Majority One-House Budget Resolution: Empowering New Yorkers To Thrive And Building An Equitable Future

Bronx, NY. Senator Luis Sepúlveda and Senate Democratic Majority advanced their one-house budget resolution that provides historic opportunities for working people and families, further strengthens New York’s commitment to fighting climate change, and continues delivering property tax relief for homeowners while supporting relief for renters and tenants. Further, the Senate Democratic Majority calls for the suspension of the state’s taxes on gas to provide needed relief at the pump. The one-house resolution also invests in children from cradle to college, including putting forth a historic investment towards establishing universal childcare and implementing a “New Deal” for SUNY and CUNY.

Senator Luis Sepúlveda and the Senate Majority’s one-house budget resolution also provides the support New York’s caregivers deserve and provides a significant boost to local villages, towns, and cities, as well as the State’s vital infrastructure. The Senate Majority also emphasizes the need for robust investments in mental health services and community violence prevention efforts to keep our communities safe. This one-house resolution, along with partners in the Assembly’s resolution, is a balanced but bold approach to not just getting New Yorkers through the COVID-19 pandemic but ensuring that they and their families can thrive and that we have an economy built upon strong pillars in every part of the state.

INVESTING IN UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE

Senate Democratic Majority is committed to building a brighter future in New York by making transformative investments in our childcare infrastructure. The one-house builds the foundation for universal child care so more working families have access to affordable and quality childcare, including:

• A historic $4.1 billion investment over four years to reform and expand New York’s child care system:
  • $2.2 billion in SFY 2022-23;
  • $3.7 billion in SFY 2023-24 and
  • $4.1 billion in SFY 2024-25 and thereafter.
• Expanding access to subsidized child care statewide for households earning up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level ($138,750 for a family of 4), to be phased in over the next three years for children up to five years of age or until the end of their first year of eligibility for kindergarten.
  • ​​Households with incomes between 300 percent and 500 percent of the federal poverty level would not have co-payments of more than 10 percent of their household income.
• The Senate further proposes to provide workforce stabilization grants to child care providers, and grants for child care infrastructure in both capital funding and assistance with recruitment, training, and retention of child care providers.
• The Senate directs the Child Care Task Force to develop a plan for achieving free universal child care within four years.
• Providing $200 million to support the construction, conversion, and rehabilitation of properties to create and expand access to child care.
• Restoring funding for the following local TANF programs:
  • $5 million in additional support for the Advantage Afterschool program, for a total of $33 million;
  • $5.9 million for the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Demonstration Projects in New York City and Monroe Counties;
  • $4 million for the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Demonstration Projects in Nassau and Suffolk Counties;
  • $2.5 million for the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Demonstration Welfare Projects in the Capital District and Oneida County; and
  • $800,000 for the Welfare to Careers Program.

SUSPENDING THE GAS TAX AND SALES TAX ON GAS

New Yorkers, like Americans across the country, have been faced with skyrocketing gas prices. The Senate Democratic Majority is fighting to keep money in people’s pockets and alleviate the current financial burden of high gas prices. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal will:

• Suspend a portion of the state’s motor fuel and sales taxes on gasoline from May 1 through December 31, 2022 and authorizes a local opt-in to suspend local sales taxes on gasoline sales at local option. The lower prices from suspending these taxes must be passed on to consumers, who will save $648 million.

