LOUDONVILLE — Lawmakers should not expect consumers to lift the economy out of recession, according to a new survey by the Siena Research Institute.

The institute's quarterly survey of consumer confidence showed a continued overall decline in statewide consumer confidence in the final quarter of 2008. Just as importantly, however, respondents generally expressed an unwillingness to consider any major spending for vehicles, homes, home improvement, furniture or computers.

"It’s not a rosy picture. Across every region a majority of consumers are worse off financially today than they were a year ago,” said Don Levy, director of the Siena Research Institute. “With most New Yorkers ready for things to get worse before they get better, few, regardless of incentives and advertisements, are ready to make major purchases.