N.Y. budget includes key North Country funding

PLATTSBURGH | After calling the recent New York budget process one of the most frustrating since he's taken office, Assemblyman Billy Jones said the sweeping proposals did yield numerous important measures for the North Country. "This budget process was the most arduous and frustrating that I have been a part of since elected to the New York State Assembly. With that aside, I am pleased that the approved budget will invest in the North Country's recovery, including assistance for our hardworking agricultural community, increased money for schools, and funding to tackle broadband accessibility and transportation infrastructure, along with support for our veterans," Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) said April 7. Important funding was also included for transportation infrastructure, he said. "North Country residents depend on the stability of their local infrastructure. Whether traveling to work, to pick up children, or to obtain healthcare it is crucial that our roads and bridges be safe," the veteran lawmaker said. With local municipalities relying heavily on Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding to complete necessary maintenance and improvements, Jones was pleased the budget increases CHIPS funding by $100 million for roughly $538 million in state aid. Hoping to again address what he calls "broadband infrastructure deserts" in the North Country, Jones and other local representatives help secure a $1 million appropriation for an in-depth broadband study. The 2021-22 approved state budget would also provide: An additional $50 million for PAVE NY, which is used to rehabilitate and repave local roads and bridges $100 million for the Extreme Winter Recovery program, which had been cut in the executive budget proposal $39.7 million in funding for the Marchiselli Program, which helps municipalities complete local road and bridge construction and improvement projects. Significant small business support was also included-measures Jones said are needed now more than ever due to the continuing strains of the pandemic. Those measures include: $1 billion for direct support to small businesses $800 million for small business grants $200 million in small business tax credits $35 million Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit. Education and agriculture will also see significant financial support with roughly $36 million in agricultural aid opening for local farmers including $500,000 for Farmland for the New Generation $400,000 for Cornell Equitable Farm Futures Initiative $300,000 for Northern NY Agricultural Development $50 million for the Nourish NY program A three-year extension of the Farm Workforce Retention Credit Jones said important provisions to help veterans were also included as he helped fight to restore $4.5 million in veteran funding and an additional $495,000 for the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project. The budget will also reestablish the state Division of Veterans' Services call-in line to connect veterans directly to Veterans Benefits Advisors and will restore funding for the North Country Veterans' Association. The Hire-a-Vet tax credit will also be extended for two years. The Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) program-called a critical lifeline for local municipalities- will see $656 million. Sun Community News will publish a more in-depth look at the educational aid coming to local school districts in the coming days.

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N.Y. budget includes key North Country funding

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