New York state Republicans offered a counter plan to the governor’s proposals on Wednesday in Albany.

Within hours after New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $223 billion budget proposal was presented on Tuesday, the reviews began to pour in. Many, especially those from the Republican side, were filled with criticism.

Assemblyman Joe Giglio, who represents the 148th District that includes Gowanda, said there “was nothing in her budget announcement for Western New York.”

Sen. George Borrello from Sunset Bay voiced his opposition to funding migrants while again harping on the exodus of residents. “New York state is at a crossroads,” he said. “If we are to reverse New York’s downward spiral, we need a major change in priorities.”

There was one response, however, that stood out. It came from Tim Hoefer, chief executive officer and President of the Empire Center for Public Policy: “Gov. Hochul is telling it like it is: New York’s school aid and Medicaid spending are out of line with national norms and raising income taxes again isn’t the answer.”

This is the sort of honest talk New Yorkers — and their state lawmakers — needed to hear. In fact, more restraint will be needed to fix the long-term structural gaps.”If state lawmakers are worried about the costliest-in-the-nation schools not getting enough state aid, they should make good on their decade-overdue promise to give local schools more flexibility so they can operate more efficiently.”Hoefer’s comments carry a bit more weight with this corner. They don’t have the political undertones that fill the views of the highly respected Borrello and Giglio who have served this region very well in recent years.

Though crime and climate change often garner most of the headlines, some of the biggest spending annually goes to public education and health care. This year, as the Empire Center noted, is no different.

Aid to public schools from Albany is increasing 2.4% to $35.3 billion for 731 districts across the state, including 14 of the 18 in this county of 126,000 residents. In addition, a struggling higher education system also is expected to benefit. More than $207 million has been set aside for operations while a staggering $1.2 billion makes up the capital project lines for both the State University of New York and the City University of New York.

Locally, the SUNY building efforts over the last decade have been a double-edged sword. While the facilities are contributing to learning at the campuses in Fredonia and Jamestown Community College, enrollment declines at the locations have led to a look of desolation despite the upgrades and improvements, especially with the Science Center and Houghton Hall project in the north county.

Additionally, the region is still without an answer on a new Brooks-TLC Hospital System that has been targeted for the Fredonia area since at least 2016. More than $70 million has been set aside by the state for the possible project, but still no commitment.

For her part, Hochul announced $35.5 billion for Medicaid, along with targeted and transformational changes to ensure the long-term solvency and sustainability of the program that can be painful for providers. That’s one of the issues Brooks-TLC has faced in running deficits that total more than $50 million during the period of 2018 to 2021.

Brooks-TLC is far from alone on that front. Most upstate systems, including Kaleida Health that wants to add the northern Chautauqua County location to its network affiliates, are facing a losing battle with finances. In 2022, its losses topped more than $200 million as reported by The Buffalo News.

In that aspect, Giglio’s comments resonate. There’s little new for Western New York.

But as state Republicans lament what they consider a population decline across the state, there’s a larger truth looking over the last 15 years — just a couple of years after the last governor from that party in George Pataki. In 2008, New York state was home to 19.2 million residents. In 2023, that number was 19.4 million — more than 2008, but still less than a high of more than 20 million in 2020.

A portion of that loss was due to COVID with thousands leaving downstate in fear of the virus, which thrived on people in tight spaces. It was a fear factor.

Continued upstate exits have become so common that small population losses are often considered victories. Those who remain, however, refuse to have flexibility. They want to maintain their small school districts, tiny villages, insignificant towns and cities that often take pride in their overpriced separate departments that ultimately leads to a high property tax burden.

These residents also shun partnerships and consolidations, especially when it has to do with their turf. It’s something former Gov. Andrew Cuomo consistently highlighted when he was in office.

That’s the “efficiency” Hoefer sought earlier this week. No one else in Albany has that same refrain as the cost of local government keeps pace with inflation. With that being the case, Hochul’s proposal keeps overfunding schools, giving upstaters exactly what they want.

On Wednesday, Republicans touted their platform for this year of “A New Hope For The Empire State.” The plan claims it will rein in out-of-control spending by enacting a spending cap, rejecting tax increases and unfunded mandates, and providing tax relief for all New Yorkers.

It sounds utopian and hard to believe since the same party leaders — especially on a local level — show no restraint when it comes to expenses or efficiencies.

Giglio’s right. There is an overall gain of “nothing” for this region. On the flip side, however, “nothing” is being taken away.

In sports, that is considered a tie. For struggling, shrinking and small-minded governments across the state, it’s a win.

John D’Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.