Budget & Taxes

passed both · New York · Senate May 20, 2026

S 7335: Relates to enhanced eligibility requirements of STAR

This bill amends New York's STAR program to adjust how senior citizens' income is calculated for property tax exemption eligibility. It allows seniors who experience income decreases due to retirement or the death of a spouse to use their next year's income tax return (instead of the current year's) to determine eligibility for the enhanced exemption. To qualify, seniors must file their next year's tax return or provide income documentation to the local assessor by the tax deadline. This change directly affects seniors facing reduced income from retirement or bereavement, ensuring they maintain eligibility during the transition period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief for seniors by allowing lower future income to qualify for property tax exemption, directly supporting tax relief for middle/lower income seniors.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 679: Establishes the affordable housing broadband assistance grant program

Establishes the affordable housing broadband assistance grant program within the division of broadband access to support no-cost and/or discounted subscriptions for households receiving federal, state, or local housing assistance or residing in housing units designated for low-income and/or vulnerable populations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state-funded grant program for broadband access in low-income housing, allocating budget resources to support essential services per funding indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds broadband assistance for low-income housing residents, advancing affordable housing access through direct support to designated housing units.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyThe bill establishes a grant program to provide no-cost/discounted broadband subscriptions, directly expanding internet access for low-income populations and promoting digital equity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 10520: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2026 through May 20, 2026

This bill provides emergency funding to the state government to cover essential expenses from April 1, 2026, through May 20, 2026, until the regular annual budget is approved. It authorizes payments for state employee salaries, including those for the governor and legislative staff, as well as funds for ongoing operations and contracts approved in the previous fiscal year. The legislation allocates specific sums for personal services, non-personal service liabilities, and various contracts and grants to ensure state departments can continue their work during this interim period. By amending existing appropriation laws, the bill ensures that public officers and agencies have the necessary financial resources to operate without interruption during the gap between fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides emergency funding for essential state operations and salaries, directly advancing fiscal management and government spending.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 182: Increases the federal poverty level requirement for recipients where it concerns the one-time disregard of earned income

This bill increases the income threshold for a temporary public assistance benefit. It changes the rule so that individuals who recently started working can disregard all their earned income for up to six months (after job entry) if their total income is under 400% of the federal poverty level - up from the current 200% limit. This directly affects low-income working individuals receiving public assistance who are transitioning from unemployment to employment. The policy change aims to provide a longer financial buffer during early employment while maintaining eligibility for benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands public assistance eligibility by raising income threshold for earned income disregard, providing tax relief to low-income workers transitioning to employment.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases income threshold for public assistance during job transition, preventing benefit loss for low-income workers entering employment.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · New York · Assembly May 14, 2026

A 11365: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2026 through May 18, 2026

This bill provides emergency funding to state government agencies for a short period from April 1 to May 18, 2026, ensuring operations continue while the regular annual budget is finalized. The legislation authorizes approximately $2.1 billion to pay state employees and covers an additional $30 million for various contracts, grants, and capital project liabilities. These funds are designated for all state departments and agencies, including the executive branch and the legislature, to cover payroll and necessary operational expenses. The bill acts as a temporary financial bridge until the governor submits and the legislature enacts the full appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides emergency funding to ensure state government operations and employee pay continue, directly advancing fiscal management and budget stability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4033: Relates to the disposition of certain fines and penalties

This bill redirects fines and penalties from environmental conservation violations (such as violations of fishing rules or pollution regulations) into a dedicated "conservation enforcement account" within the state conservation fund, rather than the general state fund. It specifies that all fines collected under Titles 19, 21, and 27 of the environmental conservation law, plus related surcharges, must be deposited into this account. The funds are exclusively for enforcing environmental laws, including paying for enforcement staff, scientists, and legal support. This ensures these penalties directly support conservation enforcement efforts without replacing existing funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects environmental fines to dedicated conservation enforcement account, ensuring funds directly support environmental programs rather than general budget, promoting fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects environmental violation fines to dedicated conservation enforcement fund, ensuring resources directly support environmental law enforcement per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · New York · Assembly May 11, 2026

A 11295: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2026 through May 14, 2026

This bill provides emergency funding for state government operations from April 1, 2026, through May 14, 2026, to ensure essential services continue while the regular annual budget is being finalized. The legislation allocates money to cover employee salaries and benefits, operational expenses, and payments for approved contracts and grants across all state departments and agencies. Specific funds are designated for personal services, non-personal service liabilities, and capital project costs incurred during this interim period. The bill authorizes the state comptroller to make these payments immediately, bridging the gap until the governor submits and the legislature enacts the full fiscal year budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides emergency funding to ensure essential state services continue, directly advancing the budget topic.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · New York · Senate May 7, 2026

S 10221: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2026 through May 11, 2026

This bill provides emergency funding to keep state government operations running from April 1, 2026, through May 11, 2026, while waiting for the regular annual budget to be finalized. It authorizes the comptroller to pay salaries and benefits for state employees, cover essential non-personal expenses like supplies and utilities, and fund approved contracts and capital projects. The legislation allocates nearly $1.8 billion for employee compensation, $56 million for general state operations, and an additional $30 million for various contracts and grants. These funds are intended to ensure that all state departments and agencies can continue their normal activities without interruption during this specific two-month period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides emergency funding to keep state government operations running, funding salaries and essential services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

in committee · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 3950: Expands the empire state apprenticeship tax credit to include additional credit for people with disabilities

This bill expands New York's existing apprenticeship tax credit by adding a $500 annual tax credit for employers who hire individuals with disabilities as apprentices. It directly affects employers participating in state-approved apprenticeship programs who hire people meeting the state's disability definition (from Executive Law §292(21)). The new credit applies separately from the existing annual credit structure for apprentice years (e.g., $2,000 for first-year apprentices), providing an additional incentive for disability inclusion. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $500 tax credit for employers hiring disabled apprentices, providing direct tax relief under state tax code.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill adds $500 tax credit for employers hiring disabled apprentices, directly expanding employment opportunities and promoting inclusive hiring for a vulnerable workforce segment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 1636: Authorizes the city school district of the city of Salamanca to establish a reserve fund for federal impact aid in the event such aid is reduced

This bill authorizes Salamanca City School District to create a reserve fund (capped at $5 million) using existing district funds if federal impact aid decreases. The fund would stabilize school tax levies and maintain educational services if federal aid is reduced, directly affecting Salamanca students and taxpayers. Voter approval via a separate ballot question is required before establishing the fund, and withdrawals would be disclosed in annual budget reports. The bill specifies that funds would be drawn from unassigned balances or other existing reserves, not new taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents tax increases by stabilizing school levies using existing funds if federal aid drops, aligning with fiscal responsibility.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes reserve fund to maintain educational services if federal aid decreases, protecting current funding stability for Salamanca schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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