New York
No New Taxes, but Plenty to Fight Over in New York’s Looming Budget
![No New Taxes, but Plenty to Fight Over in New York’s Looming Budget No New Taxes, but Plenty to Fight Over in New York’s Looming Budget](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/00nybudget1-facebookJumbo.jpg)
ALBANY, N.Y. — The yearly race to cobble collectively New York State’s gargantuan finances is formally on.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, buoyed by an inflow of federal support and unexpectedly sturdy tax revenues, unveiled a $216.3 billion finances proposal in January aimed toward jump-starting the state’s pandemic restoration by investments in infrastructure, schooling and well being care.
This week, nevertheless, Democrats who management the State Legislature countered her plan with far-reaching proposals of their very own, placing forth monetary blueprints that might value at the very least $6 billion greater than the governor’s proposal.
Ms. Hochul and state lawmakers have till the top of the month to bridge their variations on competing spending priorities starting from larger wages for well being care staff to serving to households afford youngster care, and finalize a finances that’s not anticipated to incorporate elevating taxes.
Here’s what you must know as finances negotiations warmth up.
Extra money for youngster care, house care and universities
One of many high priorities for Democrats this 12 months is to considerably put money into the kid care business by increasing subsidies for low-income households, in addition to provide assist for brand new and current day care facilities.
Ms. Hochul put forth an bold $1.4 billion plan earlier this 12 months, solely to be outdone by much more far-reaching legislative proposals: The Meeting proposed a $3 billion plan, whereas the Senate’s model would value $4 billion.
The proposals have been portrayed as the primary steps towards a common youngster care system that might finally present free youngster look after all New York households, no matter earnings.
Additionally they proposed allocating $345 million to offer well being care protection for undocumented immigrants, a transfer that might cowl greater than 150,000 low-income folks at present barred from insurance coverage due to their immigration standing. To handle a dire scarcity of such staff in a state with a quickly growing older inhabitants, each chambers backed spending to extend the minimal wage for house care staff.
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Democratic majority chief within the Senate, stated the elevated spending was aimed toward making up for years of disinvestment that the pandemic had laid naked.
Democrats additionally proposed a substantive infusion of cash aimed toward recruiting new full-time school and bolstering the working and capital bills of the State College of New York and the Metropolis College of New York. And so they wish to increase the state’s tuition help program, following a push by a coalition of scholar and employees calling for a “New Deal” to revive funding to the general public college techniques.
Potential friction with Governor Hochul
The finances proposals have been simply as noteworthy for what they omitted.
Neglected have been some insurance policies Ms. Hochul helps and would wish to see within the closing finances, which is due April 1. The exclusion of a few of Ms. Hochul’s priorities may quantity to a negotiating tactic by lawmakers, which means it’s nonetheless potential they wind up within the closing finances after the normal horse buying and selling that typifies the final hours of finances negotiations.
The Legislature, for instance, didn’t embrace Ms. Hochul’s plan to overtake the state’s troubled ethics fee or her proposal to increase mayoral management over New York Metropolis faculties for one more 4 years, a high precedence of Mayor Eric Adams.
Carl E. Heastie, the Speaker of the Meeting, stated his members have typically supported advancing mayoral management, however that it was a coverage dialogue that could possibly be had outdoors the state finances because it didn’t expire till June.
Governors have lengthy used the leverage they wield over state finances negotiations to go gadgets unrelated to the finances, particularly on points that could possibly be extra politically tough to get by as stand-alone laws. That observe grew underneath former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, however Mr. Heastie stated his chamber was intent on reining it in.
The legislative proposals additionally didn’t embody language to permit eating places and bars to promote alcoholic drinks to go, briefly made authorized in the course of the pandemic. Ms. Hochul has proposed a plan to make to-go drinks everlasting, however the measure has confronted stiff opposition from the influential liquor foyer, which contends it will damage the underside line of liquor shops.
The Meeting additionally rejected Ms. Hochul’s plan to pay bonuses for many well being care staff, proposing as a substitute to reallocate $1.2 billion to assist pay for recurring wage will increase for workers of the Well being Division and different state businesses. Each homes additionally rejected or tweaked measures Ms. Hochul was looking for that might have given her unilateral powers to spend and borrow sure funds with little oversight.
