By Ed Ra
Nearly two months after the April 1 deadline, pencils are finally down on a staggering $268 billion budget — $14 billion more than last year. In a process that is always over-complicated in Albany, this year’s budget negotiations were inarguably among the most dysfunctional in recent memory.
One might assume a budget passed 57 days late would be thoughtfully crafted and focused on improving the lives of New Yorkers — they’d be wrong. The final agreement is loaded with non-budgetary items, contains $2.5 billion in tax increases, and represents a complete lack of fiscal responsibility. Since 2021, New York’s budget has grown by more than $90 billion, yet runaway spending hasn’t translated into an improved quality of life.
Democrats chose to put politics ahead of public safety by restricting cooperation between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Despite state revenues that exceeded expectations, Democrats advanced a pied-à-terre tax that will only further discourage investment and push high earners out of the state.
While this budget falls short in many areas, the Assembly Minority Conference fought to secure several important victories. After years of sounding the alarm over misguided energy policies, the final budget provides immediate relief to overburdened ratepayers and delays climate mandates.
Additionally, after long advocating for tax relief, the budget includes no state tax on tipped wages — a commonsense policy our conference has consistently supported to help workers keep more of their hard-earned money. Our Conference has proposed investments in child care, expanding universal Pre-K (UPK) funding for school districts and additional investments in the Child Care Assistance Program.
New York has the potential to be a state where families can afford to stay, businesses can grow, and future generations can put down roots. But that requires a government focused on affordability, accountability, and public safety — not one that continues growing government while quality of life declines. Unfortunately, this budget does not move New York forward. It doubles down on the same failed policies that have already driven families, businesses, and opportunity out of our state.
Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is the Assembly Minority Leader.