The newly minted $154 billion New York State budget makes a significant investment in our schools, provides New Yorkers with a statewide minimum wage plan and paid family leave program, implements a $4.2 billion middle-class tax cut, and succeeds in protecting vital programs that will allow more seniors than ever to age in place, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn) said.
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz, Chair of the Aging Committee, worked hard to ensure that more seniors than ever will be able to remain in their homes and communities. The budget achieves his hard-fought goal to update statutory requirements for New York’s Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) and Neighborhood NORCs, and protect and enhance funding for these vital programs. His efforts helped prevent 11 NORC and neighborhood NORC programs statewide from closing, restored more than $950,000 of proposed program cuts and added an additional $700,000 in program funding for a total of $1.65 million.
“Thanks to this funding, thousands of New York’s seniors will receive the services they need to continue to age in place, avoiding unnecessary hospitalization or nursing home placement and a vital part of their homes and communities,” he said.
As part of the State’s continuing effort to combat opioid/heroin abuse, begun while Assemblyman Cymbrowitz chaired the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee, the budget invests $25 million in the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to combat the heroin/opiate crisis, increasing spending to $166 million in FY 2017 (a $51 million increase since FY 2014). Funding will be directed to increase access for prevention, treatment and recovery support services for individuals impacted by heroin, opiate and other substance use disorders.
The budget includes a significant increase in funding for city schools. New York City will receive $9.68 billion in school aid – an increase of $525 million over last year – plus another $28 million in funding for “community schools” that provide mentoring, health care, summer programs and job training services.
“We owe it to our students to provide them with a high-quality education that prepares them for success in the ever-evolving 21st-century economy,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said.
SUNY and CUNY tuition will not be raised for the coming academic year. SUNY will get a $56 million increase in general operating support and employee fringe benefits, and CUNY will receive more than $1.6 billion, including a $29 million increase in general operating support and employee fringe benefits. More than $1 billion will be invested in programs to make college more affordable and encourage students to build their future here, including the Tuition Assistance Program and Get on Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program.
The State Department of Labor projects 927,400 workers in New York City will experience higher pay as a result of the $15 minimum wage, reinvesting an estimated $6.5 billion in the city’s economy. For workers in New York City employed by large businesses (11 or more employees), the minimum wage will rise to $11 at the end of 2016, then another $2 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2018. For workers in New York City employed by small businesses (10 employees or fewer), the minimum wage will rise to $10.50 by the end of 2016, then another $1.50 each year after, reaching $15 on12/31/2019.
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz and his colleagues fought for a comprehensive paid family leave program that ensures that no worker is forced to risk their job to care for a loved one. In New York City, a projected 2,938,595 private sector workers will become eligible for 12 weeks of paid family leave.
The budget delivers important tax cuts for residents with an annual income between $40,000 and $300,000. When fully phased in, the tax cut will save 2,027,063 taxpayers in New York City a total of $1.32 billion, with average savings of $653 a year.
The budget also includes a robust plan to repair New York’s aging roads and bridges as well as a $27 billion investment in the MTA’s capital plan that will provide 1,000 new subway cars, 1,400 new buses and upgrades to tracks, depots and stations.
Counter-terrorism efforts get a $54 million boost in the new spending plan. The money will help expand the presence of law enforcement agencies statewide, buy safety equipment for local law enforcement agencies, and better equip the New York State Police to respond to the ever-present threat of terrorism.
The budget includes appropriations of $300 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, the highest level of funding in the program’s history, and $400 million for the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act. Grants provided through the act will help local governments advance $2 billion in local drinking water and waste water infrastructure investments while creating about 33,000 construction jobs.
“The final budget includes so many of the important issues and policies we have been fighting for to strengthen the quality of life for the hardworking people of my district and throughout New York State,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said.