Saturday, April 9, 2022

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Statement on New York State Budget for SFY 2022-23


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"The passing of the state budget is welcome news. While jobs are rebounding in many industries, our economic recovery lags the nation, and risks have expanded as the budget process has unfolded, with growing geopolitical uncertainty surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and persistently high inflation. In addition, New Yorkers continue to grapple with the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic.

"I am pleased to see the budget will provide tax relief and support to help middle-class New Yorkers and small businesses, boost wages for health care workers, make green investments and extend relief programs to assist those affected by the pandemic.

"While it’s good news the budget maintains a commitment to building up reserves, many new programs will add recurring spending, and it is yet unclear to what extent they are supported by recurring revenues. Using temporary federal relief aid to fund new spending programs could create a “fiscal cliff” in the future. We must remember this influx of federal funding is finite. Bolstering state savings through the formal rainy day fund reserves is essential for sustaining services that New Yorkers rely on and improving the state’s long-term fiscal standing.

"My office will analyze the final enacted budget and release a detailed analysis in the coming weeks."

Senior Leader Of Massive No Fault Automobile Insurance Bribery Scheme Sentenced To 7 Years In Prison


Jelani Wray Paid Bribes To 911 Operators In Exchange For Confidential Accident Victim Information, Directed Accident Victims to an Illegal Medical Clinic that He Operated, and Received Millions of Dollars in Compensation for his Role in the Scheme. 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JELANI WRAY, a senior leader of a conspiracy in which he and his co-conspirators bribed 911 operators, medical personnel, and police officers for the confidential information of tens of thousands of motor vehicle accident victims, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison.  WRAY was sentenced by United States District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.  He previously pled guilty on October 12, 2021, to making payments of bribes and gratuities to an agent of a federally funded organization. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Jelani Wray and the other leaders of this scheme brazenly exploited New York’s no fault automobile insurance laws by lining their pockets with millions of dollars in illegal profits.  In the process, they corrupted 911 operators, hospital workers and police officers; injured accident victims by depriving them of a choice in medical providers and attorneys, lying to them, and subjecting these victims to unwanted medical treatments; and caused licensed drivers in the state of New York to suffer higher insurance premiums by enabling the submission of millions of dollars in false medical reimbursement claims.  Wray and his coconspirators will now pay for their crimes, and this Office will never stop pursuing those who seek to profit by corrupting our public institutions.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment, the Superseding Information, court filings, and statements made in court:

JELANI WRAY was one of several leaders of a massive no fault automobile insurance scheme spanning New York and New Jersey from at least in or about 2013 through in or about 2019.  As part of the scheme, WRAY personally bribed and arranged for others to bribe 911 operators, medical personnel, and police officers for the confidential information of tens of thousands of motor vehicle accident victims.  Using this information, WRAY and his co-conspirators contacted victims, lied to them, and steered them to clinics and lawyers handpicked by WRAY and his associates.  These clinics and lawyers then paid WRAY and his associates kickbacks for these referrals, which they distributed to coconspirators as payments and bribes.

 Specifically, in approximately 2013, while WRAY was working as the manager of a medical clinic, WRAY and a coconspirator, ANTHONY ROSE, a/k/a “Todd Chambers,” reached an agreement that for each patient ROSE sent to the clinic, WRAY would pay him approximately $2,000 to $3,000 in illegal referral fees.

Thereafter, in or about 2016, WRAY began to recruit and acquire his own “lead sources,” which were individuals willing to sell the confidential information of motor vehicle accident victims.  From approximately 2016 through in or about December 2017, WRAY bribed at least five NYPD 911 operators to provide him with the names and numbers of motor vehicle accident victims.  WRAY then transferred this information to an illegal call center that was operated by ROSE and funded in part by WRAY.  ROSE’s call center called the unsuspecting accident victims, lied to them, and then steered them to particular clinics and lawyers that were part of ROSE and WRAY’s illegal referral network.  The clinics and lawyers then paid ROSE and WRAY kickbacks by cash and check.  WRAY also similarly recruited attorneys and clinics to participate in this portion of the scheme.

