Albany, NY – The New York State Senate has passed its one-house budget resolution for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, aiming to ease financial burdens on residents while investing in infrastructure, public safety, environmental protection, and social programs. The resolution, which includes several key initiatives introduced by Senator Pete Harckham, reflects a commitment to making New York more affordable and sustainable while supporting families, seniors, and municipalities.
Harckham emphasized the resolution’s focus on economic relief, stating, “At a time when prices are surging across the board, it is crucial that New Yorkers know their state government is fully behind them. This budget will allow us to combat the rising cost of living and make New York more affordable while improving our roadways, supporting families and seniors, lowering utility costs, safeguarding our environment, and combatting climate change.”
One of the major highlights of the resolution is a significant investment in transportation infrastructure, particularly in the Hudson Valley region. The Senate has allocated an additional $100 million for the New York State Department of Transportation’s Region 8, which includes the Mid-Hudson Valley, helping to enhance local roads and bridges that have been underfunded in recent years.
The budget also expands clean water infrastructure funding by $200 million, bringing the total investment to $700 million. A portion of these funds will be dedicated to replacing lead service lines and upgrading municipal water systems. Harckham, a strong advocate for environmental initiatives, has also introduced a floating solar incentive program, a $2,000 rebate for used zero-emissions vehicles, and an increase in the Residential Solar Tax Credit from $5,000 to $10,000 to make renewable energy more accessible.
For working families, the resolution expands the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Working Families Tax Credit, providing up to $1,600 per child for eligible families. Additionally, it lowers the eligibility age for the Earned Income Tax Credit from 25 to 19, ensuring younger workers benefit from financial relief. The Senate also allocated $500 million to strengthen the childcare workforce, increasing the number of available childcare slots for working parents.
Seniors are also a focus of the budget, with the Senate approving modifications to the inflation rebate check program to better serve older residents and extending it for an additional three years. The earnings cap for public service retirees has also been increased from $35,000 to $65,000, allowing retirees to supplement their income without penalty.
The budget resolution also includes substantial funding for education, with a $680 million increase in Foundation Aid to ensure all schools receive at least a 3 percent funding increase. There is also $150 million for Universal Pre-K expansion and $180 million for after-school programs to support working families and enhance learning opportunities for students across the state.
The transportation sector is set to receive $2.3 billion to improve roads, bridges, and public transit. This includes an additional $100 million for CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program), $50 million for Extreme Winter Recovery, and $82 million for non-MTA transit systems to support suburban and upstate public transit agencies.
The resolution has received widespread support from local leaders, environmental organizations, and community advocates. Stephen Papas, President & CEO of the United Way of Rockland County, praised the expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit, stating, “This tax credit is vital to supporting hardworking families by helping them keep more of their earnings to build a brighter future.”
Rockland County Executive Ed Day expressed appreciation for the budget’s focus on municipal aid and infrastructure, while Riverkeeper’s Associate Director of Government Affairs Jeremy Cherson highlighted the $2 million increase in Hudson River funding as a “major victory” for clean water initiatives and habitat restoration efforts.
The budget resolution also underscores public safety efforts, with law enforcement officials, including North Salem Police Chief Thomas Howley, applauding the increase in earnings caps for retirees, allowing experienced officers to remain in the workforce.
Assemblyman Patrick Carroll (D-Rockland) issued the following statement after the Assembly adopted its one-house budget resolution:
“Rocklanders often feel left behind by our state government. Our taxes are high, schools are underfunded, and the cost of living is increasingly unaffordable. I was elected to the State Assembly to find solutions to our challenges and ensure Rockland gets its fair share. Although there’s more work to do, this budget provides relief for working families with tax cuts for households making under $323,000, allocates record funding for our public schools, and protects our communities by tackling gun violence and the mental health crisis.
“The Assembly is also fighting back against potential disastrous cuts by the federal government. Rather than cut services for the most vulnerable, we’re protecting Medicaid and proposing expanding health services to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the care they need.
“As we negotiate the state budget with the Governor and the Senate, I’ll continue fighting for Rockland to ensure our priorities are front and center and reflected in the final budget.”
While the one-house budget resolution represents the Senate’s priorities, negotiations with the New York State Assembly and Governor Kathy Hochul will determine the final budget. The resolution signals a strong push toward addressing economic challenges, climate change, and infrastructure needs, aiming to make New York a more affordable and resilient place to live.