“In the wake of a year marked by unprecedented challenges, insurmountable loss and devastating economic repercussions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s absolutely critical that our budget reflect these challenges and support our communities’ recovery,” said Woerner. “I fought for a budget plan that makes good use of federal support, stimulates our economy and strengthens small businesses. The Assembly proposal advances positive change and bolsters the work we’re doing to support New Yorkers at this time. I’ll continue working to ensure our families have the resources they need to build a brighter future.”

The Assembly budget proposal boosts agricultural support, restores funding to key health care programs, invests in infrastructure improvements and supports county fairs. that the plan also rejects cuts to video lottery terminal (VLT) aid for Saratoga Springs, as well as measures that could negatively impact harness racing in Saratoga Springs

In addition, Woerner fought to provide $1 billion to establish the Small Business Reopening and Relief Grant Program, which would help bring much-needed relief to countless small-business owners across the state. Small businesses eligible for this new grant program would be independently owned and operated corporations within the state, including farms, that are not dominant in their field and employ 100 or fewer people, Grants could be used to cover various business costs, including payroll, rent, mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities and pandemic-related expenditures that were necessary to protect the health and safety of workers and consumers.

To ensure New York students have the resources they need, Woerner fought for a budget proposal that increases total education funding by $3.1 billion. The Assembly plan also:

• increases Foundation Aid by $1.4 billion for a total of $19.8 billion;
• provides an additional $33 million for SUNY community colleges; and
• helps eliminate the TAP gap.

Additionally, Woerner fought to secure funding in the following areas:

Agriculture

• Provide $35.41 million for Agricultural Aid to Localities, an increase of $8 million above the executive proposal, including funding for Farmland for a New Generation
• Adds $25 million for Nourish NY, bringing total funding to $85 million since the program’s inception; this program helps people who are food insecure access nutritious food from New York farmers
• Restore $5 million for capital improvements to local fairs and provides $10 million to jumpstart local fairs this summer

Health care

• Restore $3.17 million to Rural Health Network Development, a program that offers grants to rural health care providers to expand health care access, and the Health Care Access Program, which expands access to affordable health care for uninsured individuals

Infrastructure

• Provide $438.1 million in funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs)
• Provide an additional $100 million for PAVE NY and restore $65 million in Extreme Winter Weather Recovery
• Expand the existing Historic Rehabilitation Credit, to increase the eligible reimbursement from 20 percent to 30 percent, for projects under $2.5 million

The Assembly’s budget proposal also provides $100 million for distressed mom and pop landlords whose tenants failed to pay rent or who otherwise don’t qualify for assistance under existing programs. Woerner noted that this would provide much-needed relief to struggling families across the state and will fight to ensure that it’s included in the final enacted budget.