Local state legislators critical of Hochul budget proposal

‘The governor’s massive $233 billion plan includes misguided spending priorities that will make New York even less affordable for years to come.’ – State Sen. Rob Ortt

Gov. Kathy Hochul outlined a $223 billion executive budget proposal that has won praise from some organizations in the state while local state legislators say the budget doesn’t rein in state spending.

State Sen. Rob Ortt, N-Tonawanda, is the State Senate Republican leader. He issued this statement:

“Instead of offering a fiscally responsible budget that delivers relief to hardworking families and struggling small businesses, the Governor’s massive $233 billion plan includes misguided spending priorities that will make New York even less affordable for years to come. More potential prison closures, changes in school funding, and a lack of significant investment in upstate roads and bridges is alarming. This budget, while crafted by a Western New York Governor, seems to elevate a New York City driven agenda, while the rest of the state is left to deal with problems created by bad policies from downstate Democrats.

“The Governor’s proposal includes a staggering $2.4 billion in taxpayer money to address the migrant crisis that far-left politicians welcomed to our state. This state shouldn’t spend a single dollar on this issue until we put an end to the sanctuary city policies that created this crisis in New York.

“The Governor’s budget also fails to seriously address the public safety crisis confronting local communities all across our state.  She is proposing to spend millions of tax dollars on a series of  new programs, but completely fails to make the kind of fundamental reforms we need to restore law and order, combat serious crime, and keep our local communities safe and secure.

“As the budget process now moves forward, the Senate Republican Conference will be carefully examining every aspect of the Governor’s proposal, while also pushing for comprehensive, common sense reforms that will make our state safer, stronger and more affordable.”

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher issued this statement: “New York Farm Bureau remains committed to working with Gov. Hochul and the state legislature to invest in agriculture and support common sense laws and regulations that will provide opportunities for the state’s family farms.

“In her State of the State, the governor promises to fight for farmers, especially as they face climate and labor challenges. We appreciate the recognition as these issues weigh heavily on New York agriculture.

“Her full agenda highlights mental health services, investment in dairy processing and milk storage, support for agricultural workforce development and our youth, and increased funding for the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health as well as recognition for the state’s growing aquaculture industry. These are all laudable goals that will support the diversity of the state’s family farms.

“The upcoming executive budget proposal will provide a better view of her funding priorities for these initiatives and all of agriculture. We are hopeful that she will continue to fully fund much needed programs that support environmental conservation, research, and agricultural promotion as well as the expansion of food access programs like Nourish NY and Healthy School Meals for All. Investing in agriculture is an investment for all of New York State.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) issued this response: “It’s that time of the year again. The Majority in Albany is once again desperately trying to clean up its mess by spending money we don’t have on projects we don’t need.

“Lowering the amount our public schools will receive to help teachers and students rebuild after COVID and giving over $2 billion to try to solve the self-inflicted migrant crisis are just more examples of downstate interests trumping the needs of Western New Yorkers. This administration needs to be more fiscally responsible. Families across our state have to create reasonable budgets and live within their means. It’s about time Gov. Hochul and the Majority did the same.”

George Gresham, President, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and Kenneth E. Raske, President, Greater New York Hospital Association, issued this statement:

“In her State of the State address on January 9, Governor Hochul noted that ‘hospitals in New York are struggling financially more than in the rest of the U.S—42% of hospital facilities in New York had an operating deficit in 2021.’ The Governor did not mention that the figure rose to 63% in 2022. The root cause of this crisis is that New York’s Medicaid program funds hospitals 30% less than the actual cost of delivering care.

“Today’s State Budget announcement was an opportunity for the Governor to set a new course. But she did not. It’s no wonder that so many hospitals are in deep financial trouble and critical health indicators are worsening, especially in low-income communities.

“The Executive Branch makes frequent mention of the 7.5% Medicaid rate increase for hospitals in last year’s budget. But that increase—after the rate remained essentially flat for 15 years—was almost completely wiped out by the budget’s hospital cuts (e.g., cuts to the Indigent Care Pool and the 340B drug program). Given these cuts, the effective rate increase was only 1.6%, about one-quarter of the cost increases that hospitals have experienced.

“New York State must end the drastic underfunding of care for Medicaid recipients. 1199SEIU and GNYHA will continue to educate all those willing on the urgent need to increase New York’s Medicaid reimbursement rate for hospitals to 100% of cost over several years and strive for health care justice for all New Yorkers by reducing health care disparities and improving health outcomes for low-income, predominantly Black and Brown communities.

“We will also work with stakeholders to tackle the real cost drivers of New York’s Medicaid program, such as the unsustainable growth rate of managed long-term care.

“We call again on the Governor and the Legislature to join us in achieving those goals.”

New York State Association of Counties President Daniel P. McCoy said this in response to the executive budget: “The state budget proposal unveiled today is a positive step forward that delivers on several county government related priorities.

“First and foremost, there do not appear to be any new unfunded mandates, which have burdened local taxpayers unnecessarily for decades. The budget also appears to finally enable counties to collect revenue that is owed but remains uncollected from vacation rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. This has been a priority for counties to close this loophole and bring parity amongst the industry. We are also encouraged by the Governor’s commitment of $135 million to partner with local governments on strengthening emergency communication systems and infrastructure.

“We also applaud Governor Hochul for her willingness to work with counties over the last several months to develop a workable framework to meet the requirements of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County regarding property tax foreclosures. As we delve into the budget details, we expect that many of our suggestions have been incorporated into her proposal, and we encourage the State Legislature to support its inclusion in the final budget.

 “In terms of the over $1 billion in federal Medicaid funds that are still owed to counties and New York City, we remain committed to working with the Governor and Legislature to find a resolution to this.”

Melinda Person, president of the New York State United Teachers, made this statement: “We share the governor’s ambitious vision for public schools that invests in addressing student mental health, expanding professional opportunities for educators, and enhancing our approach to teaching reading.

“Particularly in fulfilling the state’s promise to fully fund Foundation Aid, the governor has been clear she wants our public schools, colleges, universities and hospitals to be as strong as possible and to position New York as an economic and innovation powerhouse.

“The Foundation Aid formula is how we determine what resources our schools need. We’re concerned that the executive budget proposal includes modifications to the formula to reduce School Aid costs. The critical need to consistently support our students and educators should not vary with the fluctuations in our state tax revenue.

“We know this proposal is just the start of the budget process, and we are happy to work with the governor and Legislature to ensure that the state can continue to completely fund the education opportunities that New York’s students deserve.”

 Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) issued this statement: “With a projected $4.3 billion budget deficit and future deficits on the horizon, it is fiscally irresponsible for the governor to be proposing any increase in spending, especially doubling the $1 billion spent last year on the illegal alien crisis to $1.9 billion.

“It is further frustrating she’s doing so at the cost of our children’s education. New York families should not be paying the penalty for the lack of judgment and foresight of progressive political agendas. It is incumbent on the state to get back to the basics on key infrastructure, education and workforce development investments, while reducing wasteful spending, taxes and business regulations that continue to fuel the outmigration population exodus to other states.”