by Tony Gray
posted 22 February 2024

QUEENSBURY, NY -- State Senator Dan Stec (R-45th S.D.) panned Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul's handling of the state's surge in illegal aliens. The Queensbury Republican objected to $2.4 billion of state funds being used to support them, noting that $500 million is being pulled from the state's reserve fund.

"This issue has been handled poorly by the governor, New York City [Mayor] Eric Adams and the current presidential administration," Sen. Stec said in a statement.

"I'm particularly concerned by the fact that $500 million of this is coming from the state's reserve fund," continued Stec.

Mayor Adams initally welcomed illegal aliens to NYC, claiming it was inhumane of states on the Southwest border to bus them to his city. The Democrat in Gracie Mansion soon sang a different tune as Governor Greg Abbott (R-Texas) took him at his word and sent more than one hundred-thousand from his state to ours.

Pleas to President Joe Biden from Manhattan for billions in federal aid for the illegals fell on deaf ears so Adams asked Albany for a substantial increase in aid.

Gov. Hochul agreed to bail out the beleagured city and asked state legislators to include an extra $2.4 billion to subsidize illegal aliens in NYC.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) echoed Stec's concern about state taxpayers being burdened by New York City's sanctuary city policies.

"Far Left failed Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul wants to spend taxpayer money that New York doesn't have on failed policies that New Yorkers do not want," Rep. Stefanik said in a statement last week. "Her bloated budget pours $2.4 billion into funding and further incentivizes the illegal immigration crisis."

Stefanik blasted Hochul for her handling of the illegal alien crisis that threatens to bankrupt NYC, calling The Big Apple's sanctuary guarantee a failed policy that Hochul should address head-on.

"Kathy Hochul has once again decided to saddle hardworking New Yorkers with debt while offering zero remedies for the problems that plague them living in her socialist nightmare," the congresswoman declared.

The governor's request for $24 billion in illegal aid funds for NYC in her 2025 budget proposal is almost as much as the state spends for education.

Hochul's 2025 budget appropriates $35 billion for education, according to her official website, which is $825 million more than last year's education budget.

Stefanik and Stec stated the $24 billion sent to NYC for illegals could mean so much to state citizens, noting improvements to state infrastructure or education could be significantly greater.

"This is aid that should be going to legal residents and taxpayers, whether that means tax relief to combat rising costs, assist our struggling nursing homes or economic development initiatives," Stec said.