A Budget That Delivers For Monroe County
As Chair of the New York State Senate Transportation Committee, I see firsthand how strategic investments in our infrastructure will create opportunity for communities, like Rochester. With the state budget process underway, I’m proud to partner with Governor Kathy Hochul in advancing a budget that supports Upstate families by improving safety, affordability, and the systems we rely on every day.
One of the highlights of the Governor’s Executive Budget is her bold investment in transportation. In addition to supporting local roads, bridges, and transit systems, the proposal adds $800 million to the NYS Department of Transportation’s Capital Plan. This is a major win for Upstate communities, ensuring the DOT can deliver on the largest multi-year State Transportation Plan in New York’s history—and meet the long-overdue needs of regions like Rochester and Monroe County. It’s a direct investment in our economy, our workforce, and our quality of life.
The Governor’s Budget doesn’t just focus on roads—it’s also a roadmap for safer, stronger communities. With an unprecedented $39 million investment in initiatives dedicated to gun violence prevention, upgrades to law enforcement technology, