Budget & Taxes

passed · New York · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 3574: Relates to notification of a senior real property tax exemption

This bill requires local tax offices to send seniors two notices about renewing their real property tax exemption. It mandates an initial notice 60 days before the tax deadline and a second notice 30 days before if the renewal application hasn't been received. Seniors must submit a completed application by the deadline to maintain their exemption, and tax offices must notify them of approval or denial within three days of the assessment roll closing. This applies directly to seniors who previously qualified for the exemption and need to renew it annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnsures seniors maintain tax exemption through required notices, supporting tax relief for seniors.80% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · New York · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 135: Provides practical support for access to abortion care

Provides practical support for access to abortion care including, but not limited to, reimbursement for ground and air transportation, lodging, meals, childcare, translation services, and doula support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for reimbursement of abortion care expenses, directly funding essential services through government spending.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reimburses transportation, lodging, and childcare for abortion care access, directly improving patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 27: Provides for tuition assistance program awards for students experiencing homelessness

This bill expands New York's tuition assistance program to include students experiencing homelessness, directly affecting homeless students seeking financial aid for higher education. It modifies eligibility criteria to align with federal definitions under the McKinney-Vento Act and requires a standardized verification process for homelessness status across all tuition assistance programs. The bill also clarifies that homeless students cannot be considered "emancipated" for aid purposes solely based on their homelessness status. These changes aim to streamline access to financial aid for homeless students while ensuring consistent federal-aligned verification.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded tuition assistance program requiring additional budget allocation for homeless students' educational aid, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance eligibility for homeless students, increasing higher education access and aligning with federal homelessness protections under McKinney-Vento.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tuition aid to homeless students, directly addressing homelessness per McKinney-Vento Act eligibility requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 594: Relates to providing universal school meals to students

Requires all public school districts, charter schools and non-public schools in the state that participate in the national school lunch program or school breakfast program as provided in the national child nutrition act to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to the student.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state-funded universal school meals, requiring increased public spending on education services per bill summary.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires universal free school meals for all participating schools, removing cost barriers to student nutrition and access. Directly advances educational access and student well-being.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3779: Relates to increasing the maximum years of study under the tuition assistance program

S 3779 increases the maximum number of academic years students can receive tuition assistance under New York's program from four to six years. It directly affects undergraduate students enrolled in eligible two- or four-year colleges who rely on this state-funded aid. The key change extends eligibility periods, with specific provisions for students in remedial programs (counted as five-year programs) and those transferring due to college closures (allowing up to two additional semesters). This update aligns the program with longer degree completion timelines common in higher education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded tuition assistance program, requiring increased budget allocation for education access and student support.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends tuition aid eligibility from 4 to 6 years, increasing access to higher education funding and reducing financial barriers for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1127: Relates to increasing the standards of monthly need and home energy grant amounts for persons in receipt of public assistance

This bill increases financial assistance standards for New York residents receiving public assistance. Starting July 1, 2025, the monthly need standard for eligibility and maximum benefit amounts will double (e.g., from $158 to $316 for single-person households), with annual adjustments tied to federal cost-of-living changes. Home energy grants and supplemental home energy grants also double starting July 2025 (e.g., from $14.10 to $28.20 monthly for single-person households). These changes directly affect low-income individuals and families qualifying for state public assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state spending on public assistance and home energy grants by doubling benefits, directly funding essential programs for low-income residents.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDoubles home energy grants for public assistance recipients to reduce energy cost burdens, directly protecting utility consumers and advancing affordability.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill doubles home energy grants ($14.10→$28.20) for public assistance recipients, directly increasing financial support for housing affordability and energy costs.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3272: Establishes the YMCA distinctive license plate

This bill creates a "YMCA member" distinctive license plate for New York residents who are YMCA members. To obtain the plate, applicants must provide proof of YMCA membership and pay a $25 annual fee in addition to standard registration costs. The $25 fee is deposited directly into the New York State YMCA Foundation Fund, which supports YMCA programs and services across the state. The bill establishes this fund in state law and outlines how the money will be managed and spent, with no impact on existing license plate fees or state budgets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $25 annual fee for YMCA license plate, depositing funds directly into YMCA Foundation Fund to support state programs, aligning with funding essential services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 121: Increases the amount of income property owners may earn for the purpose of eligibility for the property tax exemption for persons over sixty-five years of age

Increases the amount of income property owners may earn for the purpose of eligibility for the property tax exemption for persons over sixty-five years of age; increases such amount to $75,000.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exemption threshold for seniors, providing tax relief to lower-income elderly homeowners by raising income limit to $75,000.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 688: Relates to the real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers killed in the line of duty

Amends the real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers killed in the line of duty to permit continuation of such exemption for volunteer members with service between two and five years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends real property tax exemption for surviving spouses, providing targeted tax relief under fiscal policy without increasing government spending.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · New York · Assembly Apr 7, 2025

A 7695: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2025 through April 9, 2025

This bill provides emergency funding to cover essential state government operations from April 1 to April 9, 2025, during a budget gap before the new fiscal year begins. It directly affects all state employees (including executive branch officials, judiciary staff, and legislature personnel) and agencies by authorizing payments for payroll, accrued liabilities, and operational costs during this period. Key provisions include funding for personal services, employee fringe benefits (like health insurance and retirement contributions), and non-personal service expenses incurred through April 9. The appropriation ensures continuity of government services without disrupting existing programs or authority under current law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEmergency appropriation fills budget gap to maintain essential operations, ensuring fiscal continuity during fiscal transition period.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds payroll and fringe benefits for state employees during budget gap, ensuring continued compensation and benefits per bill summary.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent