Listed below are the key takeaways from the Governor’s Budget announcement relating to FY 2026 NYS Budget of $254 Billion:

Taxes
• $1B tax cut for middle and low-income workers
• Started NY’s first Inflation Refund check which provides up to $400 per family
• Reduced Payroll Mobility Tax for small businesses and eliminated the tax for self-employed individuals earning $150,000 or less

Child Care
• Doubled the Child Tax credit by providing $1000 for kids younger than 4 years of age and $500 for kids ages 4-16
• Expanded child care by $2.2B statewide by including $350M for child care subsidies and $110M to build and renovate child care centers.

Safety
• $357M investment in programs that reduce gun violence
• Created a Class B for individuals wearing masks during a Class A misdemeanor or higher crime or fleeing the scene immediately thereafter
• Invested $77M in subway safety by allocating for the inclusion of police officers on every overnight subway train, installing platform barriers and LED lighting, and allocating $25M for the development of welcome and care centers for the homeless

Discovery
• $120M to for discovery law compliance
• Prevent Cases being dismissed over minor omissions
• Protect Defendants Rights’ While Ensuring Victims Get Justice

Mental Health
• $16.5M in Assisted Outpatient Treatment to improve Kendra’s Law
• $2M in OMH staffing
• $160M to create 100 new forensic inpatient psychiatric beds in NYC

Schools & Education
• $37B in total School Aid
• $340M for free breakfast and lunch for children in grades K-12
• $13.5M to ban smart phone and internet enabled devices during the school day (“bell-to-bell ban”)
• $47M to make community college free for adult students pursuing Associate degrees in high-demand industries

Housing
• 90-Day Ban on Private Equity bidding on single- and two-family homes
• $1B Invested in Pro-Housing Communities and City of Yes

Environment
• $1B in climate investments including home electricity assistance, thermal energy networks, EV charging infrastructure, and renewable energy projects
• $500 Million for clean water and flood control infrastructure

Transportation
• Fully funded the MTA’s $68.4B 2025-2029 capital plan to build the Interborough Express, crack down on fare evasion, and conduct repairs and upgrades
• Added $800M to support the Department of Transportation’s 5 year highway and bridge construction projects
• Modernizing the Hudson Valley Rail System to reduce travel time and increase geographic and economic connectivity

Local Investment:
• $50 Million for financial assistance to cities and towns
• $400 Million Championing Albany’s Potential Initiative