Among other things, WRAY concealed his bribery of the 911 operators by providing them with prepaid “burner” phones, using encrypted messaging applications to communicate with them, and by assigning them code names.  ROSE and WRAY also received further kickbacks for steering accident victims to a particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facility.  In addition, in or about 2017, ROSE, WRAY, a paralegal (“Paralegal-1”), and a physician (“Physician-1”) agreed to open a medical clinic in the Bronx (“Clinic-1”). WRAY funded Clinic-1, steered accident victims to Clinic-1, and exercised substantial control over its medical operations, which is illegal under New York law, because WRAY is not a physician. 

WRAY received millions of dollars in illegal profits from his involvement in the various aspects of this scheme.  In addition to his prison sentence, WRAY, 37 of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to 3 years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to forfeit $2,200,000 and pay a fine of $250,000.

The United States Attorney’s Office charged JELANI WRAY and 26 other defendants in November 2019.  All 27 defendants admitted guilt; 25 of 27 defendants pleaded guilty and the remaining two defendants had their prosecutions deferred.  WRAY is the sixteenth defendant to have been sentenced; ten defendants have been sentenced to serve time in prison.  The principal aspects of each defendant’s sentence are reflected in the chart below.  To date, the defendants have also been ordered to pay approximately $5 million in forfeiture from this scheme. 

Mr. Williams praised the work of the FBI, the New York State Police, the New York City Police Department, the New York City Department of Financial Services, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. 

Defendant

Age

Hometown

Principal Aspects of  Sentence

 

JELANI WRAY,

a/k/a “Lani,”

a/k/a “J.R.” 

37

Brooklyn, NY

 

  • 7 years prison
  • 3 years supervised release
  • $250,000 fine
  • $2,200,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

NATHANIEL COLES,

a/k/a “Nat”

 

69

Cortlandt Manor, NY

 

  • 5 years prison
  • 3 years supervised release
  • $100,000 fine
  • $2,594,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

ANTHONY ROSE, Jr.,

a/k/a “Sean Wells”

34

Cambria Heights, NY

 

  • 2 years prison
  • 2 years supervised release
  • $69,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

CHRISTINA GARCIA,

a/k/a “Cindy”

37

Jersey City, NJ

 

  • 366 days prison
  • 3 years supervised release
  • $3,000 fine
  • $30,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

LEON BLUE,

a/k/a “Boochie”

56

Brooklyn, NY

 

  • Time served prison (approx. two years)
  • 3 years supervised release
  • $8,310 forfeiture ordered

 

 

CLARENCE FACEY,

a/k/a “Face”

36

Brooklyn, NY

 

  • 6 months prison
  • 2 years supervised release
  • $25,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

ANGELA MELECIO,

a/k/a “Angie,”

a/k/a “P5”

 

43

Amityville, NY

 

  • Time served prison
  • 3 years supervised release, with 6 months’ home confinement
  • 250 hrs. community service
  • $8,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

STEPHANIE PASCAL,

a/k/a “Steph,”

a/k/a “P2”

49

Brooklyn, NY

  • Time served prison
  • 2 years supervised release
  • $2,000 forfeiture ordered

 

EDWARD ABAYEV,

a/k/a “Eddie”

 

54

 

Staten Island, NY

 

  • 366 days prison
  • 3 years supervised release
  • $20,000 fine
  • $18,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

TONJA LEWIS,

a/k/a “J1”

 

55

Belleville, NJ

 

  • Time served prison
  • 2 years supervised release
  • 250 hrs. community service
  • $8,310 forfeiture ordered

 

 

BERLISA BRYAN,

a/k/a “Lisa”

 

55

Edison, NJ

 

  • Time served prison
  • 3 years supervised release
  • 250 hrs. community service
  • $20,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