INVESTING IN NEW YORK STUDENTS FROM THE CRADLE TO COLLEGE

New York teachers and students have endured unprecedented hurdles throughout COVID-19 and the Senate Majority is proposing a groundbreaking funding package that will not only allow schools to properly make up for lost learning time, but will go a long way in shoring up educational discrepancies and leveling the learning playing field. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Providing an additional $250 million from the Executive proposal for Universal Pre-Kindergarten, with a full phase-in over two years, $5 million to hold UPK harmless for enrollment declines due to the pandemic, and $250,000 for Long Island Pre-K Initiative (BOCES).
• Providing an additional $100 million in funding for Community Schools as categorical aid.
• Providing an additional $50 million for Mental Health grants from the Executive Proposal.
• Providing an additional $36 million from the Executive Proposal for Prior-Year Aid Queue.
• Adding $35 million to increase the reimbursement rate for Child Welfare Financing from 62 percent to 65 percent.
• Adding $28.6 million for the State’s share of costs for residential placement by the Committee on Special Education.
• Providing an additional $5 million for Diversity in Teaching, an additional $26 million for Teacher Centers,  $1.2 million for Diversity Review of Library content and $27 million for Library Operating aid.
• Adding $25 million for the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP) and removing the program from the Foster Care Block Grant.
• Providing an additional  $20 million for Transportation Grants for Districts with High Density.
• $20 million for Tax Certiorari Grants and grants for districts with an extraordinary change in taxable property valuation.
• Adding $19 million for BOCES aid.
• Restoring $1.5 million in additional support for the Youth Development Program, for a total of $15.6 million.
• Providing an additional $11.7 million from the Executive Proposal for All Funds increase in State Operations, as well as $1.6 million for SED Translation services and $1.3 million for a Special Education Tuition Rate study.
• Providing an additional $10 million for Special Education Teacher Salaries.
• Providing an additional $5 million for STEM instruction in nonpublic schools.
• $2.2 million for existing Liberty Partnerships Programs, $1.9 million for existing Science and Technology Entry Programs (STEP).
• Adding $5 million for Child Advocacy Centers, for a total of $10.2 million.
• Restoring $2 million for 2-1-1.
• Providing an additional $1.2 million for a Foundation Aid Study to build on previous funding expansion, including an additional $1 million for Curriculum Development.
• Restoring $1.9 million in additional support for the Kinship Care Program, for a total of $2.2 million.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION:

Every New York student deserves access to a high quality, affordable, education. Students and teachers have endured many hardships during the pandemic, and now it is time to move past those challenges, and provide the support New York academics need. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Modifying the Executive recommendation of $10.6 billion as follows:
  • Providing $600,000,000 for the SUNY “New Deal.” The Senate is increasing year-to-year support for SUNY by $600 million, including $153 million for new full-time faculty, $48.8 million to fully close the TAP Gap, restoring pre-pandemic community college funding, increasing adjunct pay, and reducing the cost of fees and tuition for students.
  • Providing an additional $6.6 million for Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC), for a total of $79.2 million.
  • Providing an additional $3.9 million for Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP), for a total of $46.4 million.
  • Provides $2.5 million for Centers for Mental Health Excellence.
  • Provides $300,000 for SUNY Student Government.
•  Modifying the Executive recommendation of $3.2 billion for CUNY as follows:
  • Providing $500 million for the CUNY “New Deal.” The Senate increases year-to-year support for CUNY by $500 million, including $153 million for new full-time faculty, $59.6 million to fully close the TAP Gap, restoring pre-pandemic community college funding, increasing adjunct pay, and reducing the cost of fees and tuition for students.
  • Providing an additional $3.4 million for the Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) opportunity program, for a total of $40.4 million.
  • Providing $2.5 million for Centers for Mental Health Excellence.
  • Providing an additional $165,000 for CUNY LEADS, for a total of $2 million.
• Modifying the Executive recommendation of $30 million as follows by providing an additional $30 million for Green HECap, the design, reconstruction, or equipping of private college facilities that adhere to the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
• Providing $13 million for students with disabilities attending college in New York.
• Modifying the Executive recommendation of $1.8 million by providing an additional $162,000 for the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), for a total of $1.9 million.
  • Providing $4.3 million for existing Higher Education Opportunity Programs (HEOP).
• Providing $1.4 million for existing Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Programs (C-STEP) to improve college learning opportunities.
• Providing $350,000 for the Latino U College Access (LUCA) program.
• Reforming the Tuition Assistance Program by increasing the income threshold from $80,000 to $110,000 and increasing the minimum TAP Award from $500 to $1,000. Additionally, the Senate Majority implements changes in eligibility apply to students attending both public and private colleges and universities.
  • Accepts the Executive proposal to remove the TAP Gap’s three-year phase in plan and fully fund the TAP Gap starting in fiscal year 2022-2023.
  • Accepting  the Executive proposal to expand TAP to part-time students and to students enrolled at a community college in a non-degree apprenticeship program.
• Additionally, the Senate Majority advanced language to require the general fund cover costs associated with SUNY hospital debt service (S.7684) and to phase out the charging of mandatory fees to graduate student workers at SUNY.
   

