CityAndStateNY.com
April 12, 2021
Democratic state Sen. Robert Jackson, above, successfully got Foundation Aid school funding in the state budget.
THE STATE FINALLY HAS A BUDGET
It came seven days late, but New York approved a new state budget. The spending agreement totals $212 billion, larger than both the governor’s plan and proposals by the state Legislature. It includes $29.5 billion in school aid that for the first time fully funds Foundation Aid with a
$1.4 billion increase in funding. The bump in spending resolves the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit that found some schools in the state were getting shortchanged. The budget also includes $2.4 billion for rent relief for those struggling during the pandemic and a $2.1 billion fund for undocumented workers who had been ineligible for unemployment
and federal COVID-19 relief. The fund was one of the most contentious parts of the budget that was vehemently opposed by Republicans and was met with concern by some Democrats. Another one of the sticking points was the legalization of mobile sports betting, which made it into the final budget. In addition to everything else, the budget included new taxes on the wealthy, including new tax rates for high-earners, that will raise $4.3 billion annually. Although it falls short of the $7 billion the Legislature had proposed, it still represented a victory for progressives and legislative Democrats. Gov. Andrew Cuomo had long opposed tax hikes of any kind. Although the progressive left did not get everything they wanted, the budget deal was still a win
for the Legislature against a governor weakened by multiple scandals. Both chambers have Democratic supermajorities this year and they seemed willing to flex their influence in ways not seen in recent memory during the budget.
“This is going to be the first time I vote for a budget.” – Assembly Member Charles Barron, a longtime budget dissident, via Twitter
THE ARTS ARE BAAACK New York City’s fight against COVID-19 may be stagnating, but the show must go on. Mayor Bill de Blasio celebrated the reopening of theater and arts venues last week, including at an outdoor concert for health care workers. We’re not sure about the inspiration behind an art installation at Lincoln Center featuring sheep puppets, but it’s been a long year inside. We may need some practice flexing our artistic muscles.
“He decided to join the wrong party, but that’s his problem.” – Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie joking with Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, via Twitter
NEW DETAILS ON CUOMO GROPING ALLEGATIONS
The aide who accused Cuomo of groping her provided additional details about the incident for the first time since the allegation came to light about a month ago. Although her name is still not public to protect her identity, the current Cuomo staffer detailed this and other experiences with the governor. The woman said that Cuomo had been grooming her for two years through increasingly inappropriate behavior that started with tight hugs and kisses on the cheek. In a newly detailed incident, the staffer described how the governor reached under her shirt and grabbed one of her breasts over her bra. She also described a separate incident when the governor asked to take a selfie, and then began to rub her butt when they got close for the picture. After the alleged groping took place, and after ex-staffer Lindsey Boylan first made her allegations of sexual harassment in December, the woman said Cuomo told her she can’t talk
NYS SENATE MEDIA SERVICES; A KATZ/SHUTTERSTOCK; MICHAEL APPLETON/MAYORAL PHOTOGRAPHY OFFICE; ASSEMBLY; U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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