Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Brooklyn) announced her support for the New York Assembly's budget proposal for fiscal year 2016-2017. Among other things the budget aims to enhance New York's quality of life for hard working middle-class families. Families and hard working individuals, under the proposed budget, would benefit from a minimum wage increase to $15 an hour and 12 weeks of paid family leave. The current proposal also lowers taxes for families most at risk while asking New York's wealthiest to pay their fair share (E.1047). "The Assembly budget proposal includes a number of measures - most notably a $15 minimum wage and 12 weeks of paid family leave - to help working and middle-class families," said Assemblymember Bichotte. "In order to fund our schools and repair our neglected infrastructure, we're asking millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share so all of New York's families can have a better future."

"The Assembly budget proposal includes a number of measures -- most notably a $15 minimum wage and 12 weeks of paid family leave -- to help working and middle-class families," said Assemblymember Bichotte. "In order to help fund our schools and repair our neglected infrastructure, we're asking millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share so that we can ensure a better future for New York's families."

Although Assemblymember Bichotte fought for a more aggressive timeline, under the Assembly proposal, the minimum wage will gradually increase over several years with an expedited implementation in downstate counties where the cost of living is higher. For families living in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties, the wage increase will be fully implemented by Dec. 31, 2018. Other counties will see a more gradual increase with the minimum wage reaching $15 per hour on Dec. 31, 2021. Notwithstanding implementation timelines and deadlines, once the $15-an-hour mark is reached, the minimum wage will be catching up to inflation's indexation.

Under the Assembly's paid family leave proposal, private employers would offer a paid leave benefit financed by a maximum 45-cent contribution per week by employees. This small contribution would afford workers a maximum of 12 weeks of paid family leave at two-thirds of the employee's salary. The contribution is contingent on it not exceeding 67 percent of the State's average weekly wage and would provide employment security during an absence from work.

"By instituting paid family leave, workers can take time off to care for a loved one without sacrificing their financial security," Assemblymember Bichotte announced. "No one should be forced to choose between a paycheck and their family's well-being."

The Assembly budget also includes reforms to the tax code, including applying the current top personal income tax rate to all New Yorkers earning $1 million or more; Thereby increasing the rate for those earning above $5 million and implementing a higher rate for those earning above $10 million. Additionally, the plan provides middle-class tax relief to over 5 million taxpayers. The expansion of the "millionaire's tax" would generate an annual tax revenue of $2 billion compared to the current tax rate structure.

In an effort to help those attempting to climb the ladder into the middle class, the budget proposal expands the earned income tax credit (EITC) over two years. The expansion will benefit more than 1.6 million hard working families. EITC is also complemented by a similar New York State program, which continues to offer highly targeted tax relief for low-income earners who currently struggle to meet the rising costs of living.

"The Assembly's proposed budget adds desperately needed additional revenue from the State's top earners. Our schools, roads, parks, and hospitals serve the majority of our citizens and residents. It's common sense that those at the top pay their fair share in these critical times," Assemblymember Bichotte noted. "Making our tax code more progressive protects hard working families and equips them to address the rising economic costs of housing, healthcare, and school tuition. Without additional tax revenue, many will be locked out from these services."