SUPPORTING NEW YORKERS’ HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH

The pandemic has made the importance of a quality healthcare system that works for all New Yorkers even more evident and that is why the Senate Majority has prioritized making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Modifying the Executive recommendation of $2.2 billion and providing a $22 million increase to support 200 additional inpatient beds.
• Modifying the Executive All Funds recommendation of $2.1 billion by providing an additional $400 million for the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV.
• Providing $1 billion for assistance to financially distressed or safety net hospitals, amongst other criteria, through State operating funds that will be allocated pursuant to a plan approved by the Temporary President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly.
• Providing $773.9 million for the Health Insurance Contingency Reserve.
• Providing an additional $422 million for the reduction of Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit Management fees.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to authorize a fourth round of grants for the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program by creating a carveout of 25 percent for community based organizations, including State University of New York hospitals in the program, and including $400 million for safety net facilities.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to expand the Essential Plan by allowing undocumented immigrants to enroll in the plan (S.1572A).
  • Providing an additional $345 million to expand the Essential Plan to all uninsured individuals under 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level who would otherwise be eligible except for their immigration status.
• Providing $292.4 million for the Health Insurance Reserve Receipts Fund.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to provide a one-time bonus for health care and mental hygiene workers by expanding the list of eligible personnel to include other front line workers in support positions and by addressing the benefits cliff that would have inadvertently made certain workers ineligible for public assistance.
• Providing an additional $277.5 million to eliminate the eligibility requirement for personal and home care.
• Providing $120 million for the Health Care and Mental Hygiene Worker Bonus.
• Providing $67 million to SUNY hospitals for debt service assistance.
• Adding $50 million for Mental Health grants.
• Restoring $41.2 million for “provider prevails” in Medicaid managed care and fee-for-service.
• Providing an additional $34.2 million for Maternal Health Reforms.
• Restoring $13.3 million to support Legislative grants for public health.
• Providing an additional $12.5 million for General Public Health Work.
• Providing $5 million for the Crisis Intervention Demonstration Program.
• Providing $2.5 million for Centers for Mental Health Excellence.
• Providing an additional $1.3 million for Nurses Across New York.
• Providing an additional $1 million for modernizing EMS services.
• Restoring $230,000 for the Utilization Threshold Program.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to increase annual base grant funding for Local Health Departments by increasing fringe benefits and restoring New York City’s General Public Health Work funding.
• Eliminating the $250 million Distressed Hospital Fund Sales Tax Intercept.
• Accepting the Executive proposal to expand services under the Child Health Plus plan, eliminate or lower premiums for certain individuals, and increase coverage for particular populations.
• Advancing language to establish parity for health care services delivered via telehealth and expand the list of telehealth providers (S.5505  and S.6846-A).
• Modifying the Executive proposal to extend various provisions of the Public Health and Social Services Law as follows:
  • Accepting the extension of authority of the Department of Health to issue DSH/IGT Payments for Hospitals outside NYC through March 31, 2025.
• Advancing language to nullify certain provisions which exempted contracts providing health related services from competitive bidding requirements.
• Advancing language to require health insurance policies to cover abortion services. (S.7002)
• Modifying the Executive proposal to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to one year after the end of pregnancy for all, including undocumented individuals (S.1411-A).
• Advancing language to change the Office’s payment methodology from one that funds net deficits, to a payer for service method (S.8313).
• Advanced language to integrate the Office of Addiction Services and Supports and Office of Mental Heath to create one merged behavioral health agency, the Office of Addiction and Mental Health Services (S.5084-C).
• Modifying the Executive proposal to establish a 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline system by modifying reporting metrics and ensuring call centers are established in-house.

