New York is set to rely on an influx of federal funds and higher-than-expected tax revenues to balance a $220 billion, one-year state budget, which Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Saturday. Disagreements over policy issues held up passage of the spending plan over a week past an April 1 deadline. The budget has often served over the decades as a vehicle for passing major policy legislation, and this year is being used to tackle issues expected to resonate with voters during an election year. It’s set to boost pay for health care and home care workers, shave 16 cents off the cost of a gallon of gas through December and help New Yorkers with unpaid rent and utility bills. Some Democrats voted against parts of the spending plan, in part for cracking down on people with repeated low-level offenses. Those lawmakers also called for more spending on home care workers rather than spending an eventual $850 million supporting a new $1.4 billion stadium for the Buffalo Bills, which is owned by billionaires Terry and Kim Pegula. Here’s a look at what’s in the budget. TAX RELIEF Homeowners can expect tax relief: New York is set to spend $2.2 billion in one-time property tax rebates for low- and middle-income homeowners. That rebate would arrive this fall, when the Democratic governor is set to appear on the ballot. New York is also set to decrease tax rates for the middle class by $162 million by April 2023, instead of waiting until 2025 to fully phase in those long-planned tax cuts. BAIL, GUN CRIMES The budget would follow through with Hochul’s proposal to give judges more power to jail people who were repeatedly ticketed for minor theft or property damage offenses. Judges would have to release people if the court determines the alleged theft is “negligible” and not “in furtherance of other criminal activity.” Criminal justice advocates say the legislation will lead to more poor and minority New Yorkers being held behind bars while awaiting trial. New York is also set to add more firearm possession crimes to the list of offenses that could land people who can’t afford bail behind bars. GAS TAX CUT New York will cut state gas taxes by 16 cents a gallon from June 1 until the end of the year in response to soaring gasoline prices, with the state asking counties to consider doing the same. TO-GO COCKTAILS Liquor and wine are set to be available for take-out and delivery for three years, as long as the purchase includes a “substantial food item.” That revives a practice instituted during the pandemic to help struggling restaurants. MENTAL HEALTH Courts would be able to order people to undergo more assisted outpatient treatment if they are perceived to be a threat to themselves or others. It’s an expansion of Kendra’s Law, which New York passed on a trial basis in 1999 when 32-year-old Kendra Webdale was pushed in front of a subway train by a man living with untreated schizophrenia. The law is set to expire June 30, but the budget would extend that expiration to 2027. CASINOS, BUFFALO BILLS The state plans to start accepting bids for three new casinos this year, one year earlier than planned. A new casino will need two-thirds approval from a community board consisting of […]

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