Governor Hochul and & legislative leaders agree on a tentative 237-billion-dollar State Budget deal. The agreement includes renewed subsidies for developers to build new housing in New York City and additional tenant protections. Pro-housing communities, like the Town of Plattsburgh, will share 650-million-dollars to help build new homes.
Another half-billion dollars will be used for housing on state-owned sites, including former prisons. No word yet whether that could include the former Moriah Shock prison in Essex County.
After pushback from lawmakers, the Governor backed off changes she proposed that would have cut foundation aid to about half the school districts in the state. Legislative leaders have agreed, beginning next year, to consider changes in how schools are funded. The budget deal also includes an additional $2-and-a-half billion dollars to help cover New York City’s costs for sheltering migrants. And the Governor’s Office says the budget also includes Hochul’s proposal to allow the state to close up to 5 more prisons in the next year.