A Fiscal Battle Plan to Protect New Yorkers from Washington’s Cuts and Build a More Prosperous Future
We are at a unique, chaotic, and arduous moment in the world outside the Senate Chambers. As your Senate Majority Leader, I am honored to present our One-House Budget Resolution—a bold, compassionate, and fiscally responsible plan that directly addresses the most pressing concern for New Yorkers: affordability.
We hear a lot about affordability from across the aisle. Yet these same colleagues stood silent when the Trump administration and Republican Congressional majorities proposed massive tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy—while hardworking lower and middle-income New Yorkers are paying more for less support beginning with cuts to social security, Medicare, housing and even food.
In stark contrast, this Senate Majority has delivered—and expedited—the lowest middle-class tax rates New York has seen in over 70 years. And now, we’re ending the luxury yacht tax break our colleagues across the aisle handed out during their last Majority. As I’ve always said: budgets are about priorities.
Our budget modifies the Governor’s rebate proposal, ensuring long-term financial support for seniors, as well as an expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), delivering sustained relief to low- and middle-income families. The EITC is expanded to younger workers by lowering the eligibility age from 25 to 19 and increasing refunds for single working people to help cover essential costs like rent and groceries.
Housing remains a cornerstone of our budget. We commit $250 million to the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) to prevent homelessness and ensure rental assistance. We invest $75 million in public housing authorities outside of NYC and $50 million to rehabilitate vacant rental units. As part of the City of Yes proposal, we will provide $1 billion for housing, including $500 million for public housing. And we provide funding to help Homeowners remain in their homes across the state. Every New Yorker deserves a safe and stable home.
We continue our historic commitment to education by fully funding Foundation Aid, expanding Universal Pre-K with $150 million, and investing $500 million in childcare workforce stabilization to increase childcare availability. Additionally, $25 million is allocated to expand non-traditional-hour childcare. We build on the Governor’s proposal for universal free school meals by expanding farm-to-school programs, ensuring children receive nutritious, locally sourced food and providing a boost to our New York’s family farms.
Our budget also significantly expands support for higher education, with an additional $74.3 million for SUNY and $114 million for CUNY. We create a five-year, $1 billion annual capital plan to modernize campuses and hospitals, increase support for student mental health, and expand financial aid.
With looming abhorrent Medicaid cuts slated by Republicans in Washington, we safeguard healthcare access with $1.5 billion in new investments, including $355 million for hospitals, $250 million for nursing homes, and $100 million for NYC Health + Hospitals. We strengthen reproductive healthcare with $35 million for the Reproductive Freedom & Equity Grant Program, and expand Medicaid protections for vulnerable communities. Additionally, we invest $100 million in Children’s Behavioral Health Clinics and allocate $22 million for crisis response teams under Daniel’s Law.
Public safety remains a priority, with $46 million for violence prevention and other public safety programs, $20 million for Family Court access, and expanded support for jail-based Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to combat opioid addiction.
Our small businesses—the backbone of our economy—receive targeted support, including a new Unemployment Insurance tax credit for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, helping offset costs. We also increase MWBE funding and support for main street revitalization.
Our commitment to affordability and economic security extends to the hardworking people who keep our state running. That’s why this budget takes significant steps to support workers across industries. We expand Temporary Disability Insurance to ensure that more New Yorkers have the financial support they need during health challenges. Construction workers will see stronger prevailing wage protections, guaranteeing fair pay on publicly funded projects. This budget reflects our fundamental belief that when we invest in workers, we strengthen New York’s economy, families, and communities.
We take bold steps to address the climate crisis by expanding Clean Water Funding to $700 million, increasing funding for energy affordability programs by $200 million, and creating a $2,000 rebate for used zero-emission vehicles. Despite misinformation from fossil fuel interests, states like Texas have demonstrated that renewable energy can provide the cheapest electricity in the nation. Our budget meets this urgency with an additional $100 million investment in the Environmental Protection Fund, funding for clean water projects, incentives for zero-emission vehicles, and accelerated renewable energy infrastructure. Additionally, we establish the Office of Climate Resiliency to coordinate state responses to climate threats and invest in floating solar incentives.
Finally, as the daughter of a Combat Veteran who bravely served despite discrimination, I was outraged by a recent Republican Congressman’s dismissive remarks about Veterans’ employment rights not being “god-given.” Our budget honors veterans with an increase in Veterans’ services funding, a new property tax exemption for 100% service-disabled veterans, and expanded Gold Star Annuity benefits. This includes additional funding for the Veterans Defense Program (VDP) and $300K for NY Helmets to Hardhats to support Veterans transitioning to trade careers. Our budget also provides nearly $4 million more for Veteran housing, job training, legal assistance, and mental healthcare. Our Veterans fought for us; we will always fight for them.
As we progress, I welcome the challenging yet necessary conversations and negotiations with the Executive and Assembly. Though the road ahead may be difficult, through collaboration and our shared commitment, we can create greater opportunities and build a stronger New York, even in these perilous times for our nation.
Today is about more than a budget—it’s about our collective promise to every New Yorker. It’s about reaffirming our shared values of fairness, equity, and resilience, and our commitment to a brighter, stronger future for our state. We have repeatedly proven that when we invest in our people, we strengthen our communities, economy, and entire state.
I look forward to the work ahead and delivering on our shared promise to build a New York that truly works for everyone.
Andrea Stewart-Cousins holds the positions of President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, and she is the Senator for the 35th District. As the longest-serving Democratic Majority Leader in New York State Senate history, and the first woman and African American woman to occupy this role, her tenure is distinguished by significant legislative achievements and a steadfast commitment to addressing the needs of New Yorkers.
