Statement from State Senator Gustavo Rivera on the Senate Budget Resolution

“The Senate’s budget resolution once again demonstrates the Majority’s inability to appropriately address those issues most important to New Yorkers, including the DREAM Act and public financing. 

As the Ranker of the Health Committee, I am astonished that the resolution seeks to cut funding for the State’s Health benefit exchange, when New York has been one of the most successful states in the nation at getting people health coverage.  Additionally, I am incredibly concerned about the proposal to include private entities in our healthcare system and the budget proposal's exclusion of both the Basic Health Program, which would provides coverage for low-income New Yorkers below 200% of the federal poverty level, and School-Based Mental Health Clinics from the managed care carve out.  

This budget proposal leaves New Yorkers out in the cold.  I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Democratic Conference to strongly advocate for the inclusion of  progressive principals in our State's budget that reflects the priorities and needs of all our residents, including the working-class and our most vulnerable."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOdqnBdXPz4