January 22, 2014

Governor Cuomo Releases Executive Budget Proposals

On January 21, 2014, Governor Cuomo released his Executive Budget proposals for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2014-2015 budget, which starts on April 1, 2014. This budget marks the first time since 2008 that the State Budget is not closing a deficit.

While providing for very limited growth, particularly to State agencies, the budget includes several proposals that if approved by the legislature will be beneficial to the children of New York.

Read our full summary for the positives, the negatives and the proposals that require further assessment.

Governor Cuomo is creating a Commission on Youth, Public Safety and Justice to develop recommendations on how to Raise the Age of Criminal Responsibility in New York. Currently, New York State is one of only two states that treats all 16 and 17-year olds as adults and Governor Cuomo has agreed that it is time to end this practice that defies both brain science and public safety.

The budget includes a modest $21 million increase to the Child Care Block Grant, a plan to invest in full-day universal pre-kindergarten ($100 million in SFY 2014-2015), and a plan to begin expanding after-school programs in the 2015-2016 school year.

Importantly, while Governor Cuomo proposes increased state commitment to full day universal pre-kindergarten and after-school programs statewide, the funding levels are not sufficient. In addition to these state investments, we also still need Albany to provide New York City with the authority to increase taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers to fund full day UPK for all 4-year olds and after-school programs for all middle school students in NYC.

The Judiciary Budget includes a request to restore funding that has had severe ramifications on the Family Court system, including the ability to keep courts open past 4:30 PM. Given the crisis in Family Courts, created by the sheer volume of cases, the Judiciary Budget also requests funding and legislation to add 20 new Family Court Judges statewide.

CCC was disappointed that the Executive Budget failed to include funding for critical programs and services for children such as: funding to create a new housing subsidy program for homeless families; more funding for runaway and homeless youth services; funding for sexually exploited youth; and funding for post-adoption services for youth adopted from foster care.

CCC will be advocating in Albany for a State Budget that better meets the needs of New York’s children. You can help us by taking action, and following us on Twitter and on Facebook for updates and action items.

Tags
after-school, Family Court Judges, Raise the Age, State Budget, Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), UPKNYC

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