budget

Cuomo’s proposal would set aside $100 million of the state tax revenue generated by the cannabis industry to be reinvested for purposes of social equity, targeting communities disproportionately impacted by the state’s drug laws.

The state is now in the process of decommissioning three prisons: Gowanda, Watertown and the Clinton Annex in Dannemora.

The proposal would increase the state’s personal income tax from 3.07% to 4.49% in the next fiscal year.

Environmental advocates say money in the state budget meant for environmental initiatives needs to stay intact. Advocates want the state to fund the environmental programs they promised.

Cuomo said if Biden and the Democratic-led Congress don’t come through with the full amount he's seeking, he will commence litigation.

Cuomo, during his address on the state budget Tuesday, said the potential tax revenue from the cannabis industry would likely help garner support for legalization this year.

New York NOW's Dan Clark hosted live coverage of the address along with analysis of the address with David Lombardo, host of The Capitol Pressroom on public radio, and Amanda Fries from the Times Union.

The governor in his State of the State address on January 11, said without a bailout, the choices to close the deficit are grim, and they include tax hikes, and cuts to schools.

“We are at war — a war that started last year when we were ambushed by the COVID virus, and a war that continues today,”

The budget is about a 6 percent decrease from 2020.