In distinction to Ms. Hochul, Democratic lawmakers proposed utilizing greater than $1 billion in federal cash to fund the Emergency Rental Help Program, which is supposed to assist low and moderate-income tenants vulnerable to eviction pay hire.
Modifications to the state’s bail regulation
When Mr. Adams visited Albany final month to press for modifications to the state’s bail legal guidelines, legislative leaders gave him the chilly shoulder.
However now that Ms. Hochul can also be supporting a broad array of modifications to the bail legal guidelines, the problem appears again in play. The governor desires to broaden the variety of crimes eligible for bail and permit judges to contemplate the “dangerousness” of a defendant in making bail choices for these accused of significant felonies.
Legislative leaders haven’t responded to Ms. Hochul’s proposals, however have stated that they have been open to discussions at the same time as they insisted that the 2019 modifications to the bail regulation had nothing to do with latest will increase in crime.
“Can we cease blaming bail reform when the solar comes up?” Mr. Heastie stated in January.
Issues over spending
Ms. Hochul’s monetary plan was extra fiscally conservative than the Legislature’s proposals, putting an emphasis on utilizing the inflow of pandemic support from the federal authorities to finance one-time infusions of cash reasonably than new packages.
Fiscal watchdogs, who had praised Ms. Hochul for steering a major quantity of funds into the state’s reserves, raised issues in regards to the state’s skill to pay for the brand new recurring bills proposed by Democratic lawmakers as soon as federal support dried up. Whereas Ms. Hochul’s monetary plan projected balanced budgets by 2027, the legislative proposals left extra unclear its results on future budgets.
Republicans, citing the financial uncertainty that inflation has induced, solid the legislative proposals as examples of out-of-control spending by Democrats that did little to handle rising costs and will probably result in larger taxes down the street.
“That is the very definition of an election-year finances,” stated State Senator Peter Oberacker, a Republican from Otsego County in Central New York. “It’s not fiscally accountable.”
Democrats argued that the spending they have been proposing in areas round schooling and rising wages amounted to investments that might assist strengthen the financial standing of New Yorkers in the long term.
Additionally they famous different measures that would offer quick aid to some New Yorkers, equivalent to fast-tracking an current middle-class tax credit score, a transfer that Ms. Hochul helps.
A gasoline tax vacation? $1 billion for on line casino licenses?
With gasoline costs skyrocketing, Senate Democrats proposed a plan to droop a state tax on gasoline for eight months, from Might 1 by Dec. 31, a transfer additionally supported by Republicans to offer aid to drivers on the gasoline pump.
Whereas the Meeting didn’t put forth an analogous proposal, Mr. Heastie stated he was “open” to a dialogue on suspending the gasoline tax, which is utilized in New York to assist finance mass transit and street repairs.
Ms. Hochul has expressed some apprehension a couple of gasoline tax vacation, saying she was discussing it together with her finances officers to ensure it had a tangible affect for shoppers at the same time as gasoline costs proceed to go up.
Ms. Hochul can also be pushing to fast-track the issuance of three new on line casino licenses this 12 months, possible within the downstate space. Senate Democrats at the moment are proposing a hefty price ticket for the coveted licenses: a minimal of $1 billion for every license, a possible boon for state coffers.
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New York
Senator Menendez’s Resignation Letter
![Senator Menendez’s Resignation Letter Senator Menendez’s Resignation Letter](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/07/23/doc-4ddf28bf-7055-4adb-bc76-b-promo/doc-4ddf28bf-7055-4adb-bc76-b-promo-facebookJumbo.png)
ROBERT MENENDEZ
NEW JERSEY
COMMITTEES:
BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN
AFFAIRS
FINANCE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
The Honorable Phil Murphy
Governor of New Jersey
Office of the Governor
Trenton, N.J. 08625
Dear Governor Murphy,
United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-3005
July 23, 2024
528 SENATE HART OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
(202) 224-4744
210 HUDSON STREET
HARBORSIDE 3, SUITE #1000
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07311
(973) 645-3030
208 WHITE HORSE PIKE
SUITE 18-19
BARRINGTON, NJ 08007
(856) 757-5353
This is to advise you that I will be resigning from my office as the United States Senator from
New Jersey, effective on the close of business on August 20, 2024.
This will give time for my staff to transition to other possibilities, transfer constituent files that
are pending, allow for an orderly process to choose an interim replacement, and for me to close
out my Senate affairs.