SUPPORTING CAREGIVERS AND PROVIDING NEW YORKERS WITH HIGH QUALITY HOME CARE

The exorbitant cost of caregiving was only exacerbated during the pandemic for New York families. The Senate Democratic Majority has prioritized supporting families and healthcare workers throughout this pandemic to ensure New Yorkers are receiving the highest quality of care. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Providing an additional $625 million for Fair Pay for Home Care Workers.
• Providing an additional $277.5 million to eliminate the eligibility requirement for personal and home care.
• Restoring $41.2 million for “provider prevails” in Medicaid managed care and fee-for-service.
• Establishing a caregiver tax credit program capped at $35 million.
• Providing an additional $30 million to support nursing home reforms.
• Advancing language to establish a base wage for home care workers at 150 percent of the regional minimum wage and a regional minimum rate of reimbursement for fiscal intermediaries.
• Providing an additional $2 million for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

BUILDING STATE OF THE ART TRANSPORTATION

New Yorkers deserve safe, reliable systems that get them where they need to go. As we emerge from two years of lockdowns and quarantine, our systems must be able to support a growing influx of people on the move. Rather than simply fix what’s broken, it’s time for groundbreaking transportation developments to take off in New York. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Modifying the Executive recommendation of $4.8 billion as follows:
  • Providing an additional $53.6 million from the Executive Proposal in supplemental support for STOA funding to upstate transit systems to provide a 36.42% increase in funding and achieve parity in funding with downstate transit systems.
  • Providing an additional $20 million for on-demand transit grants for local governments and transit systems to improve transportation in transit deserts and for the purpose of expanding paratransit.
  • Providing $20 million to support expanding the radius for paratransit coverage from fixed route bus services to be at least three miles.
  • Providing an additional $16 million for grants to municipalities to fund DOT project studies. These grants will help municipalities fund initial designs for road and transit projects.
  • Providing $1 million to support the CDTA’s expansion to Montgomery County.
• Additionally modifying the Executive recommendation of $8.47 billion as follows:
  • $2 billion in bonding authority for the DOT core highway program to support bringing roads to a state of good repair within the 5-year Capital Plan.
  • $250 million in additional support for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), for a total of $788.1 million.
  • $50 million in additional support for the Extreme Winter Recovery program, for a total of $150 million.
• Advancing language establishing a hyperloop and high-speed rail commission (S.5607-A).
• Advancing language requiring the radius for paratransit coverage from fixed route services to be at least three miles (S.5092). 
• Advancing language to include resurfacing, maintenance, and pavement recycling in the Complete Streets Law (S.5130).
• Advancing language increasing the State funding match for local projects that use Complete Streets design features (S.3897).
• Advancing language updating the arterial maintenance formula for municipalities (S.3529), and providing $15 million to increase reimbursements to municipalities for arterial maintenance.
• Advancing language to create a clean fuel standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector (S.2962A).
• Advancing language to convert school bus and public transit fleets to zero emission vehicles and allow for expedited procurement to speed up the transition to ZEV buses. It includes a number of workforce-related provisions related to employment status, additional training and planning for bus drivers and mechanics, and agency assistance.

