Legislative session is back in full swing this week with the release of the Governor’s proposed budget and joint budget hearings kicking off next week – this will be the most fiscally challenging year since I entered the Assembly over 5 years ago!

Fahy Office Annual Open House. Please join me and my office at my annual open house next Friday, January 26th at 8:30 AM. All are welcome and new artwork is on display!

Governor’s Executive Budget. The Governor released his Executive Budget plan on Tuesday outlining major plans for New York’s tax structure, as well as investments in education and transportation. Going into the year with a $4.4 billion deficit means that this budget will be difficult, but I’m determined to work with my colleagues to continue to grow jobs and the economy in the Capital Region. A few highlights from the proposed budget include:

New Tax Structure. The new federal tax “reform” plan includes many provisions harmful to New Yorkers, but few are more damaging to taxpayers than the changes to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. Governor Cuomo outlined a voluntary plan to move from an income tax model to a payroll tax model in order to help New Yorkers save on their taxes. It is not easy to stay a step ahead of the bad news from Washington. These are complex issues and I’m carefully following this plan as it develops to find the best way forward to protect and help the bottom line for taxpayers.

2% Spending Cap. The Governor’s plan recognizes the financial realities of this upcoming budget season and caps new taxpayer-funded spending at a 1.9% increase. The largest increase – 3% – or $700 million is in new K-12 education spending. I’m pleased to see a priority placed on education, even in this time of limited resources; however, this amount still falls short of what most school districts need especially as they grapple with their own tax caps. I will continue to advocate for more assistance – including for community schools, Pre-K, afterschool programs to name a few.

Capital City Funding for Albany. I am disappointed that the $12.5 million for the City of Albany was not included in the Executive Budget. Albany has worked closely with the state in recent years to move towards a more financially stable future. While aid to municipalities funding for Albany is proportionally the lowest for cities in New York, I’m proud to have worked with the city as they’ve made progress in lowering spending. Funding from the state is crucial for Albany to close its $12.5 million structural deficit, and including additional funding in the 30 Day amendments will be a top priority for me this upcoming budget season.

Plastic Bag Commission Releases Report. Earlier this week New York’s Plastic Bag Task Force released their report on addressing serious problems with disposable plastic bags. New Yorkers use 23 billion of these bags a year, which can take 1,000 years to decompose and place a significant burden on sewer systems in the state. We can do better to reduce, reuse and recycle. There are good models to point to where a combination of education, reusable bags, plastic bag bans and fees have worked. I’ll continue to monitor this issue as the plan further develops.

Update on My Net Neutrality Legislation. I’m continuing to push my legislation to prohibit state contracts from going to internet service providers that do not abide by net neutrality principles. The Hill of Washington DC, ran a story about how states are responding to the FCC’s ruling overturning net neutrality and highlighted how my legislation works around outstanding legal issues with federal preemption.

Community Updates & Events

Fahy Office Annual Open House in the LOB. Mark your calendars! I will be hosting my annual office open house on Friday, January 26th from 8:30-10:00 AM in room 452 of the Legislative Office Building. This annual event is an opportunity to see my office in action and view work by amazing local artists including Lee Dixon, Laura Shore, and Theresa Swidorski. Light refreshments will be served.

Albany Women’s March. Join me and other local leaders at this year’s Albany Women’s March this Saturday in Albany’s West Capitol Park. I’m excited to build on the momentum of last year’s march as we move forward in building a better world for women and families. A rally will begin at 1:00 PM and will be followed by the march at 2:45.

Union College Environmental Seminar Series. I’ll be joining Congressman Paul Tonko and former EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck next week for a discussion about how federal and state policies will influence our energy future, including how actions in Washington and Albany interact with each other. The Seminar will be held at Union College’s Nott Memorial Hall on Thursday, January 25th at 7:00 PM.

Lecture on Dutch History of the Capital Region. Charles Gehring, Director of the New Netherland Research Center, will be presenting on the fascinating story of the creation of the United Provinces of the Netherlands in the seventeenth century. The lecture will take place in Thacher State Park visitors Center this Sunday, January 21st at 2:00 PM. Find out how the Dutch managed to survive after breaking with the Spanish empire by creating their own commercial empire. Call 518-872-0800 for more information.

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, or give us a call at (518) 455-4178.

Pat