By Patrick Donachie
The budget for New York State’s upcoming fiscal year drew an array of plaudits and criticisms from Queens elected officials, with many approving of the criminal justice reforms enacted while others decried the lack of substantial ethics reform.
The budget passed a week after the original April 1 deadline, with Cuomo calling it a successful negotiation between himself, the state Assembly and Senate.
“The result is a budget that advances the core progressive principles that built New York: investing in the middle class, strengthening the economy and creating opportunity for all,” Cuomo said in a statement.
The budget will increase the state operating funds spending by 2 percent, and will include a $1.1 billion increase in education spending to $25.8 billion. The budget addressed several controversial issues, including a decision to raise the age when most criminal defendants can be tried as an adult to 18 years old; an agreement on 421-a negotiations to give tax breaks to developers to build affordable housing, and a new initiative that makes state and city colleges tuition-free for students in families making under $125,000.
The budget was originally expected to pass by the end of March, but the Legislature and governor’s office had difficulty agreeing on an array of issues, including raising the age and the proper allocation of charter school funding. The Legislature passed a budget extender, funding the government at the previous year’s levels until May 31, prior to passing a full budget last weekend.
The budget also gives the state’s budget director the authority to react to significant federal budget cuts if enacted. If federal support is reduced by more than $850 million, Cuomo’s budget director can institute cuts unless the Legislature passes a plan within 80 days. During an April 5 press conference, Cuomo expressed frustration with the annual budget model, saying it could make it more difficult to react to what were likely to be onerous spending cuts from Washington.
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli praised many aspects of the budget, including its criminal justice reforms, but criticized that it was late and did not allow for public review.
“The budget does not include needed reforms to the state’s procurement practices to better ensure spending accountability and transparency,” he said. “Hopefully, before the end of session, the procurement reforms my office has advanced will be addressed.”
State Assemblyman Alan Hevesi (D-Forest Hills) touted the agreement to release $1 billion in support of developing 6,000 new units of supportive housing in the next five years. Cuomo has expressed support for building 20,000 supportive units in the next 15 years, according to Hevesi. Supportive housing offers services in or near residential units to help ensure stability for vulnerable tenants.
“It is the logical solution to homelessness — supportive housing provides stable homes and support services to those in need,” Hevesi said. “It will save taxpayer dollars as it is far more cost-effective than relying on homeless shelters and, most importantly, it works.”
State Sen. James Sanders (D-Rochdale Village) said the budget was a mixed bag of successes and failures. He cited the increased aid to school districts, as well as an agreement to let ride-sharing businesses like Uber or Lyft operate upstate. However, he cited the failure to pass the DREAM Act for undocumented immigrants and the lack of substantive ethics reform as stumbling blocks.
“The budget negotiations were difficult, but in the end we were able to make some advancements in the areas of education, economic development and criminal justice,” Sanders said. “Though we can and should do more, this gives us a foundation upon which we can build.”
Mayoral control of New York City schools was not included in the budget, which means the Legislature will have to take the issue up separately. Mayor Bill de Blasio received a one-year extension in a deal reached in the closing hours of last year’s Legislative session last June.
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
