Policy Alert: Cuomo Budget Proposal

Policy Alert

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POLICY ALERT:GOVERNOR CUOMO DELIVERS BUDGET ADDRESS

Yesterday afternoon, Governor Cuomo delivered his state budget address, outlining policy priorities and investments for the coming fiscal year. The proposed budget totals $175.2 billion and in his address, Cuomo announced proposals to legalize marijuana, institute congestion pricing in New York City, make Election Day a state holiday, open tuition assistance for undocumented students, ban single-use plastic bags, enshrine protections for reproductive rights into state law, and much more. You can read further details and watch the entirety of the address here. Notably, for the first year in many years, the governor did not explicitly address tech in his speech. That being said, the more expansive written documents detailing the proposed budget include several provisions relevant to the tech community, which we’ve outlined below. The state budget will now be negotiated by the state legislature and governor, a process generally lasting until March. Over the next several months, Tech:NYC will be engaging with key government stakeholders on budget issues that are relevant to our community.  Technology Related Budget Provisions: 

• Extending authorization for autonomous vehicle testing for an additional two years, until 2021; 

• Authorizing local governments to allow electric scooters and bicycles;

• Permitting the Dept. of Transportation to assess a fee for fiber optic cables in highway rights of way; 

• Instituting a marketplace provider tax;

• Incorporating net neutrality principles into state procurement;

• Reconstituting the state’s Innovation Network and directing it to focus on AI and Quantum Computing;  

• Supporting the creation of ten new Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (read about P-TECHs here); 

• Creating a Center for Computer Science Education at SUNY/CUNY;

• Launching a data analytics initiative to map statewide workforce needs. 

If you would like to learn more about the proposed state budget or would like to work on any of these issues, email Tech:NYC's Policy Director Zach Hecht.