PRIORITIZING ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION

Once in a lifetime weather events are starting to happen more frequently, and it is imperative we take action to reduce and reverse our environmental impact. The Senate has prioritized climate change, environmental justice, energy efficiency, renewable energy, environmental restoration, reducing pollution and has returned New York State to being a national and world leader in all facets of environmental protection. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Modifying the Executive proposal to increase the Environmental Bond Act from $4 billion to $6 billion by adding $2 billion to the Climate Change Mitigation suballocation and provides for the following:
  • $1 billion in new funding for renewable heating and cooling, and weatherization of low-to-moderate income households.
  • $1 billion in new funding for the purchase of electric school and transit buses and the installation costs of bus and passenger car charging infrastructure.
  • Reallocates $400 million from Natural Resources to Climate Change Mitigation for capital grants to communities for climate mitigation projects.
  • Allocates $500 million of Restoration and Flood Risk Reduction funding for climate adaptation projects.
• Carving out $13 million for Senate environmental, climate, and parks priority items within the Environmental Protection Fund.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to amend the Freshwater Wetlands Act by substituting its own language to amend the Freshwater Wetlands Act to eliminate the jurisdictional mapping requirement and to provide for protection of smaller wetlands of unusual importance (S.5116-C).
• Modifying the Executive proposal by providing an additional $30 million for Green HECap, the design, reconstruction, or equipping of private college facilities that adhere to the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to extend the alternative fuels and electric vehicle recharging property credit by extending it for three years instead of five years and including language to report on its effectiveness.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to provide a credit for businesses replacing heating systems to geothermal or biofuels to change the per municipality cap to per business cap.
• Accepting the Executive proposal to extend the clean heating fuel tax credit for three years.
• Accepting the Executive proposal to increase the transfer from real estate taxes to the Environmental Protection Fund from $119.1 million to $257.4 million.
• Adding $1.9 million for environment and parks projects and for the restoration of legislative priority projects.
• Advancing language to double the maximum solar energy system equipment credit from $5,000 to $10,000.
• Advancing language to create a climate disaster and hurricane relief fund as proposed in, (S.8135).

BOOSTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW YORK STATE

The Senate Democratic Majority is committed to providing our communities with the resources to build back stronger from the pandemic. This includes supporting tourism across New York State. The Senate Majority’s one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Adding $200 million for the Small Business Seed Funding Grant Program and amends eligibility requirements for the Small Business Recovery Grant Program.
• Adding $5.5 million in additional support for the Centers of Excellence (COEs), providing $1.25 million to each center, for a total of $17.5 million.
• Allocating $2.5 million for the Cannabis Workforce Initiative to offer training and education in the cannabis industry.
• Adding $2 million in additional support for the Minority and Women-Owned Business Development and Lending Program, for a total of $2.6 million.
• Advancing language amending the Small Business Recovery Grant Program to make it more accessible and expand eligibility.
• Adding $5.2 million in additional support for the Centers for Advanced Technology (CATs), providing $1.25 million to each center, for a total of $18.8 million.
• Restoring $1 million in additional support for the Tourism Promotion Matching Grant program, for a total of $3.5 million.
• Advancing language for the corresponding ConnectALL Executive appropriation to create the Division of Broadband Development within the Department of Economic Development to establish and implement grant programs to support broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas, assist municipalities with broadband projects, and increase adoption and access to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband across the State.
• Providing  $22.5 million to the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations with $20 million to be available for a Climate Jobs Institute to provide job and skills training for jobs in the renewable energy sector and funding will also be available for collaborations that advance an equitable economy and democratic community, integrating scholarly and practical understanding to strengthen civic action.

KEEPING NEW YORKERS IN THEIR HOMES AND COMBATING HOMELESNESS

Providing resources to continue to address the housing issues that the pandemic has heightened in order to avoid homelessness and keep New Yorkers in their homes. The Senate Majority’s one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Modifying the Executive proposal for a new five year Housing Capital Plan of $4.7 billion as follows:
  • Adds $500 million for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), which gives NYCHA access to $1.25 billion.
  • $150 million for the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA), with language to allow funds provided for HONDA to be utilized statewide.
  • Providing an additional $25 million for the Affordable Housing Corporation for a total of $51 million.
• The Senate increases funding for the Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Programs from $18.2 million to $20.8 million. Additionally, the Senate provides carve-out funding for the Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Coalitions of $250,000 for each coalition.
• Restoring $1.6 billion for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) using federal funds. In the absence of reallocated federal funding, the Senate will provide State funds to backfill any shortfalls up to $1 billion.
• Restoring $250 million in Landlord Rental Assistance Program (LRAP) funding, and adds an additional $250 million for LRAP. Additionally, the Senate recommends providing $400 million for utility arrears assistance, which would be allocated through the Department of Public Service (DPS).
• Providing $500 million for the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF).
• Adding $250 million to support the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP).
• Providing an additional $15 million for the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) for a total of $35 million.
• Providing $10 million in additional funding  for programs to provide housing stability aid to those who have been diagnosed with HIV.

