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State Budget

Capital District
Politics
Hochul's Favorability Rating Negative For First Time; Strong Majority Says 'Hard Working': Poll Hochul's Favorability Rating Negative For First Time; Strong Majority Says 'Hard Working': Poll
Hochul's Favorability Rating Negative For First Time; Strong Majority Says 'Hard Working': Poll For the first time since taking office, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s favorability rating is in the negative, new polling finds. Among registered voters, 45 percent hold an unfavorable view of the 64-year-old Democrat, compared to 40 percent who view her favorability, according to a newly-released Siena College poll. In March 2023, voters were split evenly 43 to 43 percent. Hochul’s job approval rating also appears to have taken a hit, sliding to 50-44 percent from 52-41 percent in March, according to pollsters. A strong majority, 58 to 20 percent, think she is hard-working, and a plurali…

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by Michael Mashburn
Rivertowns
News
Will You Get One? 1.75 Million NYers Will Receive Checks Averaging $270 Will You Get One? 1.75 Million NYers Will Receive Checks Averaging $270
Will You Get One? 1.75 Million NYers Will Receive Checks Averaging $270 New Yorkers may want to keep an eye on their mailbox in the coming weeks as the state gears up to send out relief checks to low income families aimed at combating inflation and improving affordability. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance will soon begin sending out checks with an average payment of $270 per eligible recipient to those who received the Empire State Child Credit and/or the Earned Income Credit on their 2021 state tax returns. Checks will be mailed automatically and recipients don’t need to do anything in order to receive them, the department said. The exact amou…

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by Michael Mashburn
Brookfield
Politics
New Report Reveals How CT Politicians Keep Unclaimed Money From Public New Report Reveals How CT Politicians Keep Unclaimed Money From Public
New Report Reveals How CT Politicians Keep Unclaimed Money From Public Billions of dollars in uncashed checks, forgotten insurance policies, and forgotten investments are being swept up by politicians in Connecticut, according to a new report from the CT Mirror. Between 2000 and 2021, the Connecticut Treasurer’s office reportedly colleges more than $2.3 billion through a state program that was initially created to return the unclaimed property and cash to investors. However, less than 40 percent of that money makes it back to its owners, according to the report, while the majority of the unclaimed cash has been going into the state’s general fund, making it e…

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by Zak Failla
Stamford
News
Cheers: Lamont Announces New Tax Reduction On Beer In Connecticut Cheers: Lamont Announces New Tax Reduction On Beer In Connecticut
Cheers: Lamont Announces New Tax Reduction On Beer In Connecticut Craft brewers in Connecticut are saying cheers, as taxes on beer in the state are set to decrease by nearly 17 percent under the newly enacted state budget. Gov. Ned Lamont made the announcement on Wednesday, July 14. Lamont said the decision was made to support the craft brewery industry.  “Connecticut’s craft brewery industry has been booming in recent years, and it is evidenced by the growth of hundreds of new jobs for our state’s residents,” the governor said. “We should be doing everything we can to support locally-owned small businesses, including craft breweries." Lamont said a…

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by Nicole Valinote
Brookfield
Schools
CT Schools Using Indian Mascots Could Lose Millions In Funding CT Schools Using Indian Mascots Could Lose Millions In Funding
CT Schools Using Indian Mascots Could Lose Millions In Funding Towns in Connecticut that continue using Native American mascots could take a financial hit under a newly proposed budget measure. A provision within the state budget implementer bill being voted on Tuesday, June 15 could potentially withhold funding to any Connecticut high school mascot or team that uses Native American imagery without one of the state tribe’s permission. At least a dozen high schools in Connecticut use Native American names and mascots, though many have already begun the process of phasing them out and implementing new ones. If approved, schools that don't comply would l…

