To address the ongoing mental health crisis, New York’s new state budget includes millions of dollars for crucial services, such as the establishment of youth mental health clinics. The budget aims to improve access to care for young people and those severely impacted by mental illness, while also expanding insurance coverage for mental health treatments.
New York lawmakers and Governor Hochul have reached an agreement on the housing provisions included in the state budget, which address some of the urgent housing needs in the state. However, advocates emphasize that more work is necessary to address the long-standing housing crisis. Despite the progress made, they caution that significant challenges remain, including a shortage of affordable housing and rising rents. The budget includes measures to replace the expired 421a tax abatement program, remove restrictive floor area ratio caps, and expand eviction protections. However, lawmakers are urged to prioritize housing throughout the year and not just during the budget season. The demand for housing, particularly in areas with strong public transportation, remains high, and lawmakers are encouraged to continue pushing for policies that promote housing construction.
The recently approved New York state budget eliminates aid to private colleges and universities with endowments of at least $750 million, including Columbia University and NYU. The $18 million cut in aid affects 16 schools throughout the state. Opponents of the cuts argue that it will increase costs for hardworking students and their families who rely on the financial support provided by Bundy Aid to help them achieve their dream of a college degree. Supporters of the cuts say the aid to the “wealthy” private universities was hard to defend given competing priority to boost funding to the public colleges part of the SUNY and CUNY network.
New York State has approved a $237 billion budget that includes significant funding for migrant housing, housing development, and measures to combat retail theft and illegal cannabis operations. The plan also introduces stricter penalties for retail theft and assaults on public workers, as well as the creation of new hate crimes. Governor Kathy Hochul has praised the budget, highlighting its emphasis on housing policy and investments in healthcare and education. Affordable housing tax breaks, a ‘Good Cause Eviction’ provision, and a mayoral control extension for New York City schools are included despite criticism from tenant advocates and the real estate industry.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced a portion of the 2024 state budget clarifies tenant-protection, specifically excluding squatters from those protections, defining them as those staying at a property without the owner’s permission. This addresses concerns and high-profile incidents of people illegally occupying homes, with bipartisan support including State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Assemblyman Michael Tannousis advocating for changes. The new language aims to protect property owners and prevent unlawful occupancy of their spaces.
