Senator Sean Ryan Highlights Wins For Western New York In Senate One-House Budget

The Senate budget rejects the Executive proposal to phase out the use of fossil fuel-powered heating equipment in existing buildings beyond the years 2030 and 2035 for small and large buildings, respectively.

Regarding new buildings, the budget includes language stipulating that a municipality may only issue a permit for new construction if it is an all-electric building by 2025 for new construction under seven stories and in 2028 for new construction of seven stories or more. The Senate also includes an exemption for fossil fuel-powered backup energy systems in new builds, recognizing the importance of backup generators in places like Western New York.

Education Funding
The Senate’s proposal supports the final rollout of fully funded Foundation Aid first delivered during a three-year phase in by the Senate Majority in 2021, ensuring every K-12 school district receives a minimum year-to-year increase of 3%.

The Senate also proposes $44 million for expanding special services aid for CTE to ninth grade and $35 million for BOCES CTE salary increases. Under the Senate’s plan, Library Operating Aid is increased by $7 million with an additional $25 million in Capital Funding.

Universal School Meals for All New York Students
The Senate’s budget plan provides $280 million to support legislation, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey (S.1678A) and co-sponsored by Senator Ryan, to permanently fund free breakfast and lunch for all New York students. Funding universal free school meals in New York would ensure all students are well-nourished, no matter where they live.

SUNY Support
The Senate’s proposal rejects SUNY tuition hikes and increases the maximum family income eligibility for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility from $80,000 to $110,000. The Senate also proposes funding increases for Operating Aid ($151 million), SUNY Capital ($350 million), and SUNY Hospital Debt Service ($68 million).

The Senate budget proposes $100 million to establish the Small Business Development Grants Program and proposes a 400% increase to the Minority and Women-Owned Business Development and Lending Program, increasing the program’s funding to $3 million.

It also includes $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.

The Senate budget also provides $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. This funding supports three Centers at the University at Buffalo: the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences (CBLS), Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics (CMI), and the Center for Advanced Technology in Big Data & Health Sciences (UB CAT).

Expanding Childcare
The Senate budget includes $600 million to expand child care eligibility up to 103% of the State median income level in 2023 and proposes increasing child care eligibility to 129% of the State median income level in 2024. The Senate budget also proposes expanding the Empire State Child Tax Credit to Include Children under the age of four.

Eliminating the Effects of Inflation on the Minimum Wage
The Senate budget proposes raising the minimum wage to account for inflation and then indexing it to inflation going forward. This would ensure that New Yorkers earning a living wage can support their basic needs and the needs of their families.

Supporting Homeowners
The Senate budget restores a proposed full removal of funding for the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) and increases its funding to $40 million. HOPP provides free legal services to prevent homeowners facing mortgage and tax foreclosure from losing their homes.

Improving Access to Healthy Foods
The Senate budget proposes $3 million to support the Double Up Food Bucks Program, which provides New Yorkers who utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with a $1-for-$1 match to buy fresh, New York-grown fruits and vegetables at participating small retail, grocery, and farm direct sites.

Supporting Human Services Agencies
The Senate proposes an 8.5% cost of living adjustment for all workers the New York Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), and Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

Refugee Resettlement and Supporting AAPI
The Senate budget adds $30 million for the Office of New Americans and proposes a record $7 million for the New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program (NYSESRP), reversing a proposed cut in the Executive budget. This funding helps resettlement agencies throughout New York provide essential services such as housing, job training, and childcare, which help speed up refugees’ economic integration and progression to self-sustainability.

The budget also restores $20 million for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) equity budget coalition priorities, and adds an additional $12.25 million for a total of $32.25 million.

The Senate budget increases funding for Zoo, Botanical Garden, and Aquarium (ZBGA) funding to $25 million and restores $10 million for Arts Councils outside of NYC. It also includes $5 million in funding for Alive! Downtowns, a coalition of 13 not-for-profit historic performing arts centers that includes Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo which are all economic, educational and cultural engines serving Upstate New York.

The Senate budget increases Clean Water Infrastructure Funding by $100 million to $600 million and proposes a historic $500 million in funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

The EPF is a critical source of funding for capital projects that protect the environment and fight the Climate Crisis. Funding the EPF helps New York to protect its drinking water, in-state food supply, air, parks and state lands, as well as undertake programs that reduce pollution, support climate change mitigation, and combat invasive species, among other priorities.

The Senate Budget increases Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding by $213 million (approximately 30% per municipality).

The Senate budget also includes a $50 million capital fund for volunteer firehouses and an increased personal income tax credit for volunteer firefighters.