New York state Sen. James Skoufis referred to affordability as his top priority in the ongoing state budget negotiations at a Feb. 7 virtual forum.
Skoufis, a Democrat representing most of Orange County, has hosted a public forum every budget season to understand the need for funding in local communities.
Following New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal in January, the state Assembly and Senate will produce their versions in the coming weeks before a final agreement is reached. The state Legislature is due to pass an annual budget by April 1, although it has not always met that deadline.
Hochul proposes to cut state income taxes for families or joint filers earning up to $323,000 annually—representing about three in every four state taxpayers—with estimated tax relief of nearly $1 billion when the reductions are fully phased in.
The governor is also proposing to increase the annual child tax credit for more than 1.5 million New York families to $1,000 per child younger than the age of 4 and $500 per child aged 4 to 16.
“During budget negotiations last year, I spoke on the floor of the Senate advocating for universal school meals,” Skoufis said. “I was thrilled to see the governor get behind it this year.”
In an email to The Epoch Times, he said the move would allow county residents to explore transportation options other than the current metro trains operated by New Jersey Transit on a contract with the MTA, potentially resulting in better and cheaper services.
In previous communications with The Epoch Times, an MTA spokesperson said the agency remains committed to improving services west of the Hudson River and that part of the congestion toll receipts will be used to fund renovations on the Port Jervis Line.
Aside from train services, another transportation focus of Skoufis’s is to advocate for state money to repave a busy stretch of Route 17M between the villages of Monroe and Harriman.
Law enforcement agencies are also on his budget priority list, according to Skoufis.
“One of my most fundamental responsibilities as your state senator is to work as hard as I can to bring your tax dollars back to support important projects throughout our communities,” he said.
Representatives from nearly 10 local agencies spoke of their needs at the forum and requested increased state funding. The Ramapo Catskills Library System asked for more operating aid, the Cornwall-on-Hudson police department sought a vehicle grant, and the Rumshock Foundation requested money to purchase solar panels for a veteran housing project in Port Jervis.
Skoufis, who was elected to a fourth term in the state Senate last fall, was recently tapped by the majority party to serve as the deputy majority leader for state–federal relations.