Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Onondaga County) announced that the New York State Assembly has introduced a budget proposal that helps create jobs, provides tax relief for families and invests in infrastructure (E.203).

“We must do all that we can to ensure hardworking families are not only successful, but thriving, and this budget plan aims to do just that,” said Assemblyman Stirpe. “As we move forward in budget negotiations I’ll continue advocating for a budget that helps alleviate the burden from our taxpayers and spurs economic growth, to put our families’ interests first.”

The Assembly’s proposal would tie property taxes to household income for homeowners, instead of basing them on property value only, and would be the first time in recent years that property taxes are actually cut. This “circuit breaker” credit would also be extended to renters, with a portion of annual rent tied to household income. In addition, the proposal includes $715.1 million in Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funds to ease the tax burden on local towns and villages and help provide for local services.

Local governments whose sewers and water mains are in need of repair or replacement – like many of those in Central New York – will also get $250 million in grants. Assemblyman Stirpe noted that just recently a new report from a coalition of four groups – Riverkeeper, Environmental Advocates, the League of Conservation Voters and the Adirondack Council – detailed that the state faces an infrastructure crisis if it doesn't invest in upgrades and repairs to address the state's aging water and sewer systems.

Last year, local roads took a beating from the harsh weather and Assemblyman Stirpe was able to secure funds to fix potholes to make our roads safer. This year, the proposal continues to provide aid through the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) and sets forth an additional $60 million for extreme weather recovery. This additional aid will help repair our roads and bring local jobs to our area, Assemblyman Stirpe noted.

$25 million in increased funds will also help provide for upstate transit systems to establish a board and make recommendations to ensure growth and fiscal stability among these systems. The proposal also included $1.5 billion in economic development funding for the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, which also provides $300 million for a new Regional Significant Infrastructure Program for workforce development, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism initiatives.

“This proposal is a step in the right direction and I look forward to going through some of the details and continuing the fight for our families as budget negotiations continue,” concluded Assemblyman Stirpe.