Legislature and the governor is how to provide our residents with everything they need and how to boost our economy so that we can recover with such a daunting deficit looming.

I have been calling for the state to take a very hard look at areas of wasteful spending in our budget for years. There is no more important time than now for that to be done. I have witnessed partisan agendas forced through the Legislature with reckless abandon and I have seen both sides successfully work together for the good of our state. Now is the time for the latter. Prioritizing the needs of so many in such a trying time will undoubtedly be the most difficult task any members of our state Legislature have ever faced.

In that light, I encourage all of our residents to reach out to me and other elected officials to have their voice hear. Let us know what is hurting you the most. Let us know what you believe will help you the most in your daily life. Please also understand that as hard as we can and must work to turn the tide, we cannot get blood from a stone. This will be difficult, and I believe it will be nearly impossible to pass a budget without cuts to funding levels. In the past the state has made up budget deficits on the backs of the hardworking middle-class with millions in tax increases. I have not supported that in the past, and I will not support it now. I will not pile on to the heavy burden our residents are already facing.

Without a massive bailout from the federal government, the only scenario that seems plausible is that the state will need to reduce spending. At best, funding levels may be flat compared to last year. This is not desirable and will not be easy, but we are facing a tough road ahead. So, again I ask for patience and understanding from our residents. We will do everything we can. To my fellow legislators and our leadership, I ask for common sense, compassion, and togetherness to bring about the best possible solution to the issue we are facing.

Brian Miller is a New York Assemblyperson representing the 101st District

Special thanks to The Genesis Group for facilitating this article. The Genesis Group is a civic organization that unites Business and Community Leaders working to advance regional Economic, Social and Cultural interests, and to foster unity and cooperation in the Mohawk Valley region of Upstate New York.