On Monday the Assembly released their one-house budget resolution in response to the Governor's proposed executive budget.

Assembly Releases One-House Budget Resolution. The Assembly one-house budget proposal would make significant tax reforms to try to minimize the impact of the federal tax reform, as well as investments in health, Pre-K to 12 and higher education, roads, bridges and public transit, aggressive policies to confront sexual harassment, and comprehensive criminal justice reforms.

The Assembly’s overall proposed spending is $1.3 billion or 1.7 percent higher than the Executive Budget proposal at $170.2 billion.

Some quick highlights from the Speaker’s Budget Press Release:

Albany Capital Funding: I appreciate the Speaker's responsiveness to the critical financial needs of Albany by designating $9.8 million for aid pursuant to the recommendations at the State Financial Restructuring Board for local governments. Securing funds to address Albany’s capital city needs remains a priority, and I will continue to strongly advocate for Albany financial stability.

Fee and Revenue Raisers: Recognizing the impact of the federal tax plan on New York’s budget the Assembly spending plan would make the current Personal Income Tax top rate of 8.82 percent permanent and increase only rates for those making over $5 million to ensure funding for critical services. The Assembly's Personal Income Tax surcharge proposal on earners who make over $5 million is projected to increase revenues by $232 million.

To meet increasing transit aid need an added $2.75 surcharge is proposed on transportation network company (TNC) services like Uber, Lyft, black cars, and limousines on certain fares in New York City, and a $1 charge outside of that zone, including in Upstate.

Transportation: Developing a more robust public transit network is essential for connecting New Yorkers to economic opportunity. The Assembly budget proposal invests $10.5 billion in the state's transportation network. The Assembly adds $490 million to bring total MTA support to $5.3 billion. To support suburban and upstate transportation needs, $335 million is dedicated for non-MTA downstate transit systems and $221.5 million to upstate transit systems, which is a critical Upstate increase of $16.8 million.

Also included in the spending action is $519.9 million for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) and $100 million for the Pave NY program.

K - 12 Education: The Assembly spending proposal allocates $27.1 billion in school aid, which is an increase of $1.5 billion or 5.9 percent over the 2017-18 School Year. The Assembly proposes to increase Foundation Aid to $18.4 billion for SY 2018-19, an increase of $1.2 billion. This includes $50 million in additional funding for Pre-K, as well as funding for community schools and afterschool programs.

Libraries: Libraries are the backbone of our communities. The Assembly budget proposal adds an additional $50 million to the library capital budget for a total of $64 million.

Higher Education & Bundy Aid: New York’s strength lies in its strong higher education system. The Assembly's budget proposal makes a $16 billion investment to promote college affordability in New York State. It includes a 20 percent increase over 2017-18 levels for opportunity programs like EOP and HEOP for a total investment of $23.8 million.

The Assembly budget restores $24.6 million to fully restore Bundy Aid for private college students. The proposal restores $200 million in facility support to SUNY for critical maintenance and $100 million each to CUNY and SUNY for critical capital projects.

Criminal Justice: The right to a fair and speedy trial is fundamental to our criminal justice system. The budget proposal includes comprehensive reforms of pretrial processes and procedures in criminal cases regarding speedy trial and discovery. It increases transparency in cases where civilians are killed during interactions with law enforcement, places limits on the use of solitary confinement in jails and prisons, fully funds “Raise the Age”, and expands gun safety measures. The plan includes the Child Victims Act, proposes $5 million to enact bail reform provisions, “ban the box” legislation and provides for the automatic sealing of low-level marijuana offenses.

Sexual Harassment: The scourge of sexual harassment injures victims personally, financially and professionally. The proposal would require a neutral third party arbitrator and ban mandatory arbitration agreements.

Housing/ Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits: The plan enhances the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to maximize investment in low-income housing projects and includes the critical extension of the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit to continue reinvestment in historic buildings.

Healthcare, Mental Health: Recognizing the vitally important role of health care providers, the Assembly proposal would provide $430 million in support for critical safety-net providers. The plan also includes at least $75 million in capital investment funding for community-based providers. The bill invests in children's mental hygiene by providing $15 million to expand children's mental health services.

Opioid Abuse. To further combat the scourge of heroin and opioid addiction, the Assembly provides $47.75 million in additional support to related programs, bringing total spending to $270 million.

State Health Lab Investment in Albany. The budget plan invests $600 million in addition to the $150 million added last year to consolidate and upgrade the state health labs (including the Wadsworth Labs) with a goal of creating world-class labs and drive additional private investment. Critical language has been added supporting this investment as a vital tool for New York’s public health system providing, however, that the labs – and jobs - remain in the City of Albany.

Human Services: The human services sector is one of the fastest growing in New York. The proposal includes a new $128.7 million federal allocation in support of child care services, including $31 million to increase child care subsidies. The Assembly's plan offers support for the human services sector by providing $23 million to fund increased labor costs among human service contractors due to the increase in minimum wage and provides a new $20 million for the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program.

Refugee Resettlement. The Assembly’s budget proposal also includes $2 million to aid refugee resettlement programs.

Environment: The spending plan includes retaining the $300 million allocation to the Environmental Protection Fund. This includes is funding for land acquisition, the Hudson River Park Trust, and environmental justice.

Assembly Passes Women’s Reproductive Health Agenda. On Tuesday, the Assembly passed legislation to protect women’s reproductive rights as the fight for full women’s equality continues. The measures affirm a woman’s right to choose in New York State, require insurers to continue covering contraception at no cost to the consumer and prohibit discrimination against employees based on reproductive health choices. This legislation is critical now more than ever as the Trump administration continues to threaten a woman’s reproductive freedom in the midst of its ongoing war on women.

Community Updates and Events.

Albany St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Award. Please be sure to join me this weekend (and wave!) at the traditional Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade kicks off a 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 17 at the intersection of Central and Quail. I was honored this Monday to receive the Charles Stewert Parnell Award from the Irish American Legislators Society. By popular request, I am adding my son, Brendan Bequette's, Eire film. It is 3 1/2 minutes with no dialogue but amazing music that we were unable to play at the awards dinner.

Dolores Huerta Documentary. Albany PBS affiliate, WMHT will air “Dolores” a film about the life of Latina activist Dolores Huerta on March 27th at 9:00 PM. With intimate and unprecedented access, Peter Bratt's Dolores tells the story of Dolores Huerta, among the most important, yet least-known, activists in American history. Co-founder of the first farmworkers union with Cesar Chavez, she tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice, becoming one of the most defiant feminists of the 20th century.

Albany Seeking Community Service Award Nominations. Do you know an Albany resident who deserves to be recognized for giving their time and talent to build a better Albany? If so, nominate them for the 2nd Annual Henry Johnson Award for Distinguished Community Service, bestowed upon an Albany resident who has made meaningful contributions to our community. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, April 13.

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