Assemblymember Pichardo: 2021-22 state budget provides historic investment in Bronx communities

 

     “For more than a year, Bronx residents have faced the devastating effects of COVID-19 and its economic fallout. From students and teachers who were forced to abruptly shift to remote learning to essential workers on the frontlines, this pandemic has challenged us. To support the Bronx’s recovery, I helped pass a final state budget that provides rent relief for tenants and landlords, protects essential social services our families need, and the financial aid our Bronx youth depend on to get ahead.

 “The state fiscal plan provides $2.3 billion in state and federal aid for tenants and landlords, expands eligibility for relief and sets aside initial funding for those with the most urgent need. The final budget also restores $542 million in proposed Medicaid cuts and protects indigent care pool funding for major public hospitals because we can’t afford to eliminate critical health care support during a pandemic. To help even more students follow their college dreams, the budget increases funding for college opportunity programs by $30 million. I also fought to ensure the budget included the Excluded Workers Fund, a $2.1 billion program to support those who were ineligible for previous relief, including undocumented immigrants. 

    “The 2021-22 state budget delivers critical relief to the New Yorkers who are the backbone of our state’s essential services and have borne the brunt of this pandemic.”