ANGELA MYERS,

a/k/a “Angie”

 

40

Brooklyn, NY

 

  • Time served prison
  • 2 years supervised release
  • 250 hrs. community service
  • $10,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

SHAKEEMA FOSTER

 

29

Brooklyn, NY

 

  • Time served prison
  • 2 years supervised release
  • 250 hrs. community service
  • $3,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

KOURTNEI WILLIAMS

 

35

Brooklyn, NY

 

 

  • 6 months prison
  • 2 years supervised release
  • $20,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

 

MAKKAH SHABAZZ, a/k/a “Mecca”

 

45

Long Island City, NY

 

  • 6 months prison
  • 2 years supervised release
  • $36,000 forfeiture ordered

 

 

YANIRIS DELEON, a/k/a “Jen”

             

32

New York, NY

  • 6 months prison
  • 2 years supervised release
  • $10,000 forfeiture ordered

Governor Hochul Announces Sale of Alcoholic Beverages 'To-Go' Now Legal as Part of FY 2023 Budget

 A cocktail is seen on a bar top.

Legislation Authorizes Sale of Alcoholic Beverages 'To-Go' for Off-Premises Consumption for Three Years   

Budget Creates a Temporary State Commission to Examine Reforms to Modernize the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law in New York State   


 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that legislation allowing takeout drinks has become law as part of the FY 2023 State Budget. To-go drinks were a critical revenue stream for New York's bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping many small businesses across the state pay their rent or mortgages. This legislation allows, for a period of three years, bars and restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages "to-go" for off-premises consumption under appropriate limitations.  

"New York’s nightlife and hospitality industry is second to none, and by allowing the sale of to-go drinks we will continue to support the industry’s recovery from the pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "Cheers to both Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie for their help in making this change, which will drive business for the hospitality industry and be a lifeline, helping them comeback stronger than before.” 

The new policy addresses the concerns of small business owners operating liquor stores by prohibiting bottle sales and requiring food orders and sealed containers. Additionally, concerns of public consumption are addressed by making clear in the law that all to-go containers must comply with municipal open container laws. The Enacted Budget also calls for a comprehensive look at all Alcohol and Beverage Control laws and creates a review commission to report on recommended improvements for businesses and consumers.  

This legislation amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to authorize restaurants and bars licensed to sell liquor or wine for on-premises consumption to also sell these products for off-premises consumption. The legislation, which prohibits sales by the bottle, permits the sale of drinks to-go with the order of a substantial food item, provided the alcoholic beverage is sold in a sealed container and sold during the county closing hours in effect where the business operates. Additionally, the licensee, or the agent or employee of the licensee making the delivery, will also be responsible for ensuring the consumer has a valid ID and for verifying the consumer’s identity and age at the time of delivery.     

The FY 2023 State Budget also creates the Commission to Study Reform of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, a temporary state commission tasked with analyzing and making recommendations to modernize and simplify the state’s alcohol laws and regulations. The Commission will address issues including but not limited to:  

  • The industry’s economic impact on the state; 
  • Changes in the law and/or SLA resources to speed license application processing; 
  • Laws addressing underage consumption; and 
  • Industry reform and modernization proposals as voted on by industry stakeholders.   

This commission will consist of 21 members, including the Chairman of the State Liquor Authority who shall serve as the Chair of the Commission, the Commissioner of the Department of Tax and Finance or their representative, the Superintendent of the State Police or their representative, the Director of the Division of the Budget or their representative, the Chief Executive Officer of the Empire State Development or their representative, and 16 additional members appointed by the Governor and Legislature. A report from the Commission shall be issued no later than May 1, 2023.       

