State Senator Gustavo Rivera on the 2025-2026 New York State Budget

“Coming into this budget process, we knew it would be challenging with the reckless nature of the federal government and the economic headwinds impacting our State. What I did not anticipate was the Governor’s uncollaborative approach to negotiating this budget. It is both irresponsible and upsetting that the Executive Branch has taken such an adversarial stance with the Legislature despite an acute need to work together as a party and as a State to combat the attacks from Trump and his MAGA agenda."

"I am grateful to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, our entire Democratic Conference and our dedicated staff for advancing the priorities for working families that the Governor’s initial proposal passed over. This was the latest budget in 15 years and a process that continues to fundamentally challenge that constitutional principle that the Executive and Legislature are co-equal branches of government. My colleagues and I are left with such a short time left in session to address critical policy reforms because the Governor was able to hold negotiations over misguided priorities like a mask ban and one time rebate checks."

This year definitively confirmed that the process by which the budget gets negotiated cannot continue. It is in the best interest of our State for the Legislature to take matters into our own hands and pass the Budget Equity Act. This bill puts forth a constitutional amendment to ensure an equitable, transparent budget process that involves the 213 duly elected legislators from across our State. This change would mean that our State would be better able respond to the needs and concerns of all New Yorkers, not just the whims of the Executive.”