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New York Budget 2026
State workers still getting paid despite late NY budget
Even though New York’s state budget is three weeks overdue, state employees continue to get paid. Lawmakers have kept paychecks flowing by repeatedly passing temporary budget extenders. Gov. Kathy Hochul reaffirmed her commitment to a ... more
Free community college in New York approved in budget
New York State has officially included a free community college plan in the enacted FY 2026 budget. The new program makes higher education more accessible for adult learners statewide. Governor Kathy Hochul's NYS Opportunity Promise ... more
New York families to save nearly $5K under Hochul’s new budget
Governor Kathy Hochul’s FY 2026 state budget delivers major financial relief for working families across New York, including the largest-ever expansion of the state child tax credit, historic middle-class tax cuts, inflation refund checks, and ... more
Hochul skips paying down $6.2B jobless debt
New York’s final state budget won’t erase its massive $6.2 billion unemployment insurance debt, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul. Instead, the plan includes $165 million to cover interest payments that business owners have shouldered since ... more
Hochul claims budget win before deal is done
Despite key elements still unsettled, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared victory Monday night on New York’s overdue state budget, praising progress on tax cuts, child credits, school meals, and inflation relief, according to multiple lawmakers. However, ... more
New York to offer free community college for adults starting in 2025
New York will begin offering free community college tuition to adult learners in 2025, under a new program funded by the FY 2026 state budget. The initiative targets students aged 25 to 55 who want ... more
New York launches $1 billion climate plan in 2025
New York is making its largest climate investment ever, dedicating $1 billion in the FY 2026 budget to green energy, home electrification, EV infrastructure, and renewable projects. Governor Kathy Hochul said the funding will help ... more
New York bans private equity from buying homes for first 90 days
New York will soon ban private equity firms and large institutional investors from buying single- and two-family homes during the first 90 days they’re on the market. The measure, included in the FY 2026 budget, ... more
New York to ban student phone use during school day in 2025
New York will implement a statewide ban on student smartphone use during the school day starting in fall 2025, under a new law funded in the FY 2026 state budget. The policy, called a bell-to-bell ... more
NYPD to patrol every subway train overnight starting in 2025
New York will assign police officers to ride every subway train overnight beginning in 2025, a key part of the FY 2026 state budget’s $77 million investment to improve public safety and restore rider confidence ... more
New York expands Kendra’s Law for mental health intervention
New York is expanding Kendra’s Law as part of its FY 2026 state budget, aiming to improve care for individuals with severe mental illness and increase public safety. The law allows courts to require certain ... more
Free school meals for all New York students in 2025
Starting this fall, every public school student in New York will receive free breakfast and lunch—no application, income limit, or paperwork required. The FY 2026 New York State budget includes $340 million to fund universal ... more
Inflation refund checks coming to 8.2 million New Yorkers under FY 2026 budget
New York’s newly passed FY 2026 budget includes a one-time “inflation refund” designed to ease the financial burden on households hit hardest by rising prices. More than 8.2 million New Yorkers are expected to receive ... more
New York triples child tax credit to fight poverty
Families in New York will see major tax relief thanks to a new expansion of the state’s Child Tax Credit. Included in the FY 2026 budget, the credit will now provide up to $1,000 per ... more
