ALBANY, NY – New York lawmakers on Saturday approved a $237 billion state budget that includes plans to spur housing construction and crack down on unlicensed marijuana shops.
The package also includes a series of other measures that range from speeding up the closure of some state prisons, addressing the recent influx of migrants and continuing the pandemic-era policy of allowing people to buy cocktails to go.
The state Senate and Assembly finished work on the state’s various budget bills Saturday after hours of debate. The spending plan now goes to Gov. Kathy Hochul to be signed into law, which she is expected to do.
The negotiations, which were conducted privately between the governor and top legislative leaders, largely hinged on a comprehensive proposal to boost the state’s housing market.
The plan offers tax incentives to developers who agree to offer a portion of the apartments in new buildings at below-market prices and includes a wage standard for workers in these projects.
The state had a similar tax break, but it expired in 2022. Hochul and other supporters have long argued that such an incentive is a vital draw for development, although critics argue that it is too expensive and favorable to developers.
As part of the housing deal, progressives also won long-sought legislation that would provide some renters protections against unwarranted rent increases and evictions, although it was not as comprehensive as many advocates had wanted.
Some housing advocates have complained about the tax breaks offered to developers.
“Governor Hochul did not solve the housing crisis – instead, she promoted a housing settlement written by the housing industry to ensure they continued to enrich themselves at the expense of hard-working renters,” said Cea Weaver, director of the Housing Justice for All coalition. in a statement.
Lawmakers also moved to address the explosion of unlicensed cannabis stores in New York City. Bureaucratic obstacles made it difficult for the state to close stores, which have become ubiquitous in the Big Apple.
To help solve the problem, the budget includes policies that would allow local authorities to more easily close stores accused of selling illicit marijuana while their cases unfold. Previously, most enforcement could only be done by the state, and these stores could remain open while a lengthy appeals process took place.
State officials also allocated $2.4 billion to deal with an influx of international migrants that have overwhelmed New York City’s homeless shelters. The money will go towards housing, legal services and healthcare for the migrant population.
State Senate Republican leader Rob Ortt criticized that measure during debates, saying it would encourage more migrants to come to New York.
“We made a lot of difficult decisions in this budget,” Ortt said. “But 2.4 billion is a long way, and I wonder what it could have done elsewhere in the budget for cool New Yorkers.”
Additionally, New York will accelerate the closure of up to five state prisons in an effort to save money amid the state’s declining prison population. The governor has until next March to choose which prisons will be closed. The state has closed two dozen correctional facilities since 2011 because of vacant beds, saving about $442 million annually, according to the state corrections department.
The budget also contained measures that would offer paid time off during pregnancy, allow New York City to reduce its speed limits and expand access to drinking, with proposals to extend the pandemic-era sale of alcohol to-go and allow cinemas sold strong drinks.
The budget was finalized about three weeks after the original April 1 deadline and came after a cyberattack crippled the state office that drafts bills for the Legislature.
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