![Senator Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_small/public/02-10-15_official_hs_omara-hs-040_0.jpg?itok=gJ9N77KJ)
AGRICULTURE TO EDUCATION TO VETERANS: A NEW STATE BUDGET
Thomas F. O'Mara
April 8, 2015
![](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/800-586-11A_28_0.jpg?itok=gmMJ_drD)
The 2015-2016 New York State budget includes higher state aid to local schools, a stronger commitment to local infrastructure and broadband development, and enhanced assistance to key economic sectors including agriculture.
This budget targets key Upstate industries like agriculture and tourism, helps local schools, and enhances state support for addressing critical Upstate challenges like local roads, bridges, universal broadband and other vital infrastructure.
It also includes a stronger state commitment to delivering effective treatment to our veterans who've returned home from the battlefield and are suffering from the devastating effects of Post-traumatic stress disorder. It's been a personal mission of mine to get behind efforts to provide our military men and women with effective treatment. This year's additional state support will make a difference for many veterans and their families and loved ones in New York State and nationally.
Read more on the details of the new budget Here, Here, and Here -- and my recent weekly column, "Education debate at center of new state budget"
Share this Article or Press Release
Newsroom
Go to Newsroom![Senator O'Mara shares his weekly perspective on issues facing New York State government. Senator O'Mara shares his weekly perspective on issues facing New York State government.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/weeklycolumn-image2_0_26.png?itok=--Uu78n7)
!["The small- and medium-sized business segment of our local economies has been among the hardest hit throughout this COVID-19 response. Many businesses are barely hanging on and simply would not survive a minimum wage increase now," said Senator O'Mara. "The small- and medium-sized business segment of our local economies has been among the hardest hit throughout this COVID-19 response. Many businesses are barely hanging on and simply would not survive a minimum wage increase now," said Senator O'Mara.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/nysflag_0_0.jpg?itok=K9ANoLdm)
![“These ongoing initiatives and investments to assist, encourage and spark the success of New York’s next generation of farmers are critical to help keep our regional and statewide agricultural economies among the strongest and best in the nation,” said Senator O’Mara. “These ongoing initiatives and investments to assist, encourage and spark the success of New York’s next generation of farmers are critical to help keep our regional and statewide agricultural economies among the strongest and best in the nation,” said Senator O’Mara.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/capitolpanorama_0_1_17.jpg?itok=liu1Ow-x)