In addition, the FY 2023 State Budget also includes a number of common-sense changes to modernize the ABC Law, including:   

  • Allowing liquor stores to be open Christmas day, should they choose;  
  • Allowing veteran’s organizations, such as Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Posts, to obtain licenses when a police officer serves as an officer of the organization;    
  • Allowing applicants to provide required notice to their municipality or community board via email, if the municipality or community board elects to accept notice that way; and 
  • Permitting farm manufacturers more flexibility by allowing food trucks or other such businesses to operate on their premises. 

DEC NOW HIRING FOR 2022 CAMPING AND SUMMER RECREATION SEASON

 

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Seasonal Recreation Staff Opportunities Available

 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the availability of employment opportunities for the summer recreational season. Individuals looking for seasonal summer employment who enjoy the outdoors are encouraged to learn more about opportunities to work at DEC facilities.

DEC operates 52 public campgrounds and five day use areas throughout the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. DEC hires more than 500 seasonal employees to provide a variety of services throughout the summer season. All levels of experience and skill sets are needed, ranging from supervisors, lifeguards, security, maintenance, cleaning staff, and booth workers. Some positions start as early as May, but varying start dates can be accommodated based on school and work schedules.

Individuals at least 16 years old interested in summer lifeguarding positions at DEC facilities must complete the waterfront lifeguard course to be considered for employment and a no-cost waterfront lifeguard course will be offered April 19 – 22, in Gloversville, Fulton County. The free lifeguard course includes certification in required lifeguarding and waterfront skills, CPR/AED for professional rescuers, and first aid.

All applicants for seasonal summer employment must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Those interested in summer employment with DEC or looking for more information should visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/about/726.html, call (518) 457-2500 Ext. #1, or email campinfo@dec.ny.gov.

Attorney General James Takes Action to Force Cushman & Wakefield to Comply With Investigation into Donald J. Trump

 

Motion to Compel Filed After Cushman & Wakefield Refuses to Respond to Subpoenas Related to Appraisal Work for the Trump Organization

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today filed a motion to compel Cushman & Wakefield to comply with subpoenas related to her office’s ongoing civil investigation into Donald J. Trump and the Trump Organization’s financial dealings. Cushman & Wakefield (Cushman) is a publicly traded, global real estate firm with billions of dollars in annual revenue that provided real estate services in connection with Trump Organization properties for many years. Those services included appraisals and brokerage services for properties that are relevant to the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) investigation.

Cushman has refused to comply with subpoenas for information related to its appraisals of three specific Trump-owned properties — the Seven Springs Estate, Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles, and 40 Wall Street — and information about Cushman’s larger business relationship with the Trump Organization. As outlined in the motion to compel filed in New York County State Supreme Court, Cushman’s refusal to comply is baseless, and OAG has taken action today to force its compliance.

“Cushman & Wakefield’s work for the Trump Organization is significant to our ongoing investigation into Donald J. Trump and the Trump Organization’s financial practices,” said Attorney General James. “There should be no doubt that information about Cushman’s appraisal work for the Trump Organization is relevant to our efforts and that Cushman — like any other party — cannot defy a lawful subpoena because no one is above the law.”

40 Wall Street

Cushman issued multiple appraisals of 40 Wall Street in downtown Manhattan. Cushman issued three appraisals to Capital One Bank between 2010 and 2012, valuing the Trump Organization’s interest in the property between $200 million and $220 million. In 2015, that same Cushman team prepared another appraisal on the property for Ladder Capital Finance LLC, this time, valuing the building at $550 million. That appraisal was used by the Trump Organization to secure a loan. The OAG is seeking additional information related to these appraisals.

Seven Springs Estate and Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles

As outlined in a January 2022 filing by OAG, evidence indicates that the Trump Organization submitted fraudulent or misleading valuations of conservation easements to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), specifically related to Seven Springs (in Westchester County, NY) and Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles (in Los Angeles County, CA). Those valuations were used to obtain tax deductions and involved appraisals issued by Cushman. Through its subpoenas, OAG is seeking additional information from Cushman related to those appraisals.

