Senator Cooney Announces Passage Of Senate "One-House Budget"

March 13, 2025

Budget

Senator Cooney: Senate Budget Delivers for Rochester and Monroe County

(ROCHESTER, NY) - Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) today announced the State Senate passed their “one-house” budget proposal, outlining their priorities for the upcoming FY2026 state budget negotiations. Senator Cooney explained that several provisions in the budget resolution would directly impact Rochester and Monroe County.

Senator Cooney said, “I’m proud to have worked with the Senate Majority to pass a one-house budget that delivers for the needs of Rochesterians. From affordable housing and supporting our students, to providing for working families and investing in the future of transportation, this budget proposal takes a holistic approach to delivering for our upstate communities. I’ll keep fighting to get these investments included in the final state budget and continue working to make Rochester, Monroe County and New York State a place people can succeed and thrive.”

Below are some priorities of Senator Cooney that are included in the budget resolution:

Direct Funding to projects across Monroe County:

$25 million for Inner Loop North Redevelopment. On the heels of a recent $100 million investment from the federal government, this new investment from the state will successfully complete the redevelopment of this state roadway and reconnect two urban neighborhoods.

$250K for RTS to study a bus rapid transit corridor on Lake Avenue, which would lead to lower wait times and more frequent routes on one of the busiest RTS routes. This is also in alignment with the ROC Vision Zero plan.

Housing:

$250 million for the Housing Access Voucher Program. Currently, nearly 50% of renters in Monroe County are rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their monthly income on rent. This program would subsidize rent for those most in need and help our families and individuals avoid homelessness.

$75 million for public housing authorities outside of New York City, such as the Rochester Housing Authority.

Inclusion of Senator Cooney’s HOME Act to create a pre-purchase grant program for qualified first time homebuyers, helping to alleviate some of the financial burden and make homeownership attainable for more residents of Monroe County, allowing them to make meaningful investments and build generational wealth for their families. Senator Cooney pushed for the inclusion of this program at a press conference in Greece last fall.

Transportation:

$500K for a high-speed rail corridor study. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Cooney has made high-speed rail a top priority. This funding would help New York examine whether land already owned by the Thruway may be a viable option for a high-speed rail line.

$10 million for a Workforce Transit Equity Fund. Senator Cooney has been pushing for this new fund to connect workers in inner cities to job opportunities in the suburbs, like the Amazon Distribution Center in Gates, NY, outside of Rochester and Micron, whose facility is outside Syracuse in Clay, NY.

15% increase for public transit. This would mean an additional $82 million for upstate New York transit systems like RTS, funds that can be used for more frequent routes and infrastructure upgrades.

Uplifting Working Families:

Working Families Tax Credit. The Senate one-house would strengthen the tax credit by providing up to $1,600 per child. With 50% of Rochester’s children living below the poverty line, Senator Cooney has made it his priority to increase this credit and uplift local families.

Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit. The age of eligibility would be lowered from 25 to 19, allowing more workers to benefit from this tax relief and increase affordability in New York.

$500,000 for the implementation of a Statewide study on the "Benefits Cliff." The Benefits Cliff refers to the point when a small increase in wages or income leads to a net negative to a family or individual due to the losses in public assistance once eligibility has shifted.

Education and Childcare:

Increased foundation aid for school districts, $680 million more than was included in Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget and ensuring at least a 3% increase for all schools.

Child care investments, including an additional $500 million for the Child Care Workforce Stabilization fund to support employees and keep child care centers staffed.

Establish a statewide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, with $7 million in funding.

Increase exposure to high-demand technical career pathways for all students by extending reimbursement to ninth graders for Career Technology Education, a cause Senator Cooney has championed in the Senate since being elected.

Increase student transportation safety and equity for children in Rochester and all Big 5 school districts by allowing for reimbursement for school transportation below the current 1.5-mile limit.

Healthcare:

$1.5 billion in healthcare investments, including:
- $355 million for hospitals.
- $250 million for nursing homes, assisted living programs, and hospice services.

$35 million for the Reproductive Freedom & Equity Grant Program, ensuring access to reproductive healthcare as much of the country moves backwards on reproductive freedoms.