The Peru Gazette

From the Office of State Senator Betty Little 

The State Senate is expected to approve later this afternoon a budget resolution that includes numerous changes important to the Adirondack region, according to State Senator Betty Little.

Little said the budget resolution strikes an executive budget proposal that would have eliminated a more than century-long obligation by New York State to pay ad valorem taxes on state-owned lands, including millions of acres in the Adirondack Park.  The Senate one-house budget rejects the proposed change from ad valorem to a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTS), which many fear would result in a property tax shift to local taxpayers.

“This is a top priority for our region, something that everyone I have heard from adamantly opposes.  Our local governments and environmental groups are strongly united in their opposition and have done a tremendous job in Albany explaining why the proposed change would be so detrimental to our North Country economy.  The push needs to continue through budget negotiations, but today’s formal rejection is an important step for us all.”

The Senate budget proposal rejects $1 billion in tax-and-fee increases, including new taxes on internet purchases and new DMV fees.  The proposal also would decouple the state and federal tax codes to prevent New Yorkers from taking a $1.5 billion state tax hit as a result of recent federal tax changes.

The Senate’s education budget calls for 3.8 percent increase in school aid funding over last year, bringing the total investment in schools to a record level of $26.1 billion.  The Senate proposal seeks an increase in aid for libraries, too.  The plan also restores more than $10 million in funding for agriculture programs and provides funding for rural health needs, including for opioid treatment.

Funding for local prioirities include: $300,000 for the Visitors Interpretive Centers at Paul Smith’s College and SUNY ESF in Newcomb; $250,000 for the Adirondack Lake Survey Corporation; $700,000 for a capital project of the Lake George Park Commission; $250,000 for the Adirondack North Country Association; $100,000 for the Adirondack Diversity Initiative; $150,000 for the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation of the North Country Chamber of Commerce; and $185,000 for veterans peer counseling services.

The Senate budget resolution summarizes proposed changes to the executive budget.  The resolution was developed based on feedback from many groups and individuals who contacted and met with lawmakers and staff in Albany in response to the governor’s executive budget, which was announced in January.  The Legislature hosted public hearings for several weeks to collect testimony.

The resolutions adopted by the Senate and Assembly will be the basis for the three-way negotiations that will soon begin between the executive and two houses of the Legislature.