The Peru Gazette

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones 

            Legislators and the Governor were able to reach an agreement on changes to bail reform and ultimately rejected the housing proposals in the Executive proposal. State legislators fought back against the proposals to raise taxes and were able to include record amounts of funding for K-12 education. Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) expressed his disappointment with some of the policy included in the final budget but noted the critical funding that will help the North Country.

            “After numerous debates and late nights in Albany, we have finally come to an agreement for the final budget,” said Jones. “We made some changes to bail reform to provide clarity for justices as well as allocated funding for training. Although I was disappointed by the Governor’s proposal for changes to Medicaid reimbursement to counties, the Governor already had the ability to do this by policy, but my colleagues and I were able to negotiate a 3-year offramp to help counties transition. I am disappointed that reissuing licenses to charter schools was included in the final budget, but I am pleased that my colleagues and I secured important funding for education, including fully funding foundation aid and critical funding for SUNY campuses and community colleges. My colleagues and I also increased funding for hospitals and nursing homes, but I realize that the funding is not nearly enough. Our hospitals need more help and I will continue to push for more funding. While I have my concerns about some of the policy included, I am proud to have secured funding that will help North Country residents including support for Senior Planet and overuse in the Adirondacks.”

Jones is also excited about the funding he was able to secure for volunteer fire departments. The final budget included his bills to create a $25 million capital fund (A4929) and a $6.5 million training fund (A3242) for volunteer fire departments which will help struggling volunteer fire departments throughout the North Country stay afloat and recruit new members.

            “Volunteer fire departments are at a crisis and need state support,” said Jones. “We rely on them to be there during emergencies and the state needs to step up and make sure that fire departments have the resources they need to keep our communities safe. I introduced these bills last year because of the many heartbreaking conversations I had with volunteer firefighters across the North Country about their deteriorating facilities, outdated equipment, and dwindling membership and including $31.5 million in the budget for capital projects and training will help these fire departments tremendously.

            Jones noted that his bill to allow firearms at historic battle re-enactments (A4133), which was an issue during the Battle of Plattsburgh events last year, was also included in the final budget. “I am happy that re-enactors and the history community can finally rest easy knowing that they are officially allowed to carry firearms during historic battle re-enactments,” said Jones. “These events not only bring tourists from all over including Canada, but they are an important part of our communities and preserving our local history.”

            The final budget made additional changes to the concealed carry law passed last year including clarifying language to allow military salutes during funerals and other celebrations, and qualified law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry concealed firearms. Funding for district attorneys and prosecutors to help address crime was also included.

In addition to funding for volunteer fire departments, Jones secured the following budget items for the North Country:

• $200,000 for Senior Planet (Older Adults Technology Service);
• $225,000 for the North Country Chamber of Commerce;
• $100,000 for the Adirondack North Country Association and $420,000 for their Adirondack Diversity Initiative;
• $250,000 for the Paul Smith’s Visitor Information Center;
• $8 million to address overuse in the Adirondack and Catskills Parks;
• $2 million for a Survey of Climate change and Adirondack Lakes Ecosystems (SCALE);
• $100,000 for the Adirondack Mountain Club for a High Peaks Visitor Center;
• $125,000 for North Country veterans;
• $225,000 for the Maple Producers Association;
• $300,000 for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program;
• $3.45 million for the Local Tourism Matching Grants Program.

“Between the funding for volunteer fire departments, education, the Adirondacks, and numerous North Country community organizations, this year’s budget provides critical funding for our region and will help local residents get the resources they need,” said Jones.