Assemblywoman Woerner: Assembly Budget Proposal Addresses Priority Issues

SARATOGA COUNTY – Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, this week released a statement regarding the Assembly budget proposal. 

“I applaud the amendments that the Assembly proposal is making to the executive’s plan regarding housing,” Woerner said.” We don’t need to solve our state’s housing crisis by running roughshod over local zoning laws. The Assembly’s plan would stimulate housing growth by working with municipalities, not dictating what must be done.”

Specifically, the proposal provides $500 million in total funding for cities, towns and villages in need of housing. Municipalities would receive initial payments for submitting a housing plan and secondary payments once they meet housing growth targets within the target period starting Jan. 1, 2024, Woerner said. 

“Through my annual survey, constituents told me that their highest priorities in the budget were healthcare and education (K-12), followed closely by environment, housing, workforce development, and infrastructure,” Woerner added.  “While there are some things in the Assembly budget proposal that my constituents and I do not support, the overall proposed spending plan addresses the funding priorities of the communities I represent.”

The Assembly’s proposal includes a 10% increase in Medicaid funding for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, coupled with additional funding for distressed nursing homes. It also proposes significant investments in the Environmental Protection Fund, including farmland and open space conservation, in water and sewer infrastructure, and in workforce development programs.