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by Zak Failla
White Plains
News
Cuomo Makes Latest Push For Legalized Marijuana In New York Cuomo Makes Latest Push For Legalized Marijuana In New York
Cuomo Makes Latest Push For Legalized Marijuana In New York With just a week until the state budget is due and New York facing an unprecedented budget shortfall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo renewed his calls for legalized marijuana. In speaking about the state’s spending plan, which is due on Thursday, April 1, Cuomo called legalizing cannabis his “top priority in the budget,” noting that the deal is nearly done, though they haven’t punched through the goal line. Cuomo made note that the state has been attempting to legalize cannabis for three years, though it failed every year. “We’re close, but we’ve been close three times befo…

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by Zak Failla
Nassau
Politics
Move To Scale Back New York's Hotly Contested Cash Bail System Added To State Budget Move To Scale Back New York's Hotly Contested Cash Bail System Added To State Budget
Move To Scale Back New York's Hotly Contested Cash Bail System Added To State Budget New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers are scaling back the state’s cash bail system that has angered law enforcement officials since the measures took effect at the start of the year. An agreement was struck that added a number of new misdemeanor and felony crimes to the long list of those subject to a cash bail order. The lawmakers are expected to approve the measure on Thursday, April 2 as part of the state budget. The previous bail reforms went into effect in January, which no longer permitted judges to demand cash bail for non-violent misdemeanor crimes, no exceptions. Bail cou…

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by Zak Failla
Pelham
Lifestyle
Marijuana Could Be Legalized In New York Within Weeks Marijuana Could Be Legalized In New York Within Weeks
Marijuana Could Be Legalized In New York Within Weeks New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is making the rounds as he prepares for the legalization of marijuana in the Empire State. Cuomo announced he would be taking trips to California, Colorado, Illinois and Massachusetts, all states where cannabis is legal for recreational use, to educate himself as he pushes for legalization. The governor said he will meet with officials in those states to discuss what worked and what didn’t work during the lead up to the legalization of marijuana.  Cuomo has previously stated he wants legalization passed by state officials before April 1, when the state budge…

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by Zak Failla
DV Plus - Fairfield
Schools
New HS In Norwalk Will Save Local Taxpayers $100 Million New HS In Norwalk Will Save Local Taxpayers $100 Million
New HS In Norwalk Will Save Local Taxpayers $100 Million The new high school coming to Fairfield County will save $100 million thanks to the state's budget plan for the building.  A new school building will replace the existing Norwalk High School and be built on the same campus. Classes will be held at the current building until the new building is ready, or parts of it said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. He made an announcement about the four-year project last week, along with city and school officials. The community response has supported the project, according to Duff. "So far, outside of a vocal few, the response has been ov…

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by Donna Christopher
Fairfield
Politics
Analysis Shows How CT Towns Fare In New State Budget Analysis Shows How CT Towns Fare In New State Budget
Analysis Shows How CT Towns Fare In New State Budget Connecticut's $43 budget that Gov. Ned Lamont is expected to sign on Wednesday, June 5 includes more than $2 billion for public schools in each of the next two fiscal years. In addition to Education Cost Sharing grants effective July 1, the two-year budget includes more than $290 million in each year distributed through a combination of non-education grants. These include: the Municipal Revenue Sharing and Stabilization grants, the Mashantucket Pequot grant and programs that partially reimburse communities for properties exempt from local taxes -- such as state land and buildings and no…

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by Jon Craig
Fairfield
Politics
CT Senate OKs $43 Billion State Budget Lamont Hails As 'Fair, Balanced,' But GOP Senator Slams CT Senate OKs $43 Billion State Budget Lamont Hails As 'Fair, Balanced,' But GOP Senator Slams
CT Senate OKs $43 Billion State Budget Lamont Hails As 'Fair, Balanced,' But GOP Senator Slams As promised by Gov. Ned Lamont, Connecticut's $43 billion budget is on time and balanced.  That wasn't enough good news for 14 Senate Republicans and two Democrats who voted against it on Tuesday night, June 4. By a 20-16 vote, the Senate passed a two-year budget that Republicans complained is full of new taxes and shifts billions of dollars in pension debt onto the next generation of taxpayers. The budget erases a $3 billion deficit that Lamont inherited when he became governor in January. Lamont got the support of legislators in making new investments in health care and boostin…

