The Good, The Bad & The Albany

Earlier this month Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled her first Executive Budget—at one of the most momentous times in our state’s history. The stakes couldn’t be higher.  New York’s economy is in bad shape, violent crime is up, and people are fleeing the state in record numbers. 

The state is also in the third year of a pandemic that continues to place immense pressure on our hospitals, nursing homes, and school districts. Governor Hochul, and my legislative colleagues must rise to the occasion and pass a budget that addresses these pressing issues and many others to ensure New York not only recovers from the pandemic, but is placed on a trajectory that will result in a more affordable, safer and better New York.  

The Governor’s budget includes several positive proposals to attain these goals. With record assistance from the federal government, the state is planning to dedicate an historic amount of funding to fix our deteriorating roads and infrastructure and eradicate potholes. 

The Executive budget also continues to allocate record funding for our schools, providing them the resources they need to navigate the pandemic and provide students with a world-class education. The state education funds also help to avert property tax hikes, helping to hold down Long Island’s exorbitant property taxes. 

To address the high cost of living on Long Island and New York State, the Executive Budget reestablishes the STAR relief checks that were eliminated in the past two budgets and accelerates the middle class tax cuts to provide residents with some needed relief.

The Executive Budget also fully funds the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and establishes a $4 billion environmental bond that would result in a massive investment to protect our environment and drinking water if approved by the voters. 

Sadly, what the Executive Budget fails to include is any meaningful measures to address New York’s crime epidemic. Governor Hochul has missed an opportunity to repeal cashless bail, the same legislation that was pushed into a state budget not that long ago and has caused havoc throughout our communities. 

This omission makes it clear that despite the spike in crime, the war on police and violence throughout the state, Albany’s New York City-centric leadership has no appetite for addressing this serious issue. 

Lastly, while there are several positives in this year’s budget, the majority of them are due to the massive cash influx New York State is getting from the federal government. This funding, must be used smartly to address our numerous woes as it will not be around forever. 

 to take more of our hard-earned money.  At the end of the day, the Executive Budget doesn’t change Albany’s tax and spend culture, renowned for its insatiable appetite for Long Island tax dollars. While fattened with federal funds, my concern is that without systemic changes in Albany, state government will be working on new ways to take more of our hard-earned money. 

Senator Anthony Palumbo

1^st Senate District