New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright have announced a "recover and restart" state budget plan that targets historic investments in health care, housing, education, higher education, and local support for seniors and the working and middle class. 

"We must look to the future even as we press ahead to vaccinate every New Yorker and defeat COVID-19," said Assembly Member Seawright. "The Assembly proposal will provide the funding to complete the recovery, restart the economy and restore and rebuild our communities."

"We are receiving significant federal funding, but we must also ask those who can do more to step up and help, said Speaker Heastie. "We need to make investments that will aid in our state's recovery while ensuring that New Yorkers continue to have access to the vital services they need."

The budget makes investments in critical social service programs and public housing and provides a rent relief program for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, $3.125 billion in combined federal and state dollars will be provided for rent relief, including:

• $29.5 billion in K-12 school aid. $1.4 billion increase in Foundation Aid funding for public schools.
• $400 million for prospective rent;
• $200 million to reduce homelessness; and
• $100 million to supplement $575 million in federal mortgage relief in the most recent federal stimulus for a total of $675 million for mortgage relief.

The Assembly's proposed budget includes $1 billion for a new Small Business Reopening and Relief Grant Program. Grants cover various business costs, including payroll, rent, mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities, full or pro-rated state-required fees, as well as the purchase of pandemic-related expenses. These include personal protective equipment necessary to protect workers and consumers, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and other related construction costs.

"These critical investments will help New York's small businesses recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and get New Yorkers back to work," said Seawright.

The Assembly plan would restore funding to general support for public schools, an increase of $3.1 billion or 12 percent, over the 2020-21 school year. Environmental initiatives would include $140 million for clean water infrastructure for New York City. The plan restores critical funding for programs that support children and families and invests in vital mental health, addiction, and substance abuse services.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on New York's arts and entertainment industry. Across the state, museums and other venues closed for months and still operate at a reduced capacity. The Assembly's proposed spending plan would invest $100 million in a new Arts Recovery and Revitalization Program to assist with reopening various arts organizations' efforts and providing financial support for converting new outdoor venue spaces.

The budget invests in making higher education accessible for all New York students, funding the State University of New York and City University of New York's world-class education, and providing almost $180 million for opportunity programs.

The Assembly's budget includes funding for capital projects that would update and improve campuses. SUNY would receive $180 million. CUNY would receive $120 million for expansion projects to ensure colleges have state-of-the-art facilities that offer current and future students the best possible education. The funding plan also increases critical maintenance funding to SUNY by $100 million for $650 million and by $66 million to CUNY for a total of $350 million, which would maintain classrooms and facilities to keep them modern and safe.