• Brooklyn
  • Manhattan
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Newsletter
Queens County Politics
  • News
    • Activism
    • Arts, Sports & Leisure
    • Community Close-Up
    • Education
    • Election
    • Government
      • City Government
      • State Government
      • Federal Government
    • Legislation/Policy
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Transportation
  • About
  • Contact Us
 
  • News
    • Activism
    • Arts, Sports & Leisure
    • Community Close-Up
    • Education
    • Election
    • Government
      • City Government
      • State Government
      • Federal Government
    • Legislation/Policy
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Transportation
  • About
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Queens County Politics
No Result
View All Result

Queens Lawmakers Share Thoughts On Latest State Budget

Brandon Jordan by Brandon Jordan
April 5, 2018
in Uncategorized
0
4
SHARES
9
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

State lawmakers last week finalized the $168 billion fiscal Year 2019 state budget.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

The deal involved key leaders in Albany, including Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-New York), Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-Suffolk County), and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx). The Governor called this the “most difficult budget that I think we have done.”

“We started with a big deficit,” Cuomo said. “We’re under attack by the federal government. To get it done early was a herculean task.”

 

The budget includes a $1 billion increase for education aid that totals $26.7 billion for the upcoming school year, surcharges on Uber and Lyft rides, an updated sexual harassment policy, and ending cash bail for many defendants.

Assemblymember Ron Kim/Facebook

Queens lawmakers viewed both positives and negatives associated with the budget. State Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Whitestone, Flushing, and Murray Hill), for example, explained there were wins such as more MTA funding yet added that more must be done to restore trust with the public.

“Enacting top-down ethics reform, increased oversight, and greater transparency are some of the many steps we can take to rebuild that trust. With the budget passed, I am confident that Governor Cuomo will focus on passing these reforms in all areas of government, including his own office,” he said.

Assemblyman Brian Barnwell

State Assemblymember Brian Barnwell (D-Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, Maspeth) felt glad about a budget that “secured critical support” for social safety net programs such as Medicaid.

“Importantly, we also enacted tax reform changes to help offset possible problems for New Yorkers who will be impacted by the new federal tax reform bill. The budget also has protections for those middle-class families who are in Unions.  Overall, while we didn’t get everything we could have hoped for, this budget helps seniors, working and middle-class families,” he said.

State Senator Jose Peralta

State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) explained that there were positives with the budget, including expanded education aid.  Furthermore, he lauded efforts to increase funding for NYCHA improvements, legal services for immigrants, and modernizing the MTA’s signal system.

“There is a great deal of good accomplishments in the budget, however, I will continue to push to bring more resources and fight for other issues left off the table, like the DREAM Act, Roe v. Wade, the Child Victims Act, among others,” he said.

Tags: Andrew CuomoBrian Barnwelljose peraltaNYCHAqueensQueens Politicsron kimState Budgettransportation
Previous Post

Queens Lawmakers On The Move April 5

Next Post

Queens Lawmakers On The Move April 6, 2018

Brandon Jordan

Brandon Jordan

Brandon Jordan is a freelance reporter in Queens, NY. He has written for The Nation, City Limits, In These Times, and more.

Next Post
Queens County City Council News

Queens Lawmakers On The Move April 6, 2018

Subscribe to Our Daily Newsletter!

Podcast: Black & Jewish

Chaya and Ariama with the logo for "Black & Jewish" logo
 

Today's Top Read

  • Photo from candidate's Twitter

    Accusations of Anti-Semitism Fly After Tweet Draws Controversy in District 24 Special Election

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • It’s ‘Community First’ for Council Candidate Dr. Neeta Jain

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Pass the Baby Bottle – It Ain’t a Torch but It’ll Do

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Queens Lawmakers on the Move Jan. 15, 2021

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Skinny on Ranked Choice Voting

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Queens County Politics

©2020 Never Sink Media

Check out other local political news!

  • Brooklyn
  • Manhattan

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • About
  • Contact Us

©2020 Never Sink Media