• Additionally, the Senate recommends repurposing $85 million in existing capital funding for Accessory Dwelling Units as follows:
  • $45 million for Code Compliance Grants.
  • $40 million for a Community Land Trust Acquisition Fund.

• Adds $25 million for the Affordable Housing Corporation for a total of $51 million.
• Adds $1 million for the Access to Homes program.
• Adds $1 million for the RESTORE program.

DELIVERING TAX RELIEF FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST

The Senate Majority is committed to providing long-needed equity and tax relief for working and middle-class taxpayers. It’s time to start delivering real cuts to those who have been squeezed from both ends, and provide ample credits towards green energy, sustainability, and social opportunities. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Accepting the Executive’s proposal to accelerate the middle-class tax cut currently scheduled to take effect in Tax Year 2025 to Tax Year 2023 instead.
• Modifying the Executive proposal for small business tax cuts by also extending tax cuts to small businesses who pay under the corporate franchise tax (S.29).
• Accepting the Executive proposal to create a tax credit capped at $250 million for small business covid-related expenses.
• Accepting the Executive proposal to create a tax exemption for student loan forgiveness awards.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to extend the New York City musical and theatrical production tax credit by further extending the application deadline for productions to September 30, 2024, and modify the recapture provision so they apply to productions that have recouped their costs.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to extend and enhance the hire-a-vet tax credit for three years by increasing the maximum credit for hiring a disabled veteran to $20,000 and adding language to report on the effectiveness of the program.
• Accepting the Executive proposal to extend the film tax credit for three years and to require applicants to file diversity plans.
• Accepting the Executive proposal to extend the New York Youth Jobs Program tax credit for five years.
• Accepting the Executive proposal to extend the Empire State Apprenticeship tax credit for five years.
• Advancing language to establish a caregiver tax credit program capped at $35 million (S.620).
• Advancing language to fully decouple New York’s tax code from the Opportunity Zones program (S.6800).
• Advancing language to create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for geothermal energy systems (S.3864).
• Advancing language to expand the earned income tax credit for New York City taxpayers.
• Advancing language to create a new Digital Gaming Media Credit program capped at $20 million.
• Advancing language to increase the earned income tax credit (EITC) from 30 percent of the federal credit to 37.5 percent of the federal credit, phased-in over 4 years.

ASSISTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES

Local governments are facing many challenges as a result of this pandemic and they deserve

adequate funding and support. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Modifying the Executive proposal of $1.1 billion by contributing an additional $300 million in SFY 2022-23 and $300 million in SFY 2023-24 to the Unemployment Insurance Fund in order to help offset employer Unemployment Insurance premiums.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to add $250 million in additional support for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), for a total of $788.1 million.
• Modifying the Executive proposal by adding an additional $210 million to support Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM).
• Adding $2 million in support for the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Legislative Commission.
• Restoring $1 million in support for the Refugee Resettlement Program and providing an additional $7 million for a total of $10 million.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to add $50 million in additional support for the Extreme Winter Recovery program, for a total of $150 million.
• Adding $15 million to increase reimbursements to municipalities for arterial maintenance.
• The Senate modifies the Executive recommendation of $11.9 million for The Division of  Veterans Affairs as follows:
  • Restores $250,000 for the NYS Defenders Association Veterans Defense Program.
  • Restores $220,000 for the NYS Defenders Association Veterans Defense Program Long Island Expansion.
  • Restores $200,000 for the Legal Services of Hudson Valley Veterans and Military Families advocacy Project.
  • Restores $125,000 for the Department of NY Veterans of Foreign Wars of United States, Inc.
  • Adds $1.5 million for legislative initiatives.