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by Jon Craig
DV Plus - Fairfield
Politics
Will Hospitals, Capital Gains, Soda Be Taxed To Balance State Budget? Will Hospitals, Capital Gains, Soda Be Taxed To Balance State Budget?
Will Hospitals, Capital Gains, Soda Be Taxed To Balance State Budget? Connecticut's state legislative session is coming to a close. While there are still many uncertainties, electronic tolls is not one of them. “My first priority is to get an honestly balanced budget done on time,” Gov. Ned Lamont said.  Lamont's amended two-year, $43 billion budget plan includes: -- Hundreds of millions of dollars in across-the-board tax hikes, -- A plan to shift the rising cost of teachers' pension onto cities and towns, -- A 1 percent tax hike on food sold in restaurants and other ready-to-eat meals, -- A 2 percent surcharge on capital gains taxes, raising up to $20…

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by Jon Craig
DV Plus - Fairfield
Politics
Town Selectmen: Don't Balance State Budget On Local Taxpayers' Backs Town Selectmen: Don't Balance State Budget On Local Taxpayers' Backs
Town Selectmen: Don't Balance State Budget On Local Taxpayers' Backs Don't tread on us, Ned. That's what town and city officials are telling Gov. Ned Lamont and state lawmakers in Hartford. As if the federal mortgage tax deduction cap wasn't damaging enough to Connecticut taxpayers. Now, state lawmakers are considering shifting the rapidly rising, multi-million-dollar cost of teachers' pensions to the annual property tax bill.  While a state Education Committee recently scrubbed the proposal in a bipartisan vote, state lawmakers aren't ruling out bringing the proposal back if needed to help balance the two-year state budget.  Until the state …

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by Jon Craig
North Rockland
Politics
Cuomo Gets Big Pay Raise In Special Midnight Resolution By State Legislature Cuomo Gets Big Pay Raise In Special Midnight Resolution By State Legislature
Cuomo Gets Big Pay Raise In Special Midnight Resolution By State Legislature New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and members of his administration are set to get a pay bump as part of an overnight vote made by state lawmakers early on Monday morning, April 1. Cuomo’s salary will be raised to $200,000 this year under a midnight resolution approved by the Legislature, an increase from the $179,000 salary governor’s in New York have received for two decades. The new measures will call for the governor’s salary to increase to $225,000 in 2020 and then to $250,000 in 2021, which would make Cuomo the highest paid governor in the country. The new pay rates were approved at approxim…

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by Zak Failla
Bedford
Politics
Dems Clash: Three Female Lawmakers Slam Secretive Fundraiser, Sparking Spat With Cuomo Aides Dems Clash: Three Female Lawmakers Slam Secretive Fundraiser, Sparking Spat With Cuomo Aides
Dems Clash: Three Female Lawmakers Slam Secretive Fundraiser, Sparking Spat With Cuomo Aides Suspicious and secretive fundraising efforts have led to infighting between Democratic state lawmakers, with three women accusing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of hypocrisy and pay-to-play tactics, according to a new report. The New York Times reported earlier this week that Cuomo was the guest of honor at a secretive rooftop fundraiser, where the minimum donation was $25,000. The fundraiser came weeks before the state’s April 1 budget deadline, and was filled with lobbyists looking to further their own interests, the report stated. Earlier story: Secretive $25K Per Plate Rooftop Cuomo F…

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by Zak Failla
Yorktown
Business
NY Nears Statewide Ban On Plastic Bags NY Nears Statewide Ban On Plastic Bags
NY Nears Statewide Ban On Plastic Bags For those of you still holding hopes using plastic bags, the budget vote by state lawmakers may be the end of those pesky bags for good. Lawmakers have until Sunday to come together on a final budget for the new fiscal year which begins Monday, April 1 and a state-wide ban on the bags is pretty much a done deal. The legislation which bans use on all single-use plastic bags will most likely be married to a 5-cent fee on paper bags. While work is still being done on the proposed ban, some sticking points include exempting food stamp recipients and low-income residents from hav…

