NYS Budget Finally Passed!

More than a month after its due date, Governor Hochul and the legislature agreed upon and have now passed a $229.8 billion budget, $2 billion more than what the Governor originally proposed. Read our highlights outlined below:

Education

• Lawmakers increased spending by $15 million (26 percent) for a total of $73 million to reimburse nonpublic schools for a portion of the salaries of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) teachers.
• Although the Governor proposed maintaining funding for Mandated Services Aid at $193,128,000 for a third year in a row, the legislature added $1.9 million to help ensure funding is sufficient to fully reimburse nonpublic schools. Thankfully, the legislature also rejected Governor Hochul’s proposal to eliminate the state’s commitment to fully reimburse nonpublic schools for their mandated expenses.

Respect Life

Below are Radical Solidarity agenda items passed in the budget:

• The Empire State Child Tax Credit is expanded to start at birth, instead of 4 years old.
• The enacted budget directs the Commissioner of Mental Health to establish a maternal mental health workgroup to study and issue recommendations related to maternal mental health and perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.
• Eligibility for childcare assistance is expanded to those making up to 85% of the state median income.
• Statewide presumptive eligibility for childcare assistance is established so that families can access childcare immediately.

Human Services and Mental Health

• A 4% COLA for human services and behavioral health workers is included.
• The budget contains $1 billion for mental health, including investments for 1,000 new inpatient psychiatric beds, $60 million toward capital, $122 million for outpatient services, 3,500 units of supportive housing, and $30 million for children’s mental health.
• The budget authorizes community behavioral health clinics to provide coordinated, comprehensive behavioral health care, including mental health and addiction services, primary care screening, and case management services.
• A new independent developmental disability ombudsman program is established.
• The Office of Mental Health will convene a task force on implementing a mental health crisis response and diversion for mental health, alcohol use, and substance abuse crises.
• The budget increases the standards of monthly need for the aged, blind, and people with disabilities.

Gov. Hochul Signs CUNY/SUNY Abortion Pill Bill

In an effort to further expand abortion in New York, on May 2nd, Governor Hochul signed legislation which provides college students with access to prescription abortion drugs at SUNY and CUNY campuses. 

Rather than being given support when facing a crisis pregnancy, young women away from home for the first time will be handed abortion pills to take care of the "problem." Read our statement on the governor signing this legislation through the button below.

Doctor-Assisted Suicide

Proponents of doctor-assisted suicide are still trying to legalize this deadly practice in New York. Lawmakers need to hear from their constituents if we hope to avoid yet another assault on human life here. Assisted suicide is dangerous for patients, caregivers, and vulnerable populations such as the elderly and people with disabilities. Suicide is not medical care. Please tell your State Senate and Assembly representatives that you oppose this dangerous and deadly practice. Contact your state legislators now!

Resources on Assisted Suicide:

• Read our memo of OPPOSITION, here.
• Learn more about physician assisted suicide from palliative care physician, Dr. Thomas Carroll in episode #14 of our podcast Capitol Compass. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, on our YouTube channel or on our website, https://www.nyscatholic.org/capitol-compass-podcast/.
• Learn more about what we can learn from Canada when it comes to assisted suicide from Dr. Catherine Ferrier, a Canadian physician and president of the Physicians Alliance Against Euthanasia, in episode #28 of our podcast Capitol Compass. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, on our YouTube channel or on our website, https://www.nyscatholic.org/capitol-compass-podcast/.

Bishop Joseph Espaillat on Capitol Compass

You don’t want to miss our latest episode of Capitol Compass, with special guest Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Espaillat of the Archdiocese of New York. Bishop Espaillat’s passion and enthusiasm are contagious. The wide-ranging conversation includes his reaction to being named the youngest bishop in the country by Pope Francis last year and his approach to his ministries with young people and the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on our website.

Walk for Hospice

Our staff is proud to participate in the Walk for Hospice at Siena College on June 17 to help raise funds for The Community Hospice in Albany, part of St. Peter's Health Partners. Help us make a difference and donate to our team.

NYS Eucharistic Congress

As part of the National Eucharistic Revival, the Bishops of the State of New York are hosting a statewide Eucharistic Congress October 20-22, 2023 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, New York. 

To register or learn more, visit https://nyseucharisticcongress.org/

Follow the social media accounts below to get the latest updates on the event.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NYSEC2023
Facebook Event Page: https://fb.me/e/11zvStyzF
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYSEC2023
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nysec2023/