Plugged In @ Hinman Straub
May 9, 2025
What’s Inside
- NYS Budget Update
- Legislative Session Recap
- Final Budget Includes Mid-Year Budget Cutting Superpowers
- Appellate Court Rules in Favor of Even-Year Local Elections
- Cuomo Announces Independent Ballot Line in NYC Mayor Race
- In the News
- Coming Up
NYS Budget Update
Legislative leaders and Governor Kathy Hochul concluded a protracted negotiation on a new budget plan for New York, more than four weeks past the April start of the State’s new fiscal year.
Governor Hochul announced the “general agreement” on a new state budget at a press conference held on Monday, April 28. Discussions with lawmakers continued thereafter, culminating in amended budget bills being introduced this week. Both houses began consideration and passage of each of the nine remaining budget bills on Wednesday, May 7. Debate and voting in the Senate and Assembly extended through Thursday night, May 8.
The final budget resulted in $254 billion, up $2 billion from the initial budget proposal in January. State spending will rise by nearly $17 billion over FY 2025. In addition to the increased spending, the final Budget depleted the State’s “rainy day fund” by approximately $7 billion to fund the outstanding unemployment insurance debt owed from COVID-19 pandemic claims.
The final budget included a number of high profile policy decisions that dominated virtually the entire budget process, including: reforms to the criminal discovery process, revised procedures involving the involuntary commitment of the mentally ill, restrictions on the use of cell phones during class hours, creating an aggravated crime of wearing a mask during the commission of an underlying criminal offense, and the closure of prisons.
The Governor signed the budget into law early Friday morning. Following the passage of the budget, Governor Hochul’s office issued several press releases highlighting initiatives included in the FY 2025 Budget:
The Assembly also issued various press releases highlighting initiatives within the FY 2026 Budget, which can be found here.
Legislative Session Recap
The Legislature convened Monday-Thursday this week for a regular scheduled session. Both chambers are now adjourned until Monday, May 12, for a scheduled four-day session week.
In addition to passing budget bills this week, the Senate highlighted its passage of legislation aimed at supporting farmers and agriculture communities throughout New York State.
The legislation passed would:
- Establish a youth program to provide students with information about hands-on experience with the agricultural industry;
- Create a farm ownership succession planning program to facilitate the transfer of farming operations;
- Expand regional farmers’ markets;
- Implement carbon farming tax credits; and
- Widen property tax exemption eligibility for farm buildings.
Governor Seeks Budget Cutting Superpowers
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With the specter of federal cuts looming, the final budget authorizes the New York State Budget Director to withhold all or part of appropriated payments in fiscal year 2025–26 if a general fund imbalance of $2 billion or more is projected or occurs on a cash basis.
Certain appropriations are exempt from these withholds, including public assistance and Supplemental Security Income-related payments, payments that would violate federal law, constitutionally or contractually obligated debt service, and court-ordered payments.
To make these cuts, the Budget Director must notify the Senate President and Assembly Speaker within ten business days and detail which payments will be withheld, along with any other actions being taken to resolve the shortfall. The Legislature then has ten business days to adopt its own withhold plan by concurrent resolution, provided it meets the same aggregate withhold level and adheres to the requirements of this provision. If the Legislature fails to act or its plan does not conform, the Budget Director’s plan automatically takes effect. Any withheld payments may be restored in full or in part if a surplus materializes later in the fiscal year.
Appellate Court Rules in Favor of Even-Year Local Elections
A New York state appeals court has upheld a law that moves many local elections to even-numbered years to coincide with state and federal elections, overturning a lower court’s previous decision that found the law unconstitutional.
Republican-led counties challenged the law, arguing it conflicted with local county charters, which are locally approved rules for county government. The court acknowledged that while the state constitution allows counties to have their own legislative bodies and adopt alternative forms of government, it does not grant counties exclusive control over how and when local elections are held. Republicans have appealed this decision to the Court of Appeals.
Cuomo Announces Independent Ballot Line in NYC Mayor Race
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Former Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this week that he will also run as an independent in the November general election for New York City mayor, even as he continues his campaign for the Democratic nomination. In a statement released by his campaign Tuesday, Cuomo said he will appear on the newly created “Fight and Deliver Party” ballot line regardless of the outcome of the June 24 Democratic primary.
Cuomo said in a statement:
In The News
City & State NY’s weekly Winners and Losers of this week here.
‘This is interference’: state Education Department blasts budget deal on nonpublic school rules.
Hochul: State paying off unemployment insurance debt ‘my counter to the tariffs’.
2 views of the New York bill that would legalize medically assisted suicide.
‘Chaos’: Latest cuts at World Trade Center Health Program spark new fears patient care will suffer.
New state, federal bills seek to provide financial relief for unpaid caregivers.
Transgender sports bill moves in NY Senate with help from Democrats.
NY budget includes deal for 2-year delay of income cap for lawmakers.
Hochul’s budget boosts environmental, climate spending.
NY budget includes several provisions benefiting lawmakers.
NY budget eliminates $229K salary of Cannabis Control Board chair.
FBI opens formal investigation of NY Attorney General Letitia James.
Would a run for Governor put NY Rep. Stefanik’s rise among Republicans at risk?
Lawmakers succeed in watering down Hochul’s proposed discovery changes.
State lawmakers eliminate lieutenant governor primary.
Medical marijuana operators see major hurdle with new $15 million licensing fee.
Coming Up
The Assembly will hold a public hearing on the safety of persons in custody, transparency, and accountability within state correctional facilities on May 14.
The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on May 15.
The NYS Board of Regents will meet on June 9 and 10.