Senator Marchione announces Senate passage of 2013-14 State Budget

For Immediate Release: March 27, 2013

Contact: Josh Fitzpatrick, (518) 455-2381; fitzpatr@nysenate.gov 

SENATOR MARCHIONE ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSAGE OF 2013-14 STATE BUDGET

Senate passes on time budget that delivers tax relief for families and small businesses, phases out and eliminates 18-a Energy Tax Surcharge, makes strategic investments in job creation, local schools and roads, Senator Marchione secures funding for continuation and expansion of program helping veterans, and in support of local tourism and regional economic development 

Senator Kathleen A. Marchione (R,C-Halfmoon) today announced the State Senate’s passage of the 2013-14 State Budget and said the on time spending plan is a balanced approach that keeps state government spending growth below two percent, provides targeted tax relief for families and small businesses, increases funding for local schools and invests in job creation. 

“I am proud that my first State Budget passed the Senate on time.  I am prouder still that in the midst of a tough economy, and very trying fiscal circumstances, we delivered a responsible State Budget that controls spending, provides real tax relief for families and small businesses, increases funding for schools, promotes and strengthens our agricultural sector, encourages the hiring of veterans, invests in job creation and successfully closes a $1.3 billion budget deficit,” Senator Marchione said. 

“I was honored to have helped secure funding to continue, and expand, an important program that is helping veterans in Rensselaer and Saratoga counties – the PFC Joseph Dwyer PTSD Peer-to-Peer Veterans Counseling program – along with securing monies that will support local tourism and promote economic development through the Historic Saratoga-Washington on the Hudson Partnership.  These local initiatives will have a positive impact on our community and I was proud to fight and advocate for them throughout the budget process,” Senator Marchione stated.  

Highlights of the 2013-14 State Budget include the following: 

·         Early State Budget, Closes $1.3 Billion Deficit, Controls Spending: Senate passes the 2013-14 State Budget on time and early, closes a $1.3 billion budget deficit and keeps state spending growth below two percent; 

·         Family Tax Relief: Provides a $350 Family Tax Relief Credit to help families with children, extends the lowest tax rates in 60 years on middle class families, providing $707 million in tax relief; 

·         Small Business Tax Relief: Delivers small businesses tax relief to grow jobs and strengthen New York’s economy; 

·         Education Aid Increase: Delivers $1 billion more in state school funding so every child can receive a world-class education; 

·         VLT Funding: Provides $1,827,251 in VLT funding for Saratoga Springs and $609,084 for Saratoga County, for a total of $2,436,335, approximately a 22 percent increase over the amount of VLT funding received last year; 

·         More CHIPS Funding for Safer Local Roads: Increases CHIPS funding by $75 million (21 percent) for a total of $438 million, the first increase in five years to help ensure the safety of local roads; 

·         Phase-Out and Elimination of the 18-a Energy Tax Surcharge: Phases out and eliminates the 18-a Energy Tax Surcharge over three years to provide relief for every business and ratepayer; 

·         Incentives to Hire Veterans and Youths: Provides targeted tax breaks and tax credits for businesses that hire returning military veterans and youths; 

·         Cutting Red Tape for Businesses: Reforms the State’s unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation systems to save businesses almost $1 billion; 

·         Promoting Upstate Tourism and Agriculture: Expands marketing efforts to promote New York grown agricultural products; and 

·         Supporting Community Colleges: Supports local community colleges who will receive a $150 per student state aid increase. 

In addition to her advocacy for an on-time, responsible budget that cuts taxes for middle class families and small businesses, increases funding for education and invests in job creation, Senator Marchione secured funding for the following local community initiatives in the 43^rd Senate District, which includes parts of Rensselaer, Saratoga and Washington Counties, and all of Columbia County: 

·         $370,000 for continuation of the PFC Joseph Dwyer PTSD Peer-to-Peer Veterans Counseling Program in Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties ($185,000 for Rensselaer County and $185,000 for Saratoga County).  Senator Marchione also supported the Program’s expansion into Erie, Nassau, Onondaga, Orange, Putnam and Rockland Counties.  The Dwyer Program provides veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) access to counseling services (free of charge) from fellow veterans who have similar experiences; and 

·         $100,000 for the Historic Saratoga-Washington on the Hudson Partnership to acquire land and build a Regional Visiting Center in the historic Village of Schuylerville.  The Visitor Center will be managed by the Partnership, along with the National Park Service, and serve as a gateway to Northern Hudson/Capital District region to promote historic, cultural and regional tourism, as well as local economic development. 

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