Photo Courtesy of Mike Groll/Office of the Governor
“As I said in my State of the State speech: It’s time for a better, fairer, and more inclusive version of the American Dream. I’m calling it the New York Dream,” Gov. Hochul said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced highlights of the Fiscal Year 2023 Executive Budget.
According to Hochul, the new plan “maintains the governor’s commitment to passing a bold agenda that by rebuilds New York’s healthcare and teacher workforces; provides tax relief to those who need it most; speeds up economic growth and creates good-paying middle-class jobs; strengthens the state’s infrastructure and confronts climate change; secures public safety and protects communities; makes housing more affordable to ensure every New Yorker has a roof over their head; and enacts bold reforms to restore trust in State government.”
Highlights include:
- $10 Billion Plan to Rebuild Healthcare Workforce and Build Healthcare System of the Future
- $31 Billion Plan to Strengthen Teacher Workforce and Invest in Schools
- Provides Tax Relief for Small Businesses and the Middle Class
- Record Five-Year $32.8 Billion DOT Capital Plan Will Leverage Federal Funding to Support Major Infrastructure Projects throughout the State
- $900 Million in Childcare Stabilization Grants Will Cover Operational Costs for 15,000 Childcare Providers Statewide
- $1 Billion to Fund Innovative Small Businesses and Tax Credit for COVID-Related Expenses
- Invests $1.5 Billion in SUNY and CUNY Over Next Five Years and Expands TAP Eligibility
- Includes $4 Billion for Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and $500 Million for Offshore Wind
- Launches a New Five-Year, $25 Billion Comprehensive Housing Plan
- $224 Million to Fund Law Enforcement and Community-Based Gun Violence Initiatives
Hochul also said the new budget takes “significant steps” to address the addiction and opioid crisis. The Executive Budget provides an increase of $402 million (56 percent) in operating and capital support for OASAS to enhance prevention, treatment and recovery programs targeted toward addiction services, residential service opportunities, and primary prevention activities consistent with state opioid settlement agreements; and invests more than $100 million in new resources from the Opioid Stewardship Tax and litigation settlements with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. Of these funds, $113 million will pass through the State to local municipalities, consistent with settlement agreements.
“We have the means to immediately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as embrace this once-in-a-generation opportunity for the future with a historic level of funding that is both socially responsible and fiscally prudent,” Hochul said. “As I said in my State of the State speech: It’s time for a better, fairer, and more inclusive version of the American Dream. I’m calling it the New York Dream. We will make that New York Dream real—and ensure that it can be realized by every single New Yorker.”
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) commented on the inclusion of downstate casino licenses in the 2023 economic plan.
“Today’s Executive Budget released by Gov. Kathy Hochul presents a fiscal path forward for New York State during these difficult times,” Addabbo said. “I believe the inclusion of expediting the three full casino licenses for our downstate region has the potential to bring in $1.5 billion in revenue for the state, additional educational funding and improvements to problem gambling programs. I look forward to continuing to work with the Hochul administration and the Gaming Commission to ensure that gaming in the state expands and advances in a credible, reasonable manner.”
