Chamber, Douglas welcome Cuomo's "fiscal responsibility"

Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, says Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed 2012-13 budget is fiscally responsible.

Douglas issued a statement Tuesday applauding Cuomo for putting forth a spending plan that holds the line on total state spending, without new taxes or fees (note: the budget actually increases spending by 2 percent, although the total plan comes in a fraction of a percent lower than last year).

"That's the kind of fiscal restraint and responsibility we need to continue and this budget appears to do just that," Douglas said.

Douglas said Cuomo's budget commits to "meaningful mandate relief" and includes a "common sense approach to public pensions for new employees in the future."

"On the investment side, the commitment to infrastructure that supports the economy is very welcome, especially with the Governor's plans to make these investments in a more coordinated, efficient way than in the past, and to finally leverage the power of public-private partnerships in New York," Douglas said.

Douglas also co-chairs the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, which won $103.2 million in competitive funding last year.