The OAG’s papers filed today also describe other appraisals prepared by Cushman, brokerage services provided by Cushman to the Trump Organization, and other ties between the Trump Organization and Cushman personnel — further illustrating the connection between the matters that have been subpoenaed and OAG’s ongoing investigation.

memorandum of law and supplemental verified petition were filed in this matter.

Two Leaders Of Violent Puerto Rico Drug Cartel That Committed Dozens Of Murders And Bribed Police Officers Convicted At Trial

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the conviction of JULIO MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO, a/k/a “Chino,” and LUIS BLONDET for racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, murder while engaged in a drug crime, and murder through the use of a firearm.  After less than a day of deliberations, the unanimous jury convicted MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO and BLONDET yesterday of every count presented to the jury after a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Yesterday’s verdict brings justice for the more than a dozen victims of the defendants’ years-long campaign of brutal violence.  Using murder after murder and bribery of corrupt Puerto Rico police officers, the defendants profited from distributing tons of cocaine throughout Puerto Rico and other places in the United States, including drugs sold out of a children’s daycare center in the Bronx. Thanks to the tremendous work of our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors in the Southern District of New York, the defendants’ reign of terror has ended.”

According to the Indictment and the evidence at trial:

MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO was one of the founding fathers of La Organization de Narcotraficantes Unidos, or La ONU, a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, from in or about 2004 to in or about 2016, dozens of murders, the bribery of corrupt police officers in Puerto Rico, and the distribution of thousands of kilograms of cocaine, including the shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York. Cocaine supplied by La ONU was distributed in New York City, including out of a children’s daycare center in the Bronx. BLONDET was a member of La ONU and one of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO’s closest allies.

On or about April 9, 2005, BLONDET murdered Crystal Martinez-Ramirez. After Martinez-Ramirez refused BLONDET’s advances, BLONDET shot Martinez-Ramirez in the head twice and dumped her body on a street corner in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

On or about December 28, 2006, Israel Crespo-Cotto was murdered on the orders of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO because Crespo-Cotto was believed to be cooperating with law enforcement. MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO’s assassins killed Crespo-Cotto, a double amputee, while he was sitting in his wheelchair in the Manuel A. Perez public housing projects in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Crespo-Cotto was shot 24 times.

On or about March 20, 2009, Carlos Barbosa was murdered on the orders of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO because Barbosa was believed to be plotting to seize power from MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO.  Barbosa was shot over a dozen times while getting his hair cut at a barbershop in Levittown, Puerto Rico.

In addition, evidence was presented at trial of MARRQUEZ-ALEJANDRO and BLONDET ordering, committing, or otherwise participating in more than a dozen other murders, some of which include:

On or about May 9, 2007, members of La ONU, including MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO,  hired corrupt Puerto Rico police officers to participate in the murder of Anthony Castro-Carrillo in Carolina, Puerto Rico, in exchange for a cash bonus.  Members of La ONU and two corrupt cops stormed Castro-Carrillo’s residence while dressed as police officers and shot and killed him.

MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO, BLONDET, and other members of La ONU arranged for the murder of Hommysan Cariño-Bruno, a leader of a rival drug organization, paying a driver to kill Cariño-Bruno and providing a firearm.  Cariño-Bruno was shot and killed while inside a van on or about April 29, 2008, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

On or about November 27, 2009, Emanuel Correa Romero, a/k/a “Oreo,” was murdered on the orders of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO.  Members of La ONU beat Correa Romero until he appeared dead.  After the assault, members of La ONU placed Correa Romero’s body into a suitcase, and later reported back that they shot the suitcase dozens of times and then lit it on fire.

MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO, 52, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and BLONDET, 47, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, were returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following the return of the verdict. MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO and BLONDET were convicted of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum of life in prison. With respect to the murder of Crystal Martinez-Ramirez, BLONDET was convicted of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, and murder through the use of a firearm, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed. With respect to the murders of Israel-Crespo-Cotto and Carlos Barbosa, MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO was convicted of two counts of murder in aid of racketeering, each of which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison; two counts of murder while engaged in a drug crime, each of which carries a mandatory minimum of twenty years in prison and a maximum of life in prison; and two counts of murder through the use of a firearm, each of which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Governor Hochul Announces Highlights of Historic FY 2023 New York State Budget

 Governor Hochul delivers remarks about the FY 2023 Budget.

Record Investments in Healthcare, Education, Housing, Infrastructure, and the Environment

Increases State Reserves to 15 Percent of State Operating Funds Spending by 2025

Strengthens Public Safety and Government Ethics Oversight


 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the highlights of the historic FY 2023 Budget, which blends record investments into the long-term future of New York along with significant one-time aid to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented fiscal responsibility. This historic blueprint meets the once-in-a-generation moment to invest in New Yorkers by rebuilding the healthcare economy, building the education system of the future, reducing the tax burden for those who need it most, improving the state's transportation and housing infrastructure, combating climate change, creating jobs, and improving public safety and ethic oversight in government. 

In pairing bold vision with fiscal responsibility, the Budget brings the State's reserves to 15 percent of State Operating Funds spending by 2025 - a level never seen before. Planned deposits are: $5 billion in FY 2022, $5.1 billion in FY 2023, $2.5 billion in FY 2024 and $2.9 billion in FY 2025. 

When I was sworn in, I promised that every decision I make will go through one lens: is it the best deal for New Yorkers?” Governor Hochul said. “This budget fulfills that promise and provides us with a blueprint for the short- and long-term future. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to not just bring relief to families and put more money in people's pockets today, but also to make historic investments in New Yorkers for years ahead. I thank Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie for their hard work and collaboration in putting together this agreement that will usher in a new era of a stronger, safer, more prosperous New York State.”  

Highlights of the FY 2023 Budget include:

Rebuilding Our Healthcare Economy to Provide Care for More New Yorkers

The budget agreement includes a historic $20 billion multi-year healthcare investment in the FY 2023 State Budget. Creating better working conditions for healthcare workers will be a priority, with $1.2 billion dedicated to frontline healthcare worker bonuses, as well as a $4.5 billion multi-year investment in payment reform. Other landmark investments include $2.4 billion being directed to improving healthcare infrastructure and $3.9 billion in funding to provide aid to hospitals struggling financially from the COVID-19 pandemic. Another $7.7 billion will be spent over four years to increase the home care worker minimum wage by $3. These groundbreaking investments will work together to improve working conditions and grow the workforce by 20 percent over the next five years, and improve the healthcare industry for all New Yorkers. 

Building the Education System of the Future

The State Budget provides unprecedented support to build the education system of the future with $31.5 billion in total School Aid for School Year 2023, the highest level of State aid ever. This investment represents a year-to-year increase of $2.1 billion (7.2 percentcompared to School Year 2022, including a $1.5 billion Foundation Aid increase, $125 million of additional funding for full-day prekindergarten, and a $451 million increase in all other School Aid programs. The Budget also includes transformative investments in SUNY and CUNY with more than $500 million in additional support of the systems' operations and $2.2 billion to fund capital projects on SUNY and CUNY campuses. Additionally, it includes $150 million to expand TAP, a critical lifeline for students that is currently largely unavailable to those studying part time, to cover students enrolled in six or more credits of study at a SUNY, CUNY, or not-for-profit independent college. This investment in TAP is estimated to provide a life changing opportunity to 75,000 additional New York students annually. 

$32.8 Billion for Transportation Infrastructure

The Budget includes a new historic $32.8 billion five-year capital plan for programs and proposed projects administered by the New York State Department of Transportation. The adoption of this new capital plan, the largest investment ever in the state's transportation infrastructure, represents a $9.4 billion (40.2 percentincrease over the prior five-year plan period. The new transportation plan prioritizes and refocuses investments on State and local roads and bridges in smaller municipalities; makes our state's communities more resilient to extreme weather events; and incorporates strategic investments to reconnect neighborhoods and facilitate regional economic growth, while creating thousands of new jobs. 

