Last week, Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (D-Sag Harbor), Chair of the Assembly Local Governments Committee, announced that he has been appointed by Speaker Carl Heastie to serve as Co-chair of the 2023 Joint Budget Subcommittee on General Government and Local Assistance.

The establishment of conference committees on the budget sets up a cooperative framework for resolving the differences between the budget resolutions passed by the two houses of the New York State Legislature and the Governor. Joint budget committees provide a means to work toward agreements on many issues and help expedite New York State's complex budget process.

Traditionally, joint committees consist of five members from each house appointed by the Assembly Speaker and the Senate President Pro Tempore. Meetings are open to the public. Assemblyman Thiele will chair, with Senator James Skoufis, the Joint Budget Subcommittee on General Government and Local Assistance, which is scheduled to meet for the first time on Tuesday, March 21^st at 4:30 pm.

 “After serving on this joint budget subcommittee for several years, I am honored to be appointed Co-chair for the first time” said Assemblyman Thiele. “Critical issues including the role of local government in the proposed Housing Compact and local government assistance will be on the agenda of the Joint Budget Subcommittee on General Government and Local Assistance.

With the budget deadline approaching quickly, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to pass a state budget that keeps our communities safe, protects our environment, supports our local governments and addresses the lack of affordable housing across New York.”