Skoufis highlights “wins” for Orange County in State Budget proposal

Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) is applauding numerous initiatives introduced in the State Senate’s budget proposal this week that would enhance Orange County communities.

The proposal establishes the chamber’s priorities as it moves on to final negotiations for an enacted state budget in the coming weeks with the Assembly and Governor Hochul.

“This budget is a blueprint of legislative priorities, and my focus remains squarely on Orange County,” Skoufis said. “Ensuring our fair share of school funding, truly universal pre-kindergarten, safe and well-maintained roads, and support for first responders and community resources is of utmost importance to me, because it’s of utmost importance to my district. I am fighting to make life safer, more affordable, and easier for Orange County families.”

Overall, the Senate’s budget plan would increase state spending by around $15.5 billion compared to the current fiscal year.  If adopted, the state budget would be around $258.9 billion.

Key highlights from the Senate’s one-house budget proposal include:

• Fully funding schools with a boost of roughly 3 percent to foundation aid (over the 2 percent proposed by the Governor) as well as reconfiguring the Hudson Valley’s Regional Cost Index to match that of New York City’s, giving Hudson Valley school districts a greater share of statewide education funding.
• Full, final expansion of Universal Pre-K (UPK), Skoufis was instrumental in the effort for UPK expansion outside of NYC and continues to champion its full implementation, believing families shouldn’t have to choose between early childhood education and paying their bills. The Senate’s proposal also increases the per-pupil reimbursement rate for UPK slots to $6,700 from $5,400.
• $100 million in additional funding for the Hudson Valley’s DOT Region. According to DOT’s reporting, 60 percent of Region 8 roads and half its bridges are in “poor” condition. With the Hudson Valley containing the most state roads and bridges of any region in New York, aggressive and sustained investment is vital.
• Middle-class income tax cuts, benefiting 8.3 million New York taxpayers across the state. Cutting rates across five of New York’s nine tax brackets, this tax cut would result in a middle-class tax rate lower than it’s been in 70 years, Skoufis said.
• Retail-to-retail alcohol reform, a bill carried by Skoufis allowing bars and restaurants to buy small quantities of alcohol from local liquor stores in lieu of the mega-distributors they are currently required to exclusively purchase from.
• Expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), allowing for students in post-secondary or transitional programs to receive awards from TAP, a key educational benefit for many of New York’s low-income students.
• $30 million for senior housing projects outside of NYC, as well as a modification to the Governor’s “inflation rebate” proposal, providing checks directly to seniors for the next three years.