$254 Billion State Budget Finalized, Signed into Law

New York State finally has a budget in place for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, more than a month after it was due. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the $254.3 billion spending plan Friday morning at an event in Broome County after lawmakers finalized and passed all of the budget bills on Thursday. Both of Chautauqua County's state lawmakers voted against the final budget, criticizing the amount of spending it contains. Senator George Borrello characterized the spending plan as a "monument to mismanagement"...

George Borrello: not a transparent process

The Sunset Bay Republican says while the budget contains "modest wins" like a middle-class tax cut and inflation refund checks, he believes there was a missed opportunity to bolster some other things...

George Borrello: fell short on Medicaid reimbursement and CHIPS funding

On the positive side, Borrello applauded the expansion of involuntary commitment standards and the strengthening of Kendra's Law.

Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, a former prosecutor, says he was pleased that there were changes to the state's discovery law, but he doesn't believe they go far enough. He also feels the budget tries to address access to child care...

Andrew Molitor: addressing child care

However, the Westfield Republican feels "the good cannot outweigh the bad." Both lawmakers were critical of the $3 billion allocated for the New York City transit system.

File photo