Gov. Hochul unveils New York's 2024 budget

Plus: Adams walks back on budget cuts. [FORWARD TO A FRIEND]( [VIEW IN BROWSER]( [DONATE]( [WNYC Politics Brief] [Gov. Hochul unveils 2024 budget with $2.4B for migrant spending]( New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to spend $2.4 billion to cover costs associated with the ongoing wave of migrants arriving in New York City, as part of her $233 billion state budget proposal. The Democratic governor’s budget, which was unveiled at the state Capitol on Tuesday morning, closes an estimated $4.3 billion deficit. But instead of doing so by cutting costs or increasing taxes, the spending plan changes forecasts to include an extra $5.9 billion in tax receipts above previous estimates, turning the long-expected deficit into a $2.2 billion surplus and potentially dulling a looming battle with the state Legislature over taxes and spending. “This budget proves you can have fiscal discipline and you can do it with people-focused, progressive policies,” Hochul said in her budget address. [Read more about the state's 2024 budget.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🗳️ --------------------------------------------------------------- More politics stories to know this week What's going on with New York City's budget Back in November, Mayor Eric Adams [announced dramatic cuts]( to the city’s budget that left many agencies and organizations worried about how they would continue to provide essential services for New Yorkers. The NYPD, libraries, the sanitation department, the parks department and public schools all braced for what the budget cuts would mean for them: diminished services, hiring freezes and possible changes to operations. But then last week, Mayor Adams said he would [restore roughly $37 million in cuts]( to the city’s police and fire departments. The next day, Adams [canceled budget cuts]( that would have removed 9,000 litter baskets and eliminated the jobs of 1,400 seasonal parks staffers. On Friday, the mayor announced funds for a summer program and community schools were restored in his [third announcement in three days]( walking back some of his budget cuts. Then on Monday, public libraries also got some news: they would [not face further fiscal cuts]( in Adams upcoming budget. The whole series of events, however, has left many wondering if the cuts, which Adams said had to be made due to the cost of caring for migrants, were necessary in the first place. While the city may have spared several agencies, major cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Carnegie Hall, were not so lucky. In a recent letter to Adams, leaders of the organizations [urged him to reconsider]( the millions of dollars in proposed cuts to their institutions. What's happening around New York state Five Hispanic voters in Mount Pleasant accused the town of systematically harming their rights. The lawsuit was filed under the newly enacted John Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York, as more are expected to follow with the new law in place. [Read more.]( Former New York Governor David Paterson has made history before. He was the state’s first Black governor and the first legally blind governor. And now, he’s making history again as probably the first governor to front a cover band in the state capital. [Read more.]( Here's what's up in New Jersey It’s not a joke: Jon Bramnick, “the funniest lawyer in New Jersey,” who also happens to be a state legislator, will announce his run for governor later this month during an appearance at a comedy club. [Read more.]( Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation Friday which will guarantee a minimum wage and other labor benefits and protections for house cleaners, home caretakers and other domestic workers. [Read more.]( Last week, Murphy asked charter bus companies for 32 hours' notice before they bring busloads of migrants to New Jersey, which he says has slowed the number of buses arriving from Texas. [Read more.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🗳️ --------------------------------------------------------------- [the logo for the Brian Lehrer daily politics podcast]( [MLK Day Meets First Presidential Votes in Iowa]( With extreme cold weather in Iowa on the day of their caucuses, listeners with ties to the state share their takes on the election, and the nomination system. [LISTEN]( Support WNYC + Gothamist Make a donation to support local, independent journalism. Your contributions are our largest source of funding and pays for essential political coverage and more. [DONATE]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [WNYC]( [WQXR]( [NJPR]( [GOTHAMIST]( [WNYC STUDIOS]( [THE GREENE SPACE]( Copyright © New York Public Radio. 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013 All rights reserved. [Terms of Use.]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your [preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( from this list