Senator Felder and Assemblyman Eichenstein Fought for their Communities in New York State Budget

By Yehudit Garmaise

   A week after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he reached an agreement with state legislative leaders to finalize their $212 billion budget, which is the largest in New York’s history, Sen. Simcha Felder and Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein highlighted the budget's priorities for which they fought for the community.

  Thanks to the efforts of Senator Felder and Assemblyman Eichenstein, the budget has allocated funds to benefit in several ways families who send their children to private schools. 

  For instance, New York’s budget increased TAP educational grants by $500 to provide up to $5,665 to New York families who pay tuition at approved schools.

   In addition, the state will reimburse private schools for much of the transportation expenses that were incurred during the lockdowns of the pandemic. Additionally, Staten Island parents now will start to receive free transportation for their children to and from school.

   Ever mindful of Boro Parkers’ safety, New York legislators are offering grants that are designed to boost safety and security at private schools, day care centers, and other non-for-profit institutions that are at risk of being targeted by hate crimes.

    Small businesses also will receive $1 billion in grants and tax credits, and tenants and landlords will receive $2.3 billion in rent relief.

    Tax cuts are also in store this year for New Yorkers in middle class tax brackets, Senator Felder and Assemblyman Eichenstein pointed out. 

   Also of interest to Boro Park, New York City’s neighborhood with the highest birth rate, is the $2.5 billion the state’s budget has allocated toward child care programming and an expansion of full-day Pre-K programs, including those at private schools.

    The budget aims to improve maternal and post-partum health as well, by extending Medicaid coverage for pregnant women from 60 days to one year.

      Other priorities of Senator Felder and Assemblyman Eichenstein which were included in the budget were to provide additional funding toward food banks and to New Yorkers who need funds to heat their homes.