Please check the link above to register for the NYS Rural Advocates Legislative Meeting. This is the best year we’ve had in a while to focus on policy as well as funding levels, so plan on attending for maximum input!
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First Look at Executive Budget Numbers
NOTE: As we reconstruct the narrative, we find conflicting information so will continue to update and add to the chart below
With a noteworthy commitment to housing the homeless we expect a significant amount of funding for the Housing Trust Fund and HHAP. Nearly 2 billion is proposed for 100,000 units along with $44,2000,000 for the Housing Trust Fund. Here is part of the Executive Proposal we see in State Budget Documents:
| RPC | $ 3,539,000 + Year 2 JP Morgan Chase funds |
| NPC | 8,479,000 +Year 2 JP Morgan Chase funds |
| Rural Rental Assistance | 22,292,000 |
| Rural Community Investment Fund | 35,250,000 |
| AHC | 26,000,000 |
| Access to Home | 1,000,000 |
| HHAP | 78,700,000 |
| RESTORE | 1,400,000 |
Additional housing funds include $4,200,000Main Street with additional money allocated as part of the JP Morgan Chase fund plan
Watch the Governor Speak
$7 billion in proposals for upstate, including transportation, energy and agriculture projects have already been announced. Also planned are ” $100 million for water infrastructure investments, a $100 million “Downtown NY” revitalization initiative in which 10 cities will win $10 million apiece in a similar vein to his annual Regional Economic Development Council competition, and a tax cut program for small businesses (defined as those with less than 100 employees)”
A link to the Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address, live here
S. Young Chairs Finance, S. Little Chairs Housing
NYS Senator Flanagan, Republican from Long Island, is now the new Majority Leader in the Senate. Session began with new committee assignments. Senator DeFrancisco, former chair of Senate Finance, is now deputy GOP conference leader, replacing Senator Libous.
Senator Catherine Young, who for years chaired the Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee will now serve as Chair of Senate Finance, replacing Senator DeFrancisco.
Press release: ALBANY – Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- 57th District) has been appointed to a top leadership post as Senate Majority Finance Committee Chair.
“I am honored and humbled to become the first woman to serve as Senate Majority Finance Chair in state history. It is exciting because of what this appointment means for the people in my Senate district and all of Western New York. It gives our entire region tremendous clout and a strong voice in state budget matters and policy decisions. My goal is to deliver more attention and resources to our part of the state to address the unique needs of our economy, schools, and infrastructure. We must ensure that all of Western New York shares in economic prosperity and that we have good-paying jobs and opportunities. All of our children need and deserve to have the best education possible and we need to secure our fair share of funding for our schools. Our crumbling roads and bridges need repairs and our aging water and sewer systems desperately need upgrades. Our hardworking, overburdened taxpayers need more tax relief. There’s a lot of work to get done and I’m ready and raring to get started,” she said… As Chair, Senator Young will lead hearings to conduct a thorough review of Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget Proposal. Other responsibilities include reviewing the governor’s nominations for various positions.”
The new Chair of the Senate Housing Committee is Senator Betty Little, who has been a strong supporter of affordable housing and RPCs in her district. Senators Avella, Bonacic, Boyle, Gallivan and Young also serve on the Senate Housing Committee.
Senator Ritchie will be chairing both Agriculture and Rural Resources Committees with Senators Akshar, O’Mara and Velesky on the Rural Resources Committee.
Feds fund rural housing after all
Congress provided more funds for rural housing this year; ” … overall, rural housing and affordable housing did relatively well. Soon the whole process will begin again, with the president’s proposed FY 2017 budget due out in February”, more here
Assembly Holds Housing Hearing
The NYS Assembly will hold a hearing to review the impact and implementation of the State Budget for housing on December 21, 2015 in Albany. Additional details here. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in Hearing Room C of the Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12248
Written testimony will be accepted for the record until December 28th by email/ mail or fax: szydlom @assembly.state.ny.us Fax: (518) 455-5182 ; Mike Szydlo Legislative Analyst, Room 520, Capitol Albany, New York 12248
Ensuring that New Yorkers’ housing needs are being met is a top priority of the Assembly Committee on Housing. Many New Yorkers struggle to find adequate, safe, and affordable housing. Addressing these needs can be challenging when the availability of and accessibility to different types of housing often varies between neighborhoods and communities. New York State’s housing programs offer remedies that focus on individuals and families with varying income levels, disabilities, and other factors. Several of these programs are designed to complement the diversity of New York’s communities and geography. To respond best to the ever-changing needs of New Yorkers, the Committee welcomes feedback from stakeholders within the housing community to understand better the needs and experiences of our citizens as impacted by the State Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Budget.
NYS State of the State/Executive Budget combined
Attend the Governor’s 2016 State of the State and Executive Budget Address on Wednesday, January 13 at 12:30 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. Registration opens Monday, December 21 at 12:00 PM. Register on the Governor’s homepage
Omnibus Spending Bill 2016 passed
USDA and HUD funding levels for FY 16 are better than anticipated now that domestic spending caps were raised. (Although they will be lowered again next year). HOME funding levels, proposed at $1,060 million in the Executive Budget, $767 million by the House and only $66 million by the Senate, passed in the Omnibus Spending Bill for FY 16 at $ 950 million. For more details see this link or here
Annual Meeting Productive as Always!
Thank you all for your input during our “lively” annual meeting! I think there were some very good suggestions and recommendations on how we can all meet State MWBE goals and provide economic opportunities. One immediate outcome of our meeting will hopefully result in an instructive utilization plan/ form/report/ webinar to help everyone get to contract without delay.
2016 Legislative Calendar is out
Available here
NEW YORK STATE RURAL ADVOCATES 