As the new fiscal year in New York State begins, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo announced today several initiatives outlined in the 2014-2015 budget that will help the Southern Tier.

“I worked hard with my colleagues in Albany to help pass an on-time budget that makes critical investments in our area,” said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell). “The budget is always a compromise, but we came away with funding for important programs that will boost economic development and improve the quality of life for our residents.”

Below are highlights from the 2014-2015 budget:

• SUNY Capital Projects
  • $10 million for the Binghamton University Pharmacy School.
  • $5 million for the SUNY Broome Hospitality Center in the historic Carnegie Library in downtown Binghamton.
• Education
  • Broome County will receive $10.9 million more in school aid than last year, an additional $6.4 over the Governor’s original proposal. This includes a $7.4 Gap Elimination Adjustment restoration.
  • Broome County Schools will have access to $24.2 million from the Smart Schools Bond, should it receive voter approval.
• Common Core
  • Bans standardized "bubble tests" for students in grades k-2.
  • Math and ELA test scores for students in grades 3-8 will not be used in student assessments and will not appear on permanent records.
  • Establishes strict student data protections and security requirements Creates development tools to help teachers, principals, and parents better understand Common Core.
• Tax Relief
  • Property Tax Freeze: Should local school districts and municipalities stay within the 2% property tax cap; homeowners will receive a property tax rebate equal to their tax increase for that year.
  • Lowers the income tax rate on manufacturers to zero and establishes a 20% real property tax credit for manufactures which own or lease their own property.
• Child Care
  • $34 million for child care subsidies, which will open up thousands of new slots across the state.
• Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Program (EPIC)
  • $4.1 million the expansion of the eligibility for EPIC
• Statewide Health Information Network (SHIN-NY)
  • $65 million for the continued development of SHIN-NY, a statewide electronic medical record system.
• OMH/OPWDD
  • $38 million to expand community mental health services, including supported apartments and enhanced services for children.
  • $600,000 for mobile crisis units
• Infrastructure Repair
  • $40 million for "extreme weather recovery" to supplement the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs). Money will be used for pothole repair across the state.
• Agriculture
  • $8.5 million in increased agriculture support. Includes the NY Young Farmers Initiative, including $1 million in grants to help start or expand an agriculture business and $100,000 in loan forgiveness for agriculture graduates who commit to farming careers.
• Sportsmen
  • Authorizes crossbow hunting for hunters 14-years or older for small game, and for big game during firearms seasons and portions of archery season.
  • $6 million to improve access to outdoor recreation activities across the state.
  • Increases the number of free fishing days from two to eight.