Governor highlights her proposed state budget

ALBANY – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the highlights of the FY 2025 Budget of $233 billion, up from this year’s by 4.5 percent.

This budget reflects what she said is her commitment to making New York more affordable, more livable and safer – while utilizing a fiscally responsible approach that keeps the State on a steady path for years to come.

Improving Public Safety and Cracking Down on Crime

The FY 2025 Executive Budget makes targeted investments in initiatives that will strengthen efforts to keep New Yorkers safe. Spending for New York State’s public safety agencies includes:

• $347 million investment in programs to prevent and reduce gun violence.
• $290 million to restore the effectiveness of the continuum of the criminal justice system.
• $120 million in victim assistance funding.
• $40.2 million to address retail theft and bring relief to small businesses.
• $40.8 million to reduce assaults with a focus on domestic violence.
• $35 million for the next round of the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program.
• $5 million for the Commercial Security Tax Credit to help business owners offset the costs of retail theft.
• New legislation to strengthen the Cannabis Law, helping the Office of Cannabis Management and local governments seal or padlock unlicensed businesses.

Transforming the Mental Health Continuum of Care

New York’s mental health system has been underfunded for decades, but the FY 2025 Executive Budget raises state investment up over 45 percent, from $3.3 billion in 2022 to $4.8 billion over the entire continuum of care. These investments include:

• $55 million to create 200 new inpatient psychiatric beds.
• $45 million for youth mental health including school-based services and peer-to-peer counseling.
• $43 million to keep supportive housing units for people in need of mental health services.
• $42.2 million to increase reimbursement for mental health treatment services.
• $37 million to build new programs for unhoused…