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FROM CP of NYS News: 4/3/15

NYS BUDGET UPDATE

The New York State Legislature passed the final 2015-2016 State Budget bills late in the evening of March 31, just before the April 1 deadline, with the Senate adjourning before midnight and the Assembly adjourning after midnight. Because the Assembly had not adjourned, the budget bill was considered to be passed on March 31 and on time. This stopping the clock provides a clear indication of the importance that Governor Cuomo and Legislative Leaders put on having an “on-time” budget for the fifth year in a row. The bills that were not voted on until late in the evening were printed only hours before with the Education Reform and Ethics Reform bills among the last to be finished.

There have been a number of surprises in the Final Budget, among them is the elimination of the sales tax on yachts over $230,000 and small planes (under 20 passengers).

The $142 billion New York State Budget agreement includes spending in the following categories:

*   Total State Operating Funds: $94.25 billion; 2.0% growth
*   Public School Aid: $23.5 billion; 6.1% growth
*   Medicaid: $17.741 billion; 4.6% growth
*   $5.4 billion in financial settlement funds for: $1.5 billion for the Upstate Revitalization Initiative and $500 million for statewide broadband.

While all these programs received substantial funding increases, programs, supports and services for people with developmental disabilities received minimal to no increase.

Highlights of the 2015-2016 NYS Budget funding bills and Article VII language bills can be found HERE

Barbara Crosier: mailto:bcrosier@cpofnys.org