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by Kathy Reakes
Hackensack
Schools
Murphy's Proposed School Funding Plan Would Help, Hurt These North Jersey Districts Most Murphy's Proposed School Funding Plan Would Help, Hurt These North Jersey Districts Most
Murphy's Proposed School Funding Plan Would Help, Hurt These North Jersey Districts Most Gov. Phil Murphy's proposed education investment plan for New Jersey would give millions to underfunded districts -- but would also take away hundreds from those that are thriving (about $90 million altogether). State lawmakers will see Murphy's 2020 state budget proposal by June 30. If approved, these Bergen, Passaic and Morris county districts would benefit the most, according to preliminary figures (for complete list of New Jersey schools click here). The first figure is the 2019-20 aid, the percentage is the increase. South Hackensack: $345,738 (16.78 percent) Elmwood Park: $9,89…

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by Cecilia Levine
Stamford
Politics
Parting Plan? Malloy Offers Lamont Insights On Multi-Billion-Dollar State Deficit Parting Plan? Malloy Offers Lamont Insights On Multi-Billion-Dollar State Deficit
Parting Plan? Malloy Offers Lamont Insights On Multi-Billion-Dollar State Deficit During the gubernatorial debates, Democrat Ned Lamont said his first order of business would be to craft a fiscally-responsible state budget within 90 days. The clock is ticking, and outgoing governor Dannel P. Malloy offered the governor-elect some tips. Malloy suggested some strategies to avert a multi-billion-dollar deficit that Connecticut could face over the next two years — if solutions remain elusive. Malloy suggested that Lamont, a Democrat from Greenwich, tap into state reserves to avoid tax hikes. Other deficit-trimming options Malloy cited in his transition budget include: …

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by Jon Craig
Fairfield
Politics
Big Win In Bridgeport Makes Lamont Apparent Winner In CT Gubernatorial Race Big Win In Bridgeport Makes Lamont Apparent Winner In CT Gubernatorial Race
Big Win In Bridgeport Makes Lamont Apparent Winner In CT Gubernatorial Race This story has been updated. Greenwich Democrat Ned Lamont pulled off a win in the Connecticut gubernatorial race after being credited overnight with a 15,931 win in the state's largest city, Bridgeport. Lamont also won the state's third-largest city, Hartford, by 17,238 votes. Republican Bob Stefanowski conceded the race for governor about 9 a.m. on Wednesday after late returns from the state’s cities pushed Lamont to victory. “A few moments ago, I called Ned Lamont to concede the race for governor and congratulate him on a hard-fought victory,’’ Stefanowski said in a statement. "I wish …

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by Jon Craig
Greenwich
Politics
Second Governor's Debate Degrades Into Personal Attacks Second Governor's Debate Degrades Into Personal Attacks
Second Governor's Debate Degrades Into Personal Attacks Monday's second gubernatorial debate was less about budget details and more about personal attacks. "I'm not sure what you know,'' Republican Bob Sfefanowski said about Democrat Ned Lamont, prompting boos from the audience. "I've never heard such arrogance,'' Lamont said to groans. "My way or the highway. I'm right and you're wrong. You need a governor who can reach out across the aisles." Lamont and Stefanowski are running to succeed Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, a Democrat who decided not to seek re-election on Nov. 6. Monday's 60-minute televised debate was held at the Shu…

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by Jon Craig
Greenwich
Politics
Gloves Come Off In Governor's Debate Gloves Come Off In Governor's Debate
Gloves Come Off In Governor's Debate Neither gubernatorial candidate pulled punches on Wednesday night in the first of four debates before the Nov. 6 election. Republican Bob Stefanowski of Madison came out swinging by labeling Democrat Ned Lamont as a clone of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.  "Dan Malloy has absolutely ruined this state. With Ned Lamont, it's actually going to be worse,'' Stefanowski said. "He's going to raise taxes and put up tolls."  Lamont, a cable TV entrepreneur from Greenwich, swung back by saying he has heard no details about how Stefanowski would pay for his promises including income tax cuts. …

