Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed budget of $260 billion, which includes no new taxes, focuses on increased spending on children's services. Strong Wall Street returns mean no tax increases are necessary this year, according to Hochul's top fiscal aide. The budget includes new spending on childcare, with a $1.2 billion increase for an existing voucher program and $500 million for pre-kindergarten programs. It also allocates $77 million for extra police on New York City's subway system and $535 million for National Guard personnel in state prisons. Other expenditures include $20 million for Riverbank State Park and a $5 million program for soccer fields. The state's improved fiscal position, with tax receipts ahead of projections, allows for these new expenditures. However, there's uncertainty about the longevity of strong revenue and the potential impact on the new childcare system's expenses. Critics argue that long-term, stable funding is needed for true universal childcare, not just shifting funds from other programs. Additionally, there are concerns about federal funding, with the state seeking a waiver to continue services for non-citizen immigrants and facing potential cuts from the federal government, including threats to withhold funding for sanctuary cities.