While I fully intend to appeal the jury’s verdict, all the way and including to the Supreme Court,
I do not want the Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will detract from its important
work. Furthermore, I cannot preserve my rights upon a successful appeal, because factual matters
before the ethics committee are not privileged. This is evidenced by the Committee’s Staff
Director and Chief Counsel being called to testify at my trial.
I am proud of the many accomplishments I’ve had on behalf of New Jersey, such as leading the
federal effort for Superstorm Sandy recovery, preserving and funding Gateway and leading the
federal efforts to help save our hospitals, State and municipalities, as well as New Jersey families
through a once in a century COVID pandemic. These successes led you, Governor, to call me the
“Indispensable Senator.”
I thank the citizens of New Jersey for the extraordinary privilege of representing them in the
United States Senate.
Sincerely,
Pabet Menang.
Robert Menendez
United States Senator
New Jersey
cc: The Honorable Kamala Harris, President of the Senate
The Honorable Ann Berry, Secretary of the Senate
New York
How Well Do You Know Literary Brooklyn?
![How Well Do You Know Literary Brooklyn? How Well Do You Know Literary Brooklyn?](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/07/22/books/review/22Quiz-Brooklyn/22Quiz-Brooklyn-facebookJumbo.jpg)
A strong sense of place can deeply influence a story, and in some cases, the setting can even feel like a character itself. This week’s literary geography quiz celebrates Brooklyn and novels set around the bustling borough. To play, just make your selection in the multiple-choice list and the correct answer will be revealed. Links to the books will be listed at the end of the quiz if you’d like to do further reading.
New York
See How Your Subway Service May Suffer Without Congestion Pricing
![See How Your Subway Service May Suffer Without Congestion Pricing See How Your Subway Service May Suffer Without Congestion Pricing](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/07/10/multimedia/2024-06-28-subway-projects-index/2024-06-28-subway-projects-index-facebookJumbo-v4.png)
After Gov. Kathy Hochul halted New York City’s congestion pricing program last month, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority cut $16.5 billion worth of planned upgrades to the city’s vast transit network, mostly to account for the loss of funding that was tied to revenue from the toll.
Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Notes: The chart shows the $28.5 billion in uncommitted funds in the M.T.A.’s 2020-24 capital program; an additional $27 billion had already been committed.
The impact of the congestion pricing suspension on the M.T.A.’s funds for capital projects
Projects were cut from each part of New York City’s transit system, which is the largest in North America and is used by millions of people every day. The projects included elevator and ramp installations that would make subway stations accessible for people with disabilities, structural repairs to aging infrastructure and upgrades to 1930s-era signals that regularly cause delays.
Here are some of the subway projects the authority says it has shelved:
The cuts announced by the M.T.A. — the state agency that runs the subway, bus and commuter rail lines — will also affect transit outside the subway system. The authority has postponed the purchase of more than 250 electric buses and charging infrastructure at bus depots, as well as upgrades to regional rails and a ramp reconstruction on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
The $12 billion remaining in the M.T.A.’s capital funds will be spent on projects the authority considers the most urgent, like track replacements and repairs to power substations. It will also replace some of the “least reliable” subway and railway cars, the authority said in a report.
All told, there are 92 subway stations that will not get planned improvements, including 22 stations that will not get new elevators or ramps; 10 that will not get upgrades like structural repairs, platform replacements and new barriers between platforms and tracks; and 71 that will not get upgrades to their public announcement systems.
