Reaction to Cuomo Speech and $142B Budget
Putting over $3 billion into infrastructure and other investments along with tying $1.1 billion in increased spending with public education reforms were among the highlights to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $142 billion proposed FY 2015-16 proposed budget delivered during his State of the State Address yesterday.
During the speech Cuomo also outlined a broad social agenda including raising the minimum wage, currently $8.75, to $11.50 in New York City and $10.50 in the rest of the state, and naming an independent monitor in fatal episodes involving the police and civilians, with the power to review grand jury deliberations and recommend special prosecutors.
And here are some local lawmaker reactions to his speech and spending plan.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams: “Governor Cuomo has laid out a strong progressive plan for New York in his State of the State address. I appreciate proposals he has made such as increasing our minimum wage, investing in our crumbling infrastructure and reforming our criminal justice system, including raising the age of criminal responsibility and overhauling our grand jury process. Some of these measures, including the passage of Dream Act, are long overdue efforts on which I hope my former colleagues in the State Senate can finally reach consensus.
“I will also be paying close attention to the proposed budget’s impact on Brooklyn, particularly its focus on our local hospitals and health care services. I look forward to working with leaders in Albany on ensuring our borough benefits from this legislative session, including a strengthening of the rent laws that are set to expire this year and deeply impact our ongoing affordable housing crisis.”
Bay Ridge Sen. Marty Golden: “As the budget process begins, I look forward to adopting sound
fiscal policies to insure a balanced and on-time budget. The Governor has outlined his vision for New York, and now the negotiations begin in earnest.
“The needs of the residents of my district have, and continue to be paramount, as I work with my colleagues to develop a State budget. This year, New York State must focus more attention on providing across the board tax relief for New York City so to provide much needed economic relief. We must also improve transportation services here in the City, while working to offset fare hikes, and getting a multi-trip toll discount plan for Brooklyn residents who travel the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
“As a former New York City Police Officer, I am encouraged by the Governor’s indication of support to provide bullet proof windows for our police cars. We must do everything in our power in this budget, and this legislative session, to protect those who protect all New Yorkers.
“We need to create best opportunities to keep the Empire State moving forward. We can’t do that without better funding our schools, incentivize job growth, and lowering taxes. I am hopeful we can achieve results, and more, on behalf of all New Yorkers this year.”
Flatbush Sen. Kevin Parker: “As members of the Senate, we are called upon to invest in community and economic development as corner stones of our growth and prosperity. What greater currency can we seek other than one that improves the quality and parity of education for our children across the rural, suburban, ex-urban and urban communities of every size in our state.”
East Flatbush City Councilmemeber Jumaane Williams: “With gun violence making daily headlines at home and abroad, I am troubled that both President Obama and Governor Cuomo failed to mention this pandemic as a priority. On average, 32 people will be fatally shot in the United States each day, and given that gun violence kills exponentially more Americans in this country than any other public safety threat, our state and federal government cannot wait to act.
“I was pleased to see both leaders deliver speeches that focused on growing the middle class, including Obama’s plan to provide free community college across the nation and Cuomo’s pledge to raise the minimum wage for all New Yorkers. Even though more must be done on a federal level, I was encouraged with Cuomo’s call for anti-poverty measures to bolster mobility for our poor and working class in New York. While I’m glad housing was mentioned by Cuomo, much more detail was needed, and not mentioning the need to renew rent laws in New York City was obvious. I await hearing details of the President’s plan, including costs, and where the Governor intends to get the funding to pay for the plans he laid out.
Cumbo Celebrates Roe V. Wade
Fort Greene City Council Member Laurie Cumbo, Chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues, will join elected officials and women’s rights advocates on the steps of City Hall this morning to mark the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The monumental Supreme Court ruling legalized abortion within the United States.
Cumbo will introduce a pre-considered resolution, in collaboration with Council Members Elizabeth Crowley and Corey Johnson, to call upon the United States Congress to pass legislation that would restrict government interference in a woman’s right to quality healthcare and her right to choose.
