2.1% Increase Proposed by Governor Hochul
for most Human Service sectors

January 21, 2025

See Budget Briefing Book here.

ROUGH NOTES from Governor’s Budget speech.

Governor’s executive budget proposal includes a 2.1% proposed increase for human service sectors.   NOTE:  I am researching the details of this proposal to include which sub-sectors are included and whether this is a restricted increase or could be used across the (agency) to address both operations and workforce.  Also see the links provided at bottom of this email.

(Remember:  This is the Governor’s proposal and each year she starts the conversation and the Legislature is the place where additional funds must come from to elevate the total number.)

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Governor’s Speech:

Last week’s State of State Book outlined over 200 policies related to New York families and affordability proposals.

Notes re:  Governor’s Remarks:

A budget tells the story of what we value.

There is great wealth in NYS but also great need.  

Goal to see a path forward for all NYers as they strive to get ahead.

Reflected on sentinel reforms in the past 3 years and since the Governor was elected.

Achieved major progress without raising income taxes over last 3 years however this is not enough.

$262B budget funded by revenue up nearly 8% and doing so responsibly. 

Changes at federal level WILL create new challenges for NYS.  Need for average NYers to advocate.  Governor looking to Congressional delegation to hold DC accountable.  

This budget outlines what NYers expect.

Tax Relief and other proposals:

Budget will make $1B in investment to bring relief to 8.3M NYers

Inflation rebate checks (300/500)

Tripling child tax credit.

$120M to provide free lunch and breakfast.

Tax credit for little ones, inflations refund, middle class tax cut etc = nearly $5,000 in the pockets of needy NYers.

$110M to build new child care facilities and to renovate existing ones in an effort to meet goal of universal child care.

Remove state and local tax reduction caps. (SALT).  Governor wants full repeal of the cap or no deal.

Housing:

Goal: 80,000 new homes through NYC City of Yes over next 15 years

$100M for first time homebuyers

Additional $110M in planning projects (beyond recent investments in previous budgets)

Safety:

NYC Subways – Officers on every overnight train from 9 pm to 5 pm

LED lighting to brighten up

Platform barriers to address fare evaders

Increased Nat Guard presence

Very little detail re:  Invol Commitment in Governor’s address speech

$370M for proven gun violence prevention programs

$13M to establish new crime analysis and joint operations headquarters bringing together 100 local and state policing agencies to coordinate efforts

Climate:

$1B to accelerate NY’s clean energy transition

Children in Schools and MH Pressures:

  1. Cellphones are a major disruption with 95% of students with access to cellphones.

Statewide policy to make classrooms distraction free so kids can focus on things that matter (learning) – must disconnect from bell to bell.   Schools to decide how to implement with exceptions for students with disabilities, who rely on phone for translation, etc.  Every school must establish a policy.

  1. Add 100 new playgrounds, and add 100,000 out of school activities and build on NY SWIMS initiative with additional funds
  2. Modernize state’s outdated Foundation Aid formula.  Update the formula such that vast majority of schools will receive more than they do at present.

Medicaid:

State share is $35B this year. Not sustainable.

MCO Tax will generate 1.6B/annual

$1B in Safety Net hospitals and continue to work on Social Care Networks

FY 2026 Executive Budget Legislation

  1. FY 2026 Executive Budget Legislation

FY 2026 NYS Executive Budget Legislation

Note: The FY 2026 NYS Executive Budget Legislation is provided in PDF format.

FY 2026 Appropriations Bills

FY 2026 Article VII Bills

Summary of Article VII Legislation Required For the Budget

Education, Labor and Family Assistance (ELFA)

Health and Mental Hygiene (HMH)

Public Protection and General Government (PPGG)

Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation (TED)

Revenue (REV)