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State Senator Gustavo Rivera (D, WF, 33rd District, The Bronx) joined his colleagues in the Senate Majority to vote for the 10 bills of the 2026 New York State Budget. Senator Rivera voted in favor of all of the bills, including Aid to Localities, Debt Service, Revenue, Capital Projects, State Operations, Legislature and Judiciary, Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation (TEDE), Public Protection and General Government (PPGG), Education, Labor, and Family Assistance (ELFA), and Health and Mental Hygiene (HMH).
BUDGET OVERVIEW
“The reckless actions of the Trump administration to defund critical programs across our state set the stage for a particularly difficult budget this year. I did not anticipate that it would be so delayed by non-monetary policy negotiations that have left us with a single week to conduct the people’s business as legislators. I am grateful to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, my Senate Majority colleagues, and our dedicated staff for patiently working to advance the priorities of working families and to combat the federal government’s attempts to disenfranchise our communities.”
“This year we focused on tough issues: defending our communities from violent immigration enforcement, safeguarding health facilities from lost federal dollars, and advancing long overdue policies like expanding childcare access, making more New Yorkers eligible for rent freeze programs, reforming Tier 6 pensions for hardworking New Yorkers, permanently carving out school-based health centers from managed care, and recalibrating Foundation Aid for our students. I remain certain that the budget process should exclusively focus on determining how we distribute our tax dollars and to ensure that everyone is paying their fair share, including the billionaires and wealthy corporations that build their fortunes here, not just those keeping their heads above water. Significant policy discussions should happen in the legislative chambers, not as bargaining chips for a $268 billion budget.”
HEALTH
“It is deeply concerning that we did not address the imminent loss of healthcare coverage facing more than a million New Yorkers that are subscribed to the Essential Plan starting July 1, 2026. My bill S.9589 would have addressed this issue by allowing these individuals to keep their coverage with the $2.4 billion that the Governor wisely appropriated in her initial proposal. It was the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans that created this crisis but as a state, we have a responsibility to find solutions to mitigate the devastating impact of these cuts.
On the other hand, we secured some significant victories including permanently carving School Based Health Centers (SBHC) out of Medicaid managed care. This long overdue measure will ensure the financial viability of SBHCs, which serve approximately 250,000 children in their schools across our State.
When it comes to the Medical Indemnity Fund (MIF), we are extending the MIF by one year with no reimbursement rate cuts. However, I recognize that this is not enough. I will work to address this critical fund’s solvency and help families that depend on the fund now through my legislation to establish an ombudsman (S3364).
Further, I'm proud that we secured important Medicaid rate increases for our hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and Federally Qualified Health Centers through the MCO tax. While temporary, these increases will go a long way to support our already financially challenged healthcare system. We also provide funding for distressed hospitals, community health programs, and the healthcare workforce serving New Yorkers across the state.
IMMIGRATION
“After the federal government’s continued attacks on our communities, I am proud that we rose to the occasion to fight back and protect New Yorkers with a suite of protections against the lawless actions of immigration enforcement thugs in our state.
This budget prohibits 287g agreements, which allow state and local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with the federal government in immigration enforcement. It also restricts state and local governments from collecting, sharing, or inquiring about immigration-related information, and limits the sharing of certain information with federal immigration authorities.
Public schools are now prohibited from sharing student information with federal immigration authorities or allowing immigration agents access to non-public school property without a judicial warrant. The budget also requires schools and daycares to establish custody procedures for situations where a parent or guardian is detained by immigration authorities.
Additionally, the legislation protects the rights of private businesses and organizations to deny immigration authorities access to private areas without a judicial warrant. I’m proud that my team has educated more than 870 businesses in my district about this right and provided signs to post in their places of business.
Another important measure bans law enforcement agents from covering their faces while interacting with the public, helping ensure accountability and preventing abuses of power.
These measures respond to real-life situations affecting families, neighbors, and New Yorkers across our state. These policies are designed to strengthen community safety and protection to uphold the rights enshrined in our constitution while the trump administration attacks them. We will continue fighting for all of the protections in the New York for All legislation. But it is important to celebrate these victories to steel ourselves for the battles ahead.
HOUSING
“In a big win for our tenants, I’m incredibly proud that we increased the income eligibility for rent and property freeze programs, SCRIE, DRIE, SCHE and DHE, from $50,000 to $75,000 for the first time since 2014. My office has helped thousands of Bronxites to enroll in these critical housing programs.This eligibility expansion will help more New Yorkers afford to stay in their homes and their communities.”
TAX THE RICH
"While the pied-à-terre tax included in this year’s budget is an important first step, we could and should have done more to make billionaires and wealthy corporations pay their fair share. New York is home to the highest concentration of wealth in the country, yet our tax system coddles them while making working class New Yorkers foot the bill.
We are experiencing a very serious affordability crisis and a federal budget shortfall, so we cannot relent in our efforts to raise more revenue to help New Yorkers stay in our state. The fight is not over and we will try again next year.”
CHILDCARE AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE
Steep childcare costs continue to be a main driver of the high cost of living for millions of families across New York State. The Senate recognized this necessity and fought to increase funding by $400 million for a total of $2.2 billion statewide for increased access to affordable childcare.
The lack of affordable childcare is one of the main drivers behind young families leaving our State. This year’s budget finally provides funding to implement a full statewide Universal Pre-K program beginning in the 2028-29 school year.
This budget also expands universal childcare in New York City to all three year olds and begins a phase-in of universal childcare for two year olds starting this fall, with all two year olds covered by 2029. I want to thank New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his powerful leadership on behalf of our City’s families.
In response to cuts to federally funded nutrition assistance programs, this year’s budget provides an increase to the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program, which will help families navigate the benefit eligibility and application process for SNAP and other food programs. I’m also pleased that we included $138 million in emergency food assistance, which is a $25 million increase over last year.
SENATE DISTRICT 33 FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS:
- BronxNet: $200,000
- Astor Services for Children and Families: $75,000
- Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortland Development Corporation: $140,000
- Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale Foundation, Inc: $200,000
- Bronx Chamber of Commerce: $150,000
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