Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy Host Virtual Budget Forum

ALBANY, NY – Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy on Tuesday hosted a virtual budget forum for residents, community organizations, and advocacy groups of the 46th Senate District and the 109th Assembly District. During the forum, residents and nonprofit representatives had an opportunity to have their voices heard about where and how they think state funds should be allocated in the 2022 New York State Budget. Over 80 residents and community groups attended and voiced the need for state support on a wide range of issues, including disability services and homecare, environmental protection, education, childcare needs, support for local libraries, veterans’ services, and investments in housing and clean water infrastructure.

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “One of the most important parts of my job in the Senate is fighting for a budget that sends state funding right back to taxpayers in our community for essential, everyday services and public infrastructure. I’m glad to host this public forum in partnership with my colleague, Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, to hear directly from community members and organizations about where they feel state funds are needed most. I encourage anyone who hasn’t had a chance to share their views with my office to do so in the coming weeks — your advocacy is important and I look forward to bringing the input we receive back to Albany as we fight to make sure that our upstate and capital region communities get our fair share of resources.”

“Enabling our communities to have a voice in New York’s budgeting process is vital to the work we do as legislators,” said Assemblymember Patricia Fahy. “Hearing directly from our constituents helps inform our work amidst budget negotiations, introduces transparency and openness into the process, and I thank Senator Hinchey for her continued and dedicated partnership in serving all of our constituents and areas we represent.”

Written testimony is still being accepted at hinchey@nysenate.gov and flooda@nyassembly.gov. A video recording of the forum can be found here. 

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