Below is a list of the subway stations where upgrades have been put on hold, based on what the M.T.A. has detailed so far:
Projects on hold at 41 stations in Brooklyn:
Union St R
- upgrade to public announcement system
4 Av-9 St R
- upgrade to public announcement system
36 St D N R
- upgrade to public announcement system
59 St N R
- upgrade to public announcement system
Bergen St F G
- upgrade to public announcement system
15 St-Prospect Park F G
- upgrade to public announcement system
Church Av F G
- upgrade to public announcement system
Avenue X F
- upgrade to public announcement system
Neptune Av F
- upgrade to public announcement system
- elevator or ramp installation
- platform or waiting area replacement
Jay St-MetroTech A C F
- upgrade to public announcement system
Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts A C G
- upgrade to public announcement system
- elevator or ramp installation
Franklin Av C
- upgrade to public announcement system
Nostrand Av A C
- upgrade to public announcement system
- elevator or ramp installation
Utica Av A C
- upgrade to public announcement system
Euclid Av A C
- upgrade to public announcement system
7 Av B Q
- upgrade to public announcement system
Kings Hwy B Q
- upgrade to public announcement system
Avenue U Q
- upgrade to public announcement system
Neck Rd Q
- upgrade to public announcement system
Sheepshead Bay B Q
- upgrade to public announcement system
Brighton Beach B Q
- upgrade to public announcement system
Ocean Pkwy Q
- upgrade to public announcement system
W 8 St-NY Aquarium F Q
- upgrade to public announcement system
Jefferson St L
- elevator or ramp installation
Nevins St 2 3 4 5
- platform or waiting area replacement
Crescent St J Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
Norwood Av J Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
Cleveland St J
- upgrade to public announcement system
Van Siclen Av J Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
Alabama Av J
- upgrade to public announcement system
Chauncey St J Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
Halsey St J
- upgrade to public announcement system
Gates Av J Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
Kosciuszko St J
- upgrade to public announcement system
Myrtle Av J M Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
Flushing Av J M
- upgrade to public announcement system
Lorimer St J M
- upgrade to public announcement system
Hewes St J M
- upgrade to public announcement system
Marcy Av J M Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
Kings Hwy N
- elevator or ramp installation
18 Av D
- elevator or ramp installation
Projects on hold at 9 stations in the Bronx:
Norwood-205 St D
- upgrade to public announcement system
Bedford Park Blvd B D
- upgrade to public announcement system
Kingsbridge Rd B D
- upgrade to public announcement system
Fordham Rd B D
- upgrade to public announcement system
Tremont Av B D
- upgrade to public announcement system
161 St-Yankee Stadium B D
- upgrade to public announcement system
Wakefield-241 St 2
- elevator or ramp installation
Brook Av 6
- elevator or ramp installation
- repairs for structural or aesthetic issues
3 Av-138 St 6
- elevator or ramp installation
- repairs for structural or aesthetic issues
Projects on hold at 27 stations in Manhattan:
Roosevelt Island F
- upgrade to public announcement system
Lexington Av/63 St F Q
- upgrade to public announcement system
47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr B D F M
- upgrade to public announcement system
42 St-Bryant Pk B D F M
- upgrade to public announcement system
- elevator or ramp installation
34 St-Herald Sq B D F M
- upgrade to public announcement system
Broadway-Lafayette St B D F M
- upgrade to public announcement system
2 Av F
- upgrade to public announcement system
Delancey St-Essex St F
- upgrade to public announcement system
- elevator or ramp installation
East Broadway F
- upgrade to public announcement system
190 St A
- repairs for structural or aesthetic issues
145 St A C B D
- elevator or ramp installation
W 4 St-Wash Sq A C E
- upgrade to public announcement system
Canal St A C E
- upgrade to public announcement system
Chambers St A C
- upgrade to public announcement system
World Trade Center E
- upgrade to public announcement system
Lexington Av/59 St N R W
- elevator or ramp installation
168 St 1
- elevator or ramp installation
3 Av L
- new fencing between platform and track
5 Av 7
- elevator or ramp installation
Times Sq-42 St 7
- new fencing between platform and track
Delancey St-Essex St J M Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
- elevator or ramp installation
Canal St J Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
Chambers St J Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
- repairs for structural or aesthetic issues
Broad St J Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
110 St 6
- elevator or ramp installation
59 St 4 5 6
- elevator or ramp installation
7 Av B D E
- elevator or ramp installation
Projects on hold at 14 stations in Queens:
21 St-Queensbridge F
- upgrade to public announcement system
111 St J
- upgrade to public announcement system
75 St-Elderts Ln J Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd A
- upgrade to public announcement system
Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer E J Z
- upgrade to public announcement system
Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport E J Z
- new fencing between platform and track
Jamaica-Van Wyck E
- upgrade to public announcement system
Parsons Blvd F
- elevator or ramp installation
Sutphin Blvd F
- upgrade to public announcement system
Briarwood E F
- elevator or ramp installation
- repairs for structural or aesthetic issues
Howard Beach-JFK Airport A
- upgrade to public announcement system
Broad Channel A S
- upgrade to public announcement system
Far Rockaway-Mott Av A
- upgrade to public announcement system
Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St A S
- upgrade to public announcement system
Projects on hold at 1 station in Staten Island:
Clifton SIR
- elevator or ramp installation
-
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