Stec 'optimistic' about state budget

In my report today on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed 2013-14 budget, I mentioned that both state Sen. Betty Little and Assemblywoman Janet Duprey gave the spending plan good marks. So how is newcomer Dan Stec, the Queensbury Republican who began his first term in the Assembly earlier this month, feeling about it?

According to a statement issued moments ago, Stec is optimistic.

"As a former town supervisor, I am fully aware of the crushing burden unfunded mandates place on our local governments," he said. "The pension payment plan proposed by the Governor would afford our local governments some much-needed financial relief going forward.

"I was also pleased to see government spending and growth kept under 2 percent. While I still need the opportunity to read further into the details of this year's proposed budget, I am confident that our state is heading in the right direction. I look forward to working with Governor Cuomo and my legislative colleagues in the coming weeks to enact another on-time, fiscally responsible budget."