Gov. Hochul’s 2027 state budget agreement announcement sparks backlash
The $268 billion funding package aims to improve public safety, affordability, infrastructure, housing and the environment.
More Stories
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement of a general agreement for the 2027 state budget was met with backlash on Thursday.
The announcement was made in Albany more than a month after the budget’s original April 1 deadline.
Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie responded to the news immediately after, saying it is close, but “there is no deal.”
He went on to call the announcement premature and argued that the numbers could still change.
Sen. Stewart-Cousins’ spokesperson issued a statement agreeing with Heastie:
“We are getting close, but there is certainly no budget deal yet, and we agree with the assessment by the speaker. We hope to close it down soon but there are many outstanding issues, especially regarding the actual financial plan.”
A spokesperson for Hochul responded to the criticism on Thursday afternoon, highlighting her use of the term “general agreement.”
The $268 billion funding package introduced by Hochul aims to improve public safety, affordability, infrastructure, housing and the environment.
She says major investments will put New York on a path to universal, affordable childcare.
The budget also seeks to improve utility costs and lower insurance rates for New Yorkers.
Hochul says reforms will cut red tape and speed up building for critically needed housing and infrastructure projects.
Protections against escalation and aggressive immigration enforcement by ICE are also included, according to Hochul.
Other public safety goals include a crackdown on 3D printed guns and enhanced online privacy protections for children.
