Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner’s Newsletter
Dear Friends,
This week Governor Hochul released her 2023-2024 Executive Budget. As is the case in most years, there are some positive aspects to the Governor’s budget proposal and some things that I find concerning. Before I outline some of the positives and areas of concern, a quick refresh on the process we will go through to produce an adopted final budget. Beginning next week and continuing for two weeks, there will be joint budget hearings on the various sections of the budget; agency heads and community groups will offer testimony on the budget proposal. In mid-March, the Assembly and the Senate will each produce and vote on a “one house” budget resolution; the Assembly budget resolution will reflect the priorities of the Assembly membership and will serve as a basis of negotiation with the Governor and the Senate. The final budget bills will be voted on or before March 31.
What are some of the aspects of the Governor’s budget proposal that I think are positive? No increase in income taxes, preservation of the VLT Impact Aid for Saratoga Springs, making the Investment Tax Credit for Farmers refundable, significant investment in school aid including CTE/Ptech/Early College High School, investment in mental health services across the continuum of care, expansion of child care and youth employment opportunities, removing the “least restrictive mean” language from the bail laws and increasing funding to the District Attorneys and State Police, continuing the economic development investments including the Downtown Revitalization Initiatives and creating a new office Semi-conductor economic development initiatives, and investments in new housing particularly focused on home ownership.
And some of the areas I have concerns about? The increase in Medicaid reimbursements for nursing homes and hospitals is woefully inadequate to address the serious financial challenges facing these healthcare institutions. The budget proposal shifts some Medicaid costs to the counties which will have a significant impact on county budgets and county property taxes. The Opioid Settlement funds are not allocated according to the recommendations of the Opioid Advisory board. The school nutrition programs that are a priority for our schools are not included.
I am still combing through the Executive budget proposal, but these items are just a few of the positives and negatives that I have found so far. My staff is just about finished entering all of the constituent surveys you have sent in so far and I will be using that information to help guide me in my advocacy as the Assembly puts together its “one house” budget resolution.
Speaking of my staff, I’d like you to meet the terrific team members that support the 113th Assembly District. We’re all “Wearing Red for Women” in honor of the American Heart Association awareness campaign to highlight how heart disease affects women. From the top:
Kim Sheridan-Dugmore is the District Manager. Kim S-D. handles all of the constituent case work, helping to resolve problems constituents are having with NYS government agencies. She also manages my schedule and keeps me on track each day. Prior to joining the team in January, Kim served as the Village Clerk in Round Lake. She is also a jewelry designer/maker and you can find The Quiet Woods line of jewelry at local craft fairs.
Kim Milligan is the Constituent Liaison. Kim M. is the first point of contact for constituents who reach out to advocate for or against a bill, who want to make sure I am paying attention to a particular issue, or who have a problem that they are hoping we can help resolve. Kim’s background is in elder home care and in advocacy for the needs of developmentally disabled children and adults. Kim is from South Glens Falls where she and her daughter Keeley are active in the South High Marathon Dance.
Deirdre Ladd is the Communications Director. Deirdre is responsible for writing the resolutions, proclamations and citations that I present at various events. She also serves as the point of contact for the press. And Deirdre organizes events we host like the annual Women of Distinction event. Deirdre’s background is in corporate communications and public relations. She lives in Saratoga Springs and is active with the Prevention Council, the SoBro (South Broadway) Land Conservancy, the Brookside Museum and the Saratoga Springs Climate Smart Task Force.
Nicole Clarke is the Legislative Director. Nicole drafts all of the legislation I introduce, and reviews bills before I sign on to co-sponsor them. An attorney by training, Nicole’s legal expertise is an invaluable resource for the legislative work that we do. Nicole returned to the workforce after raising her two children; prior to that she was an attorney at Hinman-Straub in their healthcare law practice. She is a sports enthusiast, has coached high school tennis, referee’d high school basketball, and is a huge fan of her sons’ soccer and basketball teams in Galway.
I participated in a Joint Hearing on the status of Mobile Sports Gaming this week. Video clips of my participation can be found here: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Carrie-Woerner/video/.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Superintendent Krislynn Dengler, Glens Falls City School District, and with Superintend Brian George, Glens Falls Common School District, this past week. These were great opportunities for me to get to know these school districts and to learn a bit about what makes them special and how I can best be of help to the leaders and teachers in these districts.
And finally, a short video I made about the importance of libraries — I hope you enjoy! Click here for the video: On Libraries
Have a safe, and warm, weekend!
