I am writing to express my concern as a New York State resident about the lack of funding for bottle redemption centers in the state budget. The Division of Budget and Budget Committee failed to allocate funds to increase handling fees or modernize the bottle bill, jeopardizing small business redemption centers. Over 100 centers closed last year, and thousands more jobs could be lost as additional centers are forced to close without legislative action. These closures may lead to more litter, bottles polluting waterways, and waste on public lands. It appears the state government prioritizes subsidizing the Buffalo Bills stadium over supporting small businesses and environmental protection. I urge the New York State Senate and Assembly to reject the proposed budget until funding is added to sustain these critical recycling centers.