SULLIVAN COUNTY –– Last week New York Governor Kathy Hochul detailed the FY2024 Executive Budget, which totals $227 Billion. 

Highlights of the proposal include: A $1 Billion plan to address New York State’s continuum of mental health care; A pledge not to raise income taxes; Building 800,000 new homes to address the statewide housing shortage; A $337 Million investment aimed at reducing and preventing gun violence; A $5.5 Billion investment to promote energy affordability, reduce emissions, and clean the State’s air and water; $1 Billion in health care investments for capital projects at hospitals and other facilities; $1.3 Billion in economic development investments aimed at creating jobs; $1 Billion investment in health care, shelter, and critical services for Asylum Seekers; a $24 Billion commitment to education that includes $125 Million for Pre-K, and $250 Million for learning loss tutoring.

Full details of the budget can be found on the Governor’s website.

Republicans react

The budget proposed by Hochul, a Democrat, has drawn criticism from peers across the aisle.

“The governor claims she is focused on affordability, yet she doubled-down on her track record of increased spending at a time when a $22 billion deficit is on the horizon – her definition of affordability is starkly different from that of the people I represent in the 51st Senate District,” said NYS Senator Peter Oberaker. 

He added that public safety, education, improved infrastructure, and mental health are all priorities of his and that he will work with the Governor to ensure needs are met in those and other key areas.  

“However, continuing to spend at an unsustainable rate, while hiking taxes and fees, will only drive more people and businesses out of the state.  We need to exercise a level of fiscal restraint,” added Oberaker. “Now the real work begins. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I will be actively questioning state commissioners and other officials during the upcoming budget hearings with an eye toward developing a final budget that is fiscally sound and addresses true needs.”

U.S. Representative Marc Molinaro (NY-19) called for the NYS Legislature to vote down the budget and said as a county executive, he oversaw the development and implementation of over ten “fiscally responsible” budgets. He said if enacted, Hochul’s budget will be “an unmitigated disaster” for New York state, local governments, taxpayers, and underserved communities upstate.

“Most troubling, the Governor’s budget proposal employs a sleight of hand trick to steal tens of millions of dollars in Medicaid funds from the balance sheets of County Governments in New York’s 19th Congressional District,” claims Molinaro. “In essence, the Governor is taking federal dollars reserved for local governments to help our most vulnerable and using them to subsidize a bloated and broken state bureaucracy. These dramatic losses in revenue will force leaders in local government to raise property taxes to sustain programs underserved communities rely on and directly threaten the most fundamental services like fire, police, and emergency medical.”

 Gunther’s thoughts

NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther said as chair of the Assembly’s Mental Health Committee, she was encouraged to hear Hochul highlight the need to focus on livability, affordability and safety. She added that expanding and improving access to clean energy, health care, childcare and housing are key factors if we are to help our families.

“COVID-19 pushed our families further into trauma and the need for services has grown exponentially,” said Gunther, referencing the Governor’s call for a $1 billion investment in mental health access. 

“There are critical workforce shortages in the public mental and behavioral health and substance use disorder systems of care across New York State,” she continued. “There is more work to do in this area as the Governor mentioned. We must make our most vulnerable our top priority and provide them with the resources they need.”

Gunther also stressed the importance of creating opportunities for the benefit and economic prosperity for all New Yorkers including individuals and families “historically left on the economic sidelines.”

“The Governor’s proposed investment into our families continues into her plan for increasing affordable housing, and making sure families have a safe place they can afford,” said Gunther. “ …Housing is more than just an address, it’s a human right.”

Gunther added that the budget proposal would also increase child care assistance by $7.6 billion over four years and grant instant eligibility for families that are already receiving government support, lowering co-pays and providing more support for childcare providers.

Speaking on public safety concerns, Gunther said she was ready to work with the Governor to continue our collaboration among state, local and federal law enforcement to respond to the “unacceptable level of violence.”

“The Governor’s proposal includes $12.8 million to expand community stabilization with the expansion and help of New York State troopers,” said Gunther. “We must also invest in preventative measures. We need root-cause solutions: Real solutions mean investing in high-quality mental health services, youth engagement programs, job programs and violence intervention programs.”

Gunther also said that strengthening bail reform and granting judges more sentencing discretion will help repair the “fractured state” bail reform currently sits.

The Assemblywoman added that as the move past the pandemic continues, expanding mental health care, affordable housing and living wages “needs to be at the forefront” of their efforts. 

“For too long we have overlooked our most vulnerable and at risk,” said Gunther. “I look forward to working with the Governor and my legislative colleagues in the coming weeks as we create a budget that works for all New Yorkers.”