The Peru Gazette

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that he helped secure several measures that will be included in the approved 2021-22 state budget to support North Country families and businesses impacted by COVID-19. Jones also will vote against the Excluded Workers Fund due to its flawed policy and concerns with potential inaccurate activity in an already bogged down system. Instead, the eye-popping allocation of $2.1 billion included in the proposal should have been allocated to benefit all struggling New Yorkers, especially those the North Country.

“This budget process was the most arduous and frustrating that I have been a part of since elected to the New York State Assembly. With that aside, I am pleased that the approved budget will invest in the North Country’s recovery, including assistance for our hardworking agricultural community, increased money for schools, and funding to tackle broadband accessibility and transportation infrastructure, along with support for our veterans.”

The approved budget will also include important funding for transportation infrastructure. “North Country residents depend on the stability of their local infrastructure. Whether traveling to work, to pick up children, or to obtain healthcare it is crucial that our roads and bridges be safe,” said Jones. Local municipalities rely heavily on Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding to complete necessary maintenance and improvements. The approved budget would increase CHIPS funding by $100 million for a total of $538.1 million in state aid. Tackling broadband infrastructure deserts will also help fuel economic development in the North Country, which is why Jones helped include a $1 million appropriation for a broadband study. We’ve seen how vital reliable, high-speed is for our state during the pandemic as we embraced working from home, telemedicine and remote learning, Jones noted. The 2021-22 approved state budget would also provide:

• An additional $50 million for PAVE NY, which is used to rehabilitate and repave local roads and bridges, improving safety for drivers;
• $100 million for the Extreme Winter Recovery program, which was cut in the executive budget proposal; and
• $39.7 million in funding for the Marchiselli Program, which helps municipalities complete local road and bridge construction and improvement projects.

Small businesses have undoubtedly shouldered a heavy burden throughout this pandemic as well. Small businesses remain the backbone of the North Country and will continue to fuel the economic success of the region. Jones supported small business relief that will be included in the approved budget which will provide the following:

• $1 billion for direct support to small businesses
• $800 million for small business grants
• $200 million in small business tax credits
• $35 million Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit.

Local school districts will also benefit from the approved budget, which is welcomed news after schools were forced to adapt quickly to an entirely new educational model, which was a costly and challenging process. The final budget will provide $3.1 billion more in state education funding over last year and will increase Foundation Aid by $1.4 billion, for a total of $19.8 billion, with $335.2 million in total funding and a Foundation Aid increase by $9.9 million for the 115^th Assembly District. Funding for essential teacher programs will also be restored. Additionally, the approved state budget will provide $94.2 million for libraries and an additional $20 million for library construction grants, for a total of $34 million. The approved budget will also support child care by providing $2.4 billion for these services and create tax credits for businesses that offer child care programs.

Agriculture is another driving force in the North Country’s economy, and many of the farmers have stepped up to help address food insecurity while New Yorkers struggled with unemployment and other unknowns due to the pandemic. The 2021-22 budget one approved will provide $35.78 million for agricultural aid that will help local farmers, including:

• $500,000 for Farmland for the New Generation;
• $400,000 for Cornell Equitable Farm Futures Initiative;
• $300,000 for Northern NY Agricultural Development;
• $50 million for the Nourish NY program to tackle food insecurity; and
• extending the Farm Workforce Retention Credit for three years

Jones also noted that there were important provisions to help veterans included in the budget as well. As part of his commitment to support those who serve our country and provide veterans with the resources and services they deserve, Jones fought to restore $4.5 million in funding for veterans in the approved state budget, including an additional $495,000 for the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project, for a total of $5 million. The approved budget will also reestablish the state Division of Veterans’ Services call-in line to connect veterans directly to Veterans Benefits Advisors and will restore funding for the North Country Veterans’ Association. Additionally, the Hire-a-Vet tax credit, which offers a tax credit for employers who hire veterans, will be extended for two years.

Additionally, the approved state budget will provide $656 million for the Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) program, which is a critical lifeline for cities, towns and villages. Jones also rejected the executive budget proposal to close entry into the Enhanced STAR exemption program.