Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside), who serves as Chair of the Cities Committee and a member of the Assembly’s Working Group on Transitioning N.Y. Economy Toward COVID-19 Recovery, issued the following statement on the passing of the New York State FY 2021-22 Budget:

“The 2021-22 State Budget includes many important initiatives that will help New York families overcome the extraordinary challenges of the past year. The budget also provides much-needed support to our small businesses and will lay the foundation for New York State’s economic revival.”

On Education: “With the arrival of an unprecedented public health crisis last spring, school communities faced a sudden shift to remote learning and navigated delivering academic, social and emotional learning in the digital classroom. Now, with students returning to school buildings and an end to the COVID-19 crisis in sight, I’m proud to help pass a state budget that makes a historic investment in our students and families by increasing funding to New York State schools by over $3 billion. 

The Assembly also fought to increase Foundation Aid to our schools by $1.4 billion over last year, confirming our commitment to ensure New York City schools have every resource they need to deliver a quality education to our younger generations. In addition, a $2.4 billion allocation to enhance the accessibility and affordability of childcare in New York State is a gamechanger for our working families and I thank our partners in the federal government for helping make this a reality.”

On Small Businesses: “New York’s thousands of small businesses and restaurants, which are the heart of the state economy, continue to do their best to adapt and survive during the ongoing public health crisis. The $1B Business Relief package is a tremendous win for our small businesses, who will soon see relief through the $800 million COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program. The program will offer relief to those establishments who need it most by helping owners cover pandemic-related expenses including rent, utilities and payroll. 

A $100 million Music and Theatrical Production Credit and $40 million allocation to the Arts Recovery Grant program will help kickstart the return of New York City’s unrivaled arts sector and reactivate our bustling tourism economy. A further $35 million in tax credits reserved for New York City restaurants most impacted by COVID-19 restrictions positions our small businesses and the thousands of New Yorkers they employ for success.”

Rent and Mortgage Relief: “A combined $3 billion in federal and state dollars will provide direct relief to New York renters, homeowners and small landlords struggling to make ends meet in these difficult times. This includes $575 million in federal funding for mortgage assistance, which can be used for payment relief, principal reductions and utilities or association fees, and will help New Yorkers keep their homes throughout this crisis.”

On AAPI funding: “The state budget responds aggressively to the recent rise in anti-Asian violence and discrimination, inflamed by the harmful rhetoric surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes a $10 million investment in the Asian American community-based organizations working on the ground to Stop Asian Hate, reaffirming that discrimination has no place New York State.”