ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State lawmakers, who will each make the highest pay in the country at $142,000, are now back at work in Albany.
2 On Your Side surveyed some of our local delegation to ask what they feel will be priorities for this new session.
Last year, despite disputes over how to tweak bail reform, the budget process with some hiccups finally crossed the finish line a bit late in late April. But this year there may be some more significant challenges, even with certain accepted priorities.
There is usually a spirit of collegiality on the first day of session in Albany with Assembly leaders on Wednesday even expressing hope for bipartisan approaches.
And just as Gov. Kathy Hochul tried to stress the idea of affordable housing for what she defined as a crisis last year without much traction, housing is back as a the No. 1 priority on the majority Democratic side. It is among traditional elements, such as health and school funding, with districts getting major funding boosts last year to restore what is called foundation aid.
Assembly Democratic Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes of Buffalo said during the session: "Undoubtedly we will continue to discuss the critical issues that face our state including housing, and as you mentioned this, everybody has a right to have good quality housing. We got to keep working on that."
We later spoke with State Assemblyman Jon Rivera (D-149th District, Buffalo and Lackawanna), who agreed.
"Whether you're in Buffalo or Long Island or in the Adirondacks, we have a housing problem. We have a housing shortage in New York State, specifically when it comes to affordable housing. That means young folks buying their first home, that means college kids finding their first apartment," Rivera said.
And more agreement from State Senator Sean Ryan (D-61st, Buffalo and Amherst), who said: "We're going to concentrate on housing this year, prioritizing smart economic development practices, making sure that we take care of education both in the elementary schools but also in our SUNY colleges."
But for the outnumbered but still vocal Republicans, there is a projected deficit and other economic storm clouds on the horizon.
Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay (D- 120th District, Fulton) said during the session: "Since 2019, hundreds of companies have closed their doors and moved to more business-friendly states, places that, unfortunately like New York, are not overwhelming their businesses and citizens with excessive taxes , fees, and regulations."
State Senator George Borrello (R-57th District, Jamestown) later added: "We have seen the numbers when it comes to the loss of population, and most importantly the loss of income tax revenue in New York State, and that has created a huge hole in our budget. So I think one of the first things than has to be addressed is the more than $4 billion shortfall that we're going to see in this budget."
Also, Governor Hochul's relationship with lawmakers, especially majority Democrats, may seem a bit strained with recent vetoes of significant passed bills including the Grieving Families Act for compensation in the death of a loved one, the wrongful conviction act, and the non-compete act banning such contract requirements.
Governor Hochul's office contends that those rejected bills were passed too late without proper public input and comment.