New York state Sen. James Skoufis referred to affordability as his top priority in the ongoing state budget negotiations at a Feb. 7 virtual forum.
Skoufis, a Democrat representing most of Orange County, has hosted a public forum every budget season to understand the need for funding in local communities.
Following New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal in January, the state Assembly and Senate will produce their versions in the coming weeks before a final agreement is reached. The state Legislature is due to pass an annual budget by April 1, though it has not always met that deadline.
At the budget forum, Skoufis said he would focus his energy on negotiating around Hochul’s affordability agenda, particularly reducing income tax rates for middle-class families, raising the child tax credit, and bringing free meals to every student in New York….