PROTECTING NEW YORKERS AND INVESTING IN SAFETY

The Senate Majority Senate Majority one-house budget proposal is taking action to prevent gun violence and make our communities safer by investing in strategies that empower neighborhoods to prevent shootings and shift attitudes by providing alternatives to violence that will make our communities safer. Additionally, the Senate Majority prioritizes supporting crime victims by investing in programming to help survivors and communities recover from violence.  The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Modifying the Executive recommendation of $322 million as follows:
• Adding  $40 million to support community safety and restorative justice grant programs that:
  • Support gun violence prevention programs, gang and crime reduction strategies managed by local governments, and community-based not-for-profit service providers.
  • Support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
  • Support criminal and civil legal services, alternatives to incarceration, community supervision and re-entry initiatives.
• Modifying the gun violence funding to provide $50,000 dedicated funding streams to SNUG Rochester, SNUG Kingston, SNUG New Rochelle, SNUG Middletown and SNUG Queens.
• Adjusts the Executive recommendation related to the Legal Services Assistance Fund (LSAF) appropriation by requesting that the LSAF program be allocated as it has been in previous years.
  • Restoring $1.4 million for Civil or Criminal Legal Services, including legal services for survivors of Domestic Violence or Veterans; and Indigent Parolee Legislative grants.

CONTINUING TO IMPROVE NEW YORK STATE’S JUSTICE SYSTEM

The Senate Majority has made a commitment to reforming New York State’s justice system and the provisions that are included in the one-house budget proposal builds on the historic justice reforms that we previously passed and will ensure that New York State continues to be the progressive leader in the nation. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Modifying the Executive proposal to seal criminal records three years after the expiration of the maximum sentence for misdemeanors and seven years after the expiration of the maximum sentence for felonies.
  • The Senate advances language that would immediately seal records three years after the release from custody on misdemeanor convictions and seven years after the release from custody on felony convictions, as originally proposed in (S.1553-C).
• Providing $250 million for Raise the Age.
• The Senate Majority modifies the Executive proposal that is  related to the Federal Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) appropriation by requesting that the Byrne JAG program be allocated as it has been in previous years.
  • Restores $300,000 for violence, crime and drug prevention and alternatives to incarceration Legislative grants.

• Investing $210 million to raise per hour indigent legal service support in the Assigned Counsel 18-B program.
• Providing $59 million in general fund support to aid in the continued implementation of  Discovery Reform.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to make permanent a provision of law to allow the transfer of funds from the New York County District Attorney to the State for the purposes of funding electronic criminal discovery by extending the provision for one year.

INCREASING BENEFITS FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME

The New York State Senate Majority supports increasing benefits for victims of crime. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Providing an additional $25 million for the Victims of Crime Act grant program, for a total of $175 million.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to expand benefits for victims of hate crimes and other acts of violence by accepting the Executive proposal to raise the monetary cap to $2,500  and continuing to allow coverage of property essential to the “welfare” of the victim.

INVESTING IN DEMOCRACY

The New York Senate Majority is dedicated to removing barriers in the election process and empowering more eligible New Yorkers to exercise their right to vote and participate in democracy. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Modifying the Executive proposal of $20.4 million by adding $5 million to establish the Office of Voting Rights.

• Adding $30 million in additional support for the New York State Campaign Finance Program for matching funds for participating candidates, for a total of $40 million.
• Providing $10 million for assistance to local Boards of Elections for costs including continued implementation and expansion of early voting.

GROWING NEW YORK AGRICULTURE

In order for New York to reach its full sustainable potential, we must continue to invest in our agricultural sector. Farmers and cultivators alike have struggled under the weight COVID-19, and are heavily impacted by economic downturn. Supporting this industry and promoting its success is imperative. The Senate Majority one-house State Budget proposal includes:

• Providing an additional $10 million from the Executive Proposal for BIPOC farming funds.
• Adding $7.3 million for restoration of statewide agricultural programs and other Senate priorities.
• Providing $5 million in additional funding for Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to develop innovative practices to manage climate adaptation and resilience.
• Adding an additional $5 million for meat processing grants.
• Adding $2.5 million for animal shelters.
• Providing $1 million in additional funding for an agricultural research facility in the Hudson Valley.
• Modifying the Executive proposal to transfer the National School Lunch Program from the State Education Department to the Department of Agriculture and Markets by instead advancing language to expand the Farm to School Program to include all foods purchased, making the program more accessible for schools.

To review the full Senate Majority One-house State Budget Resolution, please visit:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/resolutions/2021/r2081