It is full steam ahead in Albany as work to complete an on-time state budget is fully underway.
While meeting the April 1 deadline is important, it is even more vital that the final product is fiscally responsible AND meets the needs of families, businesses, and community groups.
The senate budget resolution, which I helped craft, includes a number of key initiatives that will be valuable to our state’s future.
Among the highlights—property tax relief to combat the greatest expense families and business in New York face; education aid that will support our neediest schools; and job creation incentives which will help boost economic development.
One of the highlights of the senate’s plan is a new property tax relief initiative called “Freeze Plus NY.”
The proposal builds on the successful results of the STAR program and New York’s landmark property tax cap by providing $1.4 billion in additional property tax relief over the next two years.
The foundation of “Freeze Plus NY” is an even stronger partnership between the state, school districts, and local governments.
A majority of local leaders are already taking steps to operate in an efficient manner.
This plan rewards them with financial support and mandate relief measures.
The new proposal includes a provision to make the property tax cap permanent, and the tax freeze initiative and related savings would also be locked-in to ensure both short and long-term savings.
“Freeze Plus NY” takes all of the positive benefits of the property tax freeze proposal advanced by the governor, and delivers them in a simplified, streamlined way.
It will be far less complicated to implement and will translate ultimately to more meaningful savings for taxpayers.
Another major portion of the budget, as always, is school aid.
The senate budget boosts school aid by $811.9 million from last year with a $541 million restoration of the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) which has hurt our area schools.
Under this plan, the GEA will be completely eliminated in two years, for a complete restoration of $1.1 billion.
The senate budget also paves the way for a better state economy.
Tax relief for manufacturers and the elimination of the energy tax surcharge will mean savings that can be used to help businesses grow.
The restoration of funding for vital agriculture programs will support our state’s leading industry and create new opportunities for our next generation of farmers.
A blueprint to assist those who seek a college education is also included.
The senate’s plan would help middle-class families afford higher education costs, pay off their student loan debt, and encourage graduates to start a career here at home.
It increases tuition assistance for low and middle income taxpayers, makes more students eligible for TAP, creates a low-interest revolving loan fund, and establishes a new tax credit for graduates who stay and work in New York.
On a related topic, the senate budget specifically rejects the governor’s ill conceived scheme to give free college tuition to prison inmates.
Phone calls and e-mails to my office on this issue have been overwhelmingly opposed to this outlandish idea, and I am in total agreement.
The senate plan also provides for an increase in local highway funding, creates an enhanced flood recovery program, and increases the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) by $43 million for wastewater and sewage treatment capital projects.
Now the senate and assembly will convene conference committees and work together, in concert with the governor, to resolve any differences.
This is a process that has generated positive results over the last three years, and I am confident will once again pave the way to the adoption of a final budget that meets real needs and creates new opportunities, locally and statewide.