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by Jon Craig
Fairfield
Politics
Stefanowski, Lamont Meet In First Of Four Gubernatorial Debates Stefanowski, Lamont Meet In First Of Four Gubernatorial Debates
Stefanowski, Lamont Meet In First Of Four Gubernatorial Debates  New story -  Gloves Come Off In First Governor's Debate The first of four debates between the candidates for governor will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Voters can watch the debate on MyTV9 at 7 p.m. or on WTNH.com. For more details, click here.  The debate is presented by News 8, The Day and the Garde Arts Theater in New London.  In their political ads, Republican Bob Stefanowski has tried to link Democrat Ned Lamont to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy unpopular tenure. Lamont points out that Stefanowski has the backing of President Donald Trump. Both candidates have promised to fix Connecti…

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by Jon Craig
Southwest Dutchess
Schools
New State Budget Includes $1B For Schools In 2018-19, And Some Aid 'Losers' New State Budget Includes $1B For Schools In 2018-19, And Some Aid 'Losers'
New State Budget Includes $1B For Schools In 2018-19, And Some Aid 'Losers' The new state budget for 2018-19 includes about $1 billion in extra funding for public schools, but not all area school districts are winners. In fact, several are big losers of state taxpayer assistance according to this database published by the Poughkeepsie Journal. The state budget's $1 billion increase in school aid brings the total to a record $26.7 billion statewide. In Westchester, Briarcliff Manor found itself losing nearly 8 percent in state aid compared to the current school year. Other Westchester "losers" include Pleasantville, Valhalla, Katonah-Lewisboro and North Sa…

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by Jon Craig
Paramus
Lifestyle
Gov. Murphy Makes Rare Exception For Aspiring 5th Grade Paramus Reporter Gov. Murphy Makes Rare Exception For Aspiring 5th Grade Paramus Reporter
Gov. Murphy Makes Rare Exception For Aspiring 5th Grade Paramus Reporter Governor Phil Murphy took no questions from the press Wednesday in Paramus at his first town hall meeting since taking office. Except for one. Meet Jack: a fifth grader at West Brook Middle School. The governor knew he was in the audience, diligently taking notes in his notebook. "I know there is a reporter named Jack in this audience," the governor said after addressing the main points of his budget proposal. "Jack, please raise your hand." The aspiring journalist's hand shot up and the governor made his way over to him. "Jack, what's your question?" Wea…

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by Cecilia Levine
Norwalk
News
Malloy Announces Support For Gas Tax Hike, Highway Tolls Malloy Announces Support For Gas Tax Hike, Highway Tolls
Malloy Announces Support For Gas Tax Hike, Highway Tolls Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced his support Wednesday for highway tolls and a gradual increase in the gasoline tax to pay for road projects, according to multiple reports. Malloy says Connecticut's crumbling and overcrowded roads are costing the state jobs, and he says it's time to bring tolls back after three decades. The governor’s plan would bring tolls back by the year 2022. In the meantime, gas taxes would go up 7 cents per gallon over the next four years. "Our biggest impediment to an even more vibrant economy is our decade’s long refusal to invest in transportation,” Malloy sa…

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by Jon Craig
Harrison
Politics
Gov. Cuomo Unveils State Budget Gov. Cuomo Unveils State Budget
Gov. Cuomo Unveils State Budget New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled his $168 billion 2018-2019 budget to lawmakers on Tuesday. Cuomo's budget includes a three-percent increase in funding for schools and a one-percent increase in funding for higher education. The budget also increases funding for capital projects by 14 percent and health care by three-percent. The budget also reduces spending on transportation, community colleges, mental hygiene and state agencies. State aid to municipalities and counties will be frozen.  The governor said his office is still working on a plan to combat the new federal tax reform bill tha…

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by Sam Barron