As your state Senator in the 39th District, here are some highlights from bills I voted to support in the 2024-25 state budget. Please contact our office with any questions or concerns by emailing us at rolison@nysenate.gov or calling 845-229-0106. We’re happy to help you.
The $237 billion state budget consists of two categories of legislation, appropriations and Article VII language bills which tie funding to specific policies. There are a total of 10 budget bills: some good, others bad.
This budget cracks down on shoplifting and organized retail theft, an issue which 76% of New Yorkers see as a “major problem” in a new Siena College poll. The budget makes assault on a retail worker a Class E felony and creates the new offense of fostering the sale of stolen goods, a Class A misdemeanor. I also voted for $25 million for State Police anti-retail-theft teams to prevent organized criminal gangs from robbing stores and expanded the list of offenses eligible as hate crimes by 23. The budget additionally empowers local law enforcement to close illegal marijuana dispensaries throughout the state. As a retired former police officer who served his community for 26 years, I believe this policy represents a critical step in permanently shutting down these lawbreakers.
The budget does not raise personal income-tax rates and lowers out-of-pocket costs on common healthcare needs such as insulin. I also voted to approve a first-in-the-nation paid prenatal-leave policy to support expectant mothers and families. We did something to address the frankly appalling condition of our state roads by restoring $60 million the governor cut from our Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) to fill potholes and repave.
And we approved millions of dollars in new investments for capital projects such as drinking water infrastructure, library construction, raised the state share of wastewater-improvement financing by $1.25 million, and supported arts and cultural facilities, parks and historic preservation, and public-transit resiliency – including $20 million in reimbursement payments to the MTA for construction along Metro-North’s Hudson line. Readers may recall that in 2023 a weather-related mudslide along the route disrupted Metro-North and Amtrak passenger service for days.
This state budget isn’t perfect, but it does make several pragmatic, common-sense steps toward reform in key areas of public safety, affordability, and environmental conservation for Hudson Valley residents. It helps those who may feel left behind and ignored by Albany, a too-frequent occurrence in recent years. In the coming months I’ll continue to fight for these and other major priorities as your independent voice in the state Senate.
Sincerely,
Rob Rolison
NYS Senate, 39th District
