Page 8 - Patrick Orecki News Today

The New York State Assembly and Senate began passing their versions of the state budget Monday. Both houses, led by Democrats, propose spending more than $6 billion above Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul’s spending plan.

The New York State Assembly and Senate began passing their versions of the state budget Monday. Both houses, led by Democrats, propose spending more than $6 billion above Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul’s spending plan.

Governor Kathy Hochul attached some numbers to what she calls her bold agenda to recover from the pandemic and push the state forward. Hochul has the rare advantage of entering the budget season with a surplus due to better tax collections and generous federal aid packages.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget plan includes $10 billion for health care over the next several years, more money for schools and child care, as well as infrastructure projects and a larger environmental bond act proposal.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday released a $216 billion state budget that includes what she said are “pandemic recovery” programs.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget plan spends at a much higher rate than her predecessor's, but she says it's all balanced.

Budget watchdogs are warning, though, that the governor should also be ready for potential economic downturns in an uncertain time.

Bolstered by pandemic relief funds from Washington and higher tax collections, New York's budget situation is in better shape than in recent years. That will help Governor Kathy Hochul fund some of the pledges she made in her State of the State address on childcare, health care pay, tax breaks and more. The budget address is Tuesday.

WSKG Radio will broadcast Gov. Hochul's budget address at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to provide details on some ambitious spending programs announced earlier this month, when she gives her budget address Tuesday at 11 a.m. Budget watchdogs are warning, though, that the governor should also be ready for potential economic downturns in an uncertain time.