State lawmakers react to Hochul’s budget proposal

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $260 billion state spending plan still has to clear the Democratic-run state legislature, and some lawmakers told NY1 they think she’s excluding some key proposals: like a wealth tax and free MTA buses.

Others argue her focus is already divided because of her reelection bid.

“She’s got a lot to deal with because she’s up for reelection,” Queens Democratic Assemblyman David Weprin said.

The state budget must pass both the 63-member state Senate and 150-member state Assembly. Democrats do hold strong majorities — but that doesn’t mean Hochul has their stamp of approval.

“If we find a way to do that outside of raising taxes, great. And if the money is short, then we’ll have to have that harder conversation,” State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, told NY1.

His district overlapped with Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s old assembly district and wants to turn Hochul’s “no” to a free bus program into a “yes.”

“I’m all about the free buses! The mayor, when he was in the assembly, and I, got the pilot program passed two years ago. It was very successful. He’s pushing to expand it, I join him in that,” Gianaris said.

Although Hochul wants to gift Mamdani an early win on mayoral control of city schools, with her budget director announcing the current proposal includes a four-year extension, there’s no new money to help the city comply with the state’s smaller class size mandate.

It’s estimated to cost billions of dollars. One top proponent says he’s talked to Mamdani about possibly amending the law.

“If the city would like to finally reduce class sizes down to state and national norms, we are more than willing to work with them,” State Sen. John Liu, a Democrat from Queens, said.

The governor also included new proposals aimed at curbing federal immigration enforcement. Some argue she’s not going far enough.

“I was disappointed she didn’t say the one thing we are waiting for, which is ‘New York for All.’ Afterwards, she released more information and she talked about sensitive areas — I think that ship has sailed. I think the sensitive area is being Black or Brown out in the street,” Brooklyn Democratic State Assemblywoman Marcela Mitaynes said.

The “New York for All Act” would severely limit state and local law enforcement collaboration with ICE.

Hochul promised no new taxes this year, drawing praise from lawmakers.

“If the governor says there’s enough money in the reserves to get childcare, universal childcare, who cares where it’s coming from,” Brooklyn State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, a Democrat, said.

But she is including a brand-new tax on “ZYN” nicotine pouches.

“I think ‘zyning’ comes with some health concerns. I think my doctor would say he doesn’t want me to Zyn,” said Manhattan Democratic State Assemblyman Alex Bores, who is also running for Congress in New York’s 12th district.

Besides the budget’s April 1 deadline, Hochul and all members of the legislature are up for reelection this fall.

The current lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, is challenging Hochul for her seat — and she is vetting potential running mates.

“We definitely want someone from downstate to balance what upstate folks need and want, and I think for me, I want someone who will be an active partner in the legislature,” Mitaynes told NY1 when asked what she thinks Hochul should be looking for in a candidate.