The inauguration of our 45th President, Donald Trump, and peaceful transition of power took place last week along with rallies and inspiring marches across the nation by women and men exercising their rights of free speech and assembly. A host of anticipated changes at the federal level will impact our work and budget at the state level particularly with regard to health care, the environment, alternative energy, and education.

Budget:

Governor Cuomo releases his proposed 2017-18 budget. The Governor has proposed a balanced budget of $152.3 billion and, as in past years, kept spending below 2% with his stated goal of strengthening the middle class and providing fiscal stability. The Assembly has issued its summary analysis of the budget via the attached and expects to complete our "One House" budget response by mid-March.

The following are some highlights:

Middle Class Tax Cuts. Proposed decreases in the tax rate could save average middle-class taxpayers (for those earning $40,000 to $300,000) $250 a year and when fully implemented the savings will rise to $700 annually. The Governor plans to fund this in part by extending the 8.82% tax surcharge on those earning over $1.6 million per annum (millionaire’s tax) set to expire this year.

Free College Tuition. The Governor proposes $153 million to make tuition free at state colleges and universities for full-time students (minimum 15 credit hours and only for those on track to complete in 4 years) whose families are earning less than $125,000 per year with a 5.4% increase in higher education overall for a total of nearly $7.5 billion.

P-12 School Aid. The Governor proposes a 3.9% increase to $25.6 billion overall in P-12 education funding that includes a $428 million increase in foundation aid, $35 million in new funding for afterschool programs in high poverty areas and an additional $5 million for expansion of pre-kindergarten programs to 3 and 4 year olds in high need schools.

Technology and Economic Development. The Governor proposes $750 million for the next round of Regional Economic Development awards and an additional $207 million for strategic economic development projects.

Water & Sewer Infrastructure. The budget includes $400 million to support clean drinking water infrastructure with a total allocation goal of $2 billion over the next 5 years.

Empire Bike Trail. An initial allocation of $53 million would complete the development of bicycle and pedestrian trails that will stretch from Albany to Buffalo along the Erie Canal, and from New York City to the Canadian border. Completing the Erie Canal is one I have strongly advocated for and will be a significant tourism boost upstate - especially for small businesses along the trail. Spending on renovations at state parks would total $120 million, up from $90 million this year.

Legislation:

Requiring presidential candidates to issue tax returns in NYS. I introduced legislation—a companion bill to Sen. Hoylman’s bill (S.26)—to require presidential candidates to release their tax returns in order to get on the ballot in NYS. This was done last Friday in response to President Trump’s failure to release his tax returns when he was a candidate.

New Yorkers hold presidential candidates to the highest standards and want the most trusted to serve in our country’s highest elected office. It is reasonable to expect presidential and vice presidential candidates to show evidence of their financial stability and integrity regarding personal business and financial transactions and my legislation will make it a requirement in order to get on the ballot in New York State.

Legislation Supporting Craft Beverage Production. Senator George Amedore and I have introduced legislation that will allow farm distilleries to serve New York State-made beer, wine, and cider by the glass. Presently, farm distilleries can sell farm beer, wine, and cider by the bottle, but not for on-premise consumption.

Craft beverage production has grown exponentially in our region and this bill encourages cross collaboration between distilleries, wineries, cideries, and breweries. This is common sense legislation that will remedy parity between the farm beverage producers.

Highway Dedication to a Fallen Hero. I had the great honor to join fallen war hero, US Army 1st Lieutenant Lanny G. Ladouceur’s wife, mother and brother and Guilderland Town Supervisor Peter Barber and staff to dedicate and rename a part of West Lydius St. (from Church Road to Carman Road) in his honor. Lt. Ladouceur was killed in action on May 19th, 1970 in Vietnam when the helicopter he was riding in was shot down. We owe a tremendous debt to those who have served in the military and it is important to honor their memory.

Protecting the Health and Safety of Albany’s South End Residents. Residents of Ezra Prentice Homes in the South End are subject to health impacts and risks of crude oil being transported by train near their homes as well as fumes from diesel trucks along a heavily trafficked adjacent roadway. I joined residents and state and local government officials as the Department of Environmental Conservation discussed plans to undertake a $500,000 air quality study in the South End set to begin this spring.

I have passed legislation in the Assembly for the past three years to help protect South End residents to help increase safety measures for transporting crude oil via increased insurance requirements and will advocate for its passage again this session.

Community Updates:

New Home for Albany Center Gallery. I was pleased to join with others on Jan. 18th to celebrate Albany Center Gallery’s re-opening and new home in the beautifully renovated Arcade Building on 488 Broadway. The arts, including the beautiful new Center Gallery, are key to a vibrant downtown helping to spur economic development for the entire city.

Forum on Improving Water Quality with Green Infrastructure. On Wednesday, February 1st at the Albany Law School, the New York League of Conservation Voters will host a public policy forum on Green Infrastructure in the Capital Region to discuss projects in the region and around the state that illustrate the value of green infrastructure and its promise for improving New York's water quality.

Water quality issues such as combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that discharge untreated sewage and stormwater runoff into the region’s rivers and lakes, are constantly in the news. Green infrastructure installations can help control combined sewer overflows during periods of heavy rain.

Job Opportunities: New York State has setup a new job portal entitled Jobs Express, where thousands of private and public sector jobs are listed. Visit jobs.ny.gov for more information on how to apply for these opportunities.

As always, for the latest news or for upcoming events, please visit my office online, on Facebook, on Twitter, or my Times Union blog. If you would like to reach my office, please feel free to send us a note.

Sincerely ---

Pat