Historic Investment in Clean Energy Infrastructure, Climate Resiliency and Preservation

The Budget will authorize an additional $1.2 billion for the landmark Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, bringing the total investment to $4.2 billion. In addition to the Bond Act, the Budget contains a record $400 million Environmental Protection Fund to support climate change mitigation projects, improve agricultural resources, protect our water sources, advance conservation efforts, and provide recreational opportunities for all New Yorkers, as well as a $500 million investment to develop the State's offshore wind supply chains and port infrastructure. This nation-leading initiative will create 2,000 jobs in a growing industry, while helping to make New York the offshore wind capital of the country for years to come. The Budget also helps protect public health and advances environmental and economic restoration by extending and enhancing New York's successful Brownfield Cleanup Program and includes an additional $500 million in clean water infrastructure funding, bringing the State's total clean water investment to $4.5 billion since 2017.

$25 Billion Comprehensive Housing Plan

The Budget will advance a bold, comprehensive, $25 billion, five-year housing plan that tackles systemic inequities by creating and preserving 100,000 affordable homes, including 10,000 homes with support services for vulnerable populations. This plan also electrifies an additional 50,000 homes as part of the State's plan to electrify one million homes and make another one million electrification-ready. Funding includes $5.7 billion in capital resources, $8.8 billion in State and Federal tax credits and other federal allocations, and $11 billion to support the operation of shelters and supportive housing units and to provide rental subsidies. 

Expanding Access to Child Care

The Budget reinforces Governor Hochul's commitment to giving children the best possible chance at success and parents the ability to participate and advance in the workforce by investing $7 billion over four years, more than doubling New York's support for child care. The Budget increases the income eligibility threshold for child care subsidies to 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($83,250 for a family of four), extending eligibility to more than half of young children in New York. The Budget also expands access to high quality child care by increasing the child care market rate to include 80 percent of providers. This change will broaden the child care options available to subsidy families while also increasing reimbursements for child care providers. To further support providers, the backbone of the industry, the Budget invests $343 million provide a second round of provider stabilization grants. These grants will go directly to providers and their employees, with 75 percent of the grants dedicated to workforce support, including wage increases, bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and contributions to staff retirement plans and health insurance costs. 

Recovering from the Pandemic

The Budget supports programs that are a lifeline for vulnerable New Yorkers as the global pandemic made plain the fragile connection many have to basic needs. As part of an agreement with the legislature to spend $2 billion in pandemic recovery reserves on one-time investments, the FY 2023 Enacted Budget includes: 

  • $800 million in state funds for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which has so far paid or obligated $2.1 billion for rental arrears, supporting more than 160,000 low and moderate-income households at risk of housing instability;
  • $800 million for hospitals still experiencing financial distress from the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • $250 million in utility arrear assistance;
  • $125 million in homeowner and landlord assistance; and
  • $25 million in other one-time, non-recurring investments.

Protecting Public Safety and Taking Action Against Gun Violence

The Budget includes meaningful and significant changes to our public safety laws to make our state safer, to tackle the pervasive unease many are feeling in our streets, and to make our criminal justice system more fair for all. These changes include: 

  • Allowing judges to set bail for gun charges that were previously subject only to release;
  • Adding factors that judges must consider when setting bail for any bail-eligible offense;
  • Closing problematic loopholes on Raise the Age and Discovery; and
  • Making Kendra's Law more effective.

The Budget also includes $90 million in new resources to support discovery reform implementation and pretrial services. This includes:

  • A $65 million investment in approaches to discovery that ensure public safety, including system-wide coordination, technology, expanded storage capabilities, and administrative support; and
  • $25 million for pretrial services, alternative to incarceration services and reentry programs. These services include reminders and monitoring of court attendance, screening, and referrals for mental health and substance abuse treatment.

The Budget will also include $224 million to fund bold initiatives that will strengthen the gun violence prevention efforts of law enforcement and community-based organizations. Through these comprehensive actions, we will work to restore New Yorkers' sense of safety and community by tripling the state's gun violence intelligence resources, providing $13.1 million to expand the use of Community Stabilization Units,tripling investment in New York's SNUG outreach program, and allocating $20 million to respond to regional needs in the aftermath of gun violence. 

Tax Relief for Middle-Class New Yorkers and Small Businesses

The Budget will accelerate tax relief to middle-class New Yorkers, the backbone of our economy, by providing the fully implemented reduced tax rates beginning in Tax Year 2023, to deliver relief to 6.1 million New Yorkers. Small businesses were hit particularly hard by the pandemic downturn. The Budget also provides significant support for New York's small businesses, including a new capped refundable tax relief program targeting COVID-19-related expenses. The program provides up to $250 million in additional relief to small businesses. The Budget also creates a new property tax relief credit, the Homeowner Tax Rebate Credit, for eligible low- and middle-income households, as well as eligible senior households. Under this program, basic STAR exemption and credit beneficiaries with incomes below $250,000 and Enhanced STAR recipients are eligible for the property tax rebate where the benefit is a percentage of the homeowners' existing STAR benefit. This $2.2 billion investment will help approximately 2.5 million homeowners. 

Suspending Fuel Taxes

To tackle the high cost of fuel, which has surged in recent months as a result of the war in Ukraine, New York will suspend the state sales tax imposed on fuel, the motor fuel tax, and the metropolitan commuter transportation district sales tax imposed on gasoline and highway diesel from June through December 2022, providing an estimated $585 million in relief for working families and businesses statewide. The State will make roads and bridges and public transit entities such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and local transit systems throughout the state whole by replacing estimated lost tax revenue using the State General Fund. Additionally, localities would have the option to cap the price their applicable local sales tax rate is imposed on at $4 per gallon. 

Making Critical Reforms to Restore Faith in Government

The Budget will improve ethics oversight and restore New Yorkers' trust in state government by creating a new entity, the "Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government," to replace the broken Joint Commission on Public Ethics. Nominees for the 11-member Commission will be put forward by the Governor, Senate, Assembly, Comptroller, and Attorney General and then reviewed by law school deans for approval or denial. The Commission will work differently and more transparently than before with special voting requirements eliminated, the body and votes subject to the Open Meetings Law and FOIL, any breach of confidentiality referable to the Attorney General, and improved training of staff and notice to victims who have suffered harm by their perpetrators. The Commission is also required to hold an annual meeting to report on its activities and hear feedback from the public and any findings must be reported in 20 days, down from the previous 45 days. The Budget also includes measures to increase transparency, such as adding domestic partners to be disclosed in financial disclosure forms.

To-Go Cocktails

The Budget will allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages "to go" for off-premises consumption. To-go drinks were a critical revenue stream for New York's bars and restaurants during the pandemic, helping many small businesses across the state pay their rent or mortgages. The Budget will continue supporting the recovery of bars and restaurants. The new policy addresses the concerns of small businesses operating liquor stores - by requiring food orders, sealed containers, and no bottle sales. Additionally, requiring sealed containers, coupled with open container laws in effect in every municipality of the state, will ensure concerns of public drinking are addressed. The Budget also calls for a comprehensive look at all Alcohol and Beverage Control laws to ensure they are applied and updated relating to this new legislation.

Since the governor proposed her Executive Budget in January, additional revenue has been forecast and surplus funds have been realized. The total Budget for FY 2023 is currently estimated at approximately $221 billion, based on a preliminary assessment of the negotiated changes to the Executive proposal. The spending plan will include the $2 billion for pandemic assistance that Governor Hochul indicated was available for use when the Executive Budget was released in January, but had not been included as a spending line-item.