It’s been a couple of weeks since the official start of the legislative session in Albanyand after the handshakes and welcoming smiles between senators, assembly members and representatives of the State government, the announcement of the governor’s budget proposal, Kathy Hochul for the new fiscal year $227 billionmarked the beginning of what is presumed to be tough negotiations to finally determine how the New York State You will spend your resources.
The state president, who a few weeks ago suffered her first political setback before the Legislature, which blocked the appointment of the judge Hector LaSalle as president of the New York Court of Appeals, presented this Wednesday, February 1, his budget initiative, with an unprecedented investment, $5 billion more than last year.
“We are focused on the areas that will have the greatest impact to improve people’s lives, and we will use the entirety of this bold and ambitious budget to address the needs of all New Yorkers,” he said. The governor from Albany, when talking about state spending, which must be approved by the deadline of the April 1st. “I am committed to doing everything in my power to make the Empire State a more affordable, more livable and safer place for all New Yorkers. We will make bold and transformational investments that lift the spirits of New Yorkers while maintaining a strong fiscal footing in uncertain times.”
The Governor began her spending plan by emphasizing mental health issues that affect thousands of people across the state and announced her plan to invest $1 billion of dollars that guarantee the continuity of medical care, as well as $48 million for hospital treatment and $122 million for outpatient care.
To state workers who earn the minimum wage, he revealed that he will promote an increase initiative in times of crisis.
“That’s why I announced a plan to tie the minimum wage to inflation to give you the purchasing power you’ve lost due to forces beyond your control. So when prices go up, so will wages,” Hochul emphasized.
When it comes to affordable housing, one of the main needs of low- and medium-income New Yorkers, Hochul proposes, as part of his goal to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade, investment in the next budget for $250 million for upgrades and infrastructure improvements, $20 million for planning and technical assistance to support rezoning efforts, $15 million for data collection, $4 million to create a new Office of Housing Planning to assist localities. Also, $39.8 million to reduce the risk of lead exposure in rental properties, $20 million in assistance to landlords for building rehabilitation, and $50 million for the creation of a statewide Homeowner Stabilization Fund.
“Localities that do not meet growth targets or implement an action plan will be considered in noncompliance and will be required to approve proposed housing developments that meet certain affordability criteria within a set time frame.” assured the Governor’s budget document, where there is no mention of a replacement plan for the 421-a tax reduction program that expired last year and that activists have asked not to use anymore because it only helps real estate companies.
In terms of transportation, another of the headaches of the inhabitants of the Big Apple who complain about the cut in service and the constant delays, Hochul talks about disbursing $300 million to the MTA to modernize the subway and an increase in the tax payroll mobility from 0.34% to 0.5%.
About the schools, the budget promoted by the state president indicates that New York City receives $13.100 million in school aid from the State, and $569 million in basic aid, while opening the door for new charter schools. The budget also highlights $24 billion for education, including $125 million for pre-K and $250 million for tutoring Learning.
The great confrontations that are already looming on the horizon also have to do with changes to points of the penal reform, on which the most progressive leaders of the Senate and the Assembly oppose.
The Governor proposes to expand the “judicial discretion” of judgesremoving the rule requiring defendants to be placed on “least restrictive terms” before trial, allowing the return of bail for repeat offenders and dangerous offenders.
On the way in which the crisis of newcomers to the Big Apple seeking asylum can be dealt with financially, that already exceed 42,000, the budget mentions that the State pay only a third of the costs associated with the increasing wave of migration, which would cause “a portion of the costs of the shelter and the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Aid Center to be reimbursed” to the City and health care needs are funded.” It also seeks to allocate more than $1 billion in extraordinary funds.
Other notable points mentioned in the Governor’s budget have to do with not raising income taxes, prohibiting gas connections in new buildings and invest $337 million to reduce and prevent armed violence.
“We will make the largest investment ever in our initiative to end gun-related violence. And communities appreciate this. I’ve heard from many mayors that this is working. The money will go to the most affected communities,” said the Governor, warning that they will continue to share information and track down traffickers to stop the flow of illegal weapons.
Equally Hochul seeks the Legislature to approve the disbursement of $5,500 million to promote energy affordability and clean air and water, $7.6 billion for child care to increase eligibility for 113,000 children, $1 billion in hospital healthcare investments, $1.3 billion in economic development investments to create green jobs.
Highlights of the Governor’s budget for NY
- $227,000 million is the budget proposed by the Governor
- $1 billion in extraordinary investments to help newly arrived immigrants
- $915 million in capital to develop new residential units
- $127 million in annual housing operating costs
- $250 million for infrastructure upgrades and improvements to support local housing growth and development.
- $20 million for planning and technical assistance to support local rezoning efforts and other solutions to fuel growth
- $18 million in capital and $30 million annually to increase operating capacity for inpatient psychiatric treatment
- $60 million in capital and $122 million annually to expand outpatient mental services
- $30 million annually to expand mental health services in schools
- $500 million in multi-year healthcare capital financing
- $100 million to expand Medicaid coverage of preventive health services and access to primary care
