Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-119) is responding today following New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s presentation of the Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget proposal in Albany. The Governor’s $260 billion budget outlines her administration’s fiscal agenda and priorities for the 2026-2027 budget year, and includes significant investments in childcare, education, and public safety, committed in the Governor’s
State of the State address this past week.
Included in the Governor’s State of the State Address, Governor Hochul committed to putting New York on a path to universal childcare. Yesterday, the Governor unveiled a $1.3 billion statewide investment proposal which would
expand Universal Pre-K coverage to every four-year-old by 2028, launch community-wide childcare pilot programs for newborns to three-year-olds, and build upon the Child Care Assistance Program and voucher system. “My office is contacted by many families that are struggling with how to provide quality childcare. As a lifelong educator and a member of the Assembly Education Committee, I am pleased to see the Governor’s commitment to investments in childcare and education that will serve to ease the pressure on
New York Families. However, we must continue to ensure these investments result in positive results for families in the Mohawk Valley.”
Despite federal funding cuts of $10.3 billion or 11.4%, during the Executive Budget Presentation it was noted that tax increases were not needed to fund new initiatives and that taxes, as Executive Budget Director Blake Washington claimed, were at the lowest rates in 70 years. However, the residents that I represent are not expressing relief, and according to the Tax Foundation New York is still among the highest in the nation for
income taxes, with a top bracket at 10.9%, exceeded by only Hawaii and California.
“Overall taxes in New York still act as an anchor on our hardworking families. We must continue to further commit to policies that assist the residents of New York State.”
Identified as a priority in the Governor’s State of the State, the Governor committed to furthering gun-violence prevention efforts statewide, proposing a $352 million commitment for these initiatives. The Governor also reiterated her continued commitment to supporting law enforcement, including prosecution, defense, and violence interruption.
“The Governor’s focus on public safety is admirable and much needed, and I remain committed to working with our first responders and state leadership to implement evidence-based initiatives that reduce crime, remove guns from our streets, and enhance safety.”
Further proposed by the Governor, an 11.4% year-on-year Medicaid spending increase, increasing the total state investment to a total of $38.4 billion, while maintaining the freeze on local contributions. The Governor’s proposal additionally included renewed support for healthcare facilities, proposing commitments of $1.33 billion in capital and operating fund support for the existing Safety Net Transformation Program, $750 million in new health care resources to promote access to high quality services in hospitals and nursing homes, $17.5 million to expand TeenMental Health First Aid training statewide to all tenth graders, and $3.2 million to establish regional centers of excellence for CPR training. “It is evident that Medicaid will continue to be in high-demand for so many that are in need. In addition, with the uncertainty that we see at the federal level, this must remain a priority in these budget discussions.” Assemblywoman Buttenschon reaffirmed that her attention remains fixed on securing results for the Mohawk Valley. The Assemblywoman will continue to advocate and advance essential priorities for her district, strengthening access to affordable and quality healthcare, and partnering with local law enforcement and community organizations to implement programs that reduce crime and enhance safety. “While the Governor presented her budget today, my commitment remains on working with local, state, and community leaders to find workable and enduring solutions to the priorities she highlighted. Any measures we advance must have the necessary support, state resources, and local support of the people of the Mohawk Valley,” Buttenschon remarked.
About Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon
Assemblywoman Buttenschon represents the 119th District, encompassing the cities of Utica and Rome as well as surrounding towns and farming communities. A lifelong educator, public safety advocate, and small business supporter, she proudly serves on the Assembly’s Agriculture, Banks, Economic Development, Education, Higher Education, and Veterans Affairs Committees and chairs the Committee on Small Businesses. Her work is driven by transparency, accountability, and a commitment to strengthening the Mohawk Valley’s future.
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