New York Governor Hochul Releases SFY2026 State Executive Budget Proposal

New York Governor Hochul released her SFY2026 Executive Budget proposal.

The following statement can be attributed to Liz Moran, New York policy advocate for Earthjustice:

“Governor Hochul missed a key opportunity to ‘set the standard for the nation’ on climate and environment as she promised New Yorkers — meanwhile, the new federal administration is already moving at a breakneck pace to protect and incentivize corporate polluters, leaving everyday people to suffer from higher costs and a dirtier environment. There is a tremendous gap between the Governor’s rhetoric and her actions. We are prepared to work with the legislature to set the bold vision New Yorkers want with a budget that ensures affordable energy, protects public health, and cuts pollution.”

While Earthjustice continues to review the executive budget proposal for details, we offer our thoughts on the following:

• $1 Billion Climate Fund (“Sustainable Future Program”) – Funding for climate action is urgently needed to help cut energy bills, create good jobs, and reduce pollution. Unfortunately, it appears that spending is planned to be spread over the course of 5-years, which falls far short of the funding communities desperately need. Additionally, questions remain about where and how this funding will be spent. This funding does not cancel out the detrimental impact of the Governor’s delay of cap-and-invest.
•  $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) – Earthjustice is pleased to see a continued commitment to the Environmental Protection Fund.
• $500 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA) – Earthjustice is pleased to see funding maintained for water; however, more funding is needed to keep up with demand. The Legislature should ensure their one-house budgets increases funding by including a minimum of $600 million for the CWIA this year to reflect growing needs due to strains on water infrastructure from our changing climate and the ongoing need to address unregulated and dangerous toxic chemicals.
• NY HEAT Act – New Yorkers still expect the Governor to continue to support the NY HEAT Act, despite her exclusion of the proposal. The real question is whether the Assembly, which has failed three years in a row to pass the NY HEAT Act, will address the dual climate and affordability crises crushing New York families, by saving them up to $136 a month on their energy bills.
• $340 million for Universal Free School Meals – Earthjustice is excited to see this commitment to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to all students regardless of their family’s income, helping reduce food insecurity and costs for families.
• $15.25 for Climate Resilient Farms Program – We applaud the governor for maintaining funding to reduce the impact of agriculture on climate change and to increase the resiliency of New York farms.