New York State Capitol

After a month and a day late, New York State finally has a 2024 budget.

The State Legislature finished passing budget bills late Tuesday night for the $229 billion spending plan.

Governor Kathy Hochul was successful in getting changes to bail reform that expands bail consideration for judges.

However, her Housing Compact plan was put on the back burner for further post-budget discussion.

The approved budget also includes more than $34 billion increase in school aid. Jamestown Public Schools will receive $9.5 million more in foundation aid, for total state aid funding of $83,706,514.

New York State of Polictics reports the budget will raise the minimum wage in Upstate New York to $16 in 2026 and index the base pay to the rate of inflation.

The budget does not raise the personal income tax.

A planned ban on natural gas hookups in new construction also passed.

State Senator George Borrello issued a statement calling the budget a “bad budget” that ignores affordability and public safety. On the bail reform change, Borrello said, “The promised changes are nothing but a shell game that will do nothing to reverse the tide of rising crime. Ninety percent of crimes are still not eligible for bail. Judges still do not have the discretion they need to hold dangerous individuals, despite rewording of the ‘least restrictive’ standard.”

George Borrello

Agriculture buildings, such as barns, are now exempt from a natural gas ban proposed in the New York State executive budget.

State Senator George Borrello advocated that the change be made to Governor Kathy Hochul‘s 30-day amendments.

Borrello said in a statement, “Anyone who has spent time on a farm knows that barns and agricultural facilities must have access to affordable, reliable energy sources like natural gas in order to operate. The original Executive Budget proposal raised tremendous concerns in the agricultural community about how they would run their operations if they were included in the bans. In most cases, rural and remote areas lack the infrastructure needed to electrify farm buildings and equipment.

With so many farmers already struggling in the face of costly new labor regulations, minimum wage increases and crippling workforce shortages, it was clear that such a mandate would be the final straw for many farmers. I raised this issue with the Commissioner during budget hearings and, with the support of many of my colleagues, contacted the Governor regarding these concerns. It is clear that our voices were heard and that our farmers can breathe a little easier today.”