While she says she will be taking the time to study Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal more closely, Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton) said she heard some things from the governor today that coincide with her priorities.

“In the past two years, we have begun to turn a corner in New York State, and certain components of Governor Cuomo’s State Budget proposal announced today—such as his pledge to rein in spending and not to implement any new taxes or fees—will help to continue this trend of fiscal responsibility,” Ritchie said in a statement after Cuomo delivered his budget message.

“The inclusion of $150 million for a third round of Regional Economic Development Council funding will build on the success of this program and help spur the economies in Central and Northern New York,” Ritchie said.

The senator from the 48th District – which includes Ogdensburg and the St. Lawrence County towns of Canton, Gouverneur, Oswegatchie, Waddington, Lisbon, Madrid, Louisville, DeKalb, DePeyster, Hermon, Edwards, Fowler, Rossie, Macomb, Morristown and Hammond, along with Jefferson and Oswego counties – said she was pleased to hear the governor speak about relieving municipalities of the burden of some unfunded mandates.

“Mandate relief has been and continues to be a priority for me, and my Mandate Relief Working Group—made up of local leaders in Central and Northern New York—has already made a few dozen recommendations on how to save money by repealing unfunded mandates.

And Ritchie is interested in the governor’s proposal “to steer more education aid to rural schools like ours. I look forward to studying his proposal with a goal of making the aid formula more equitable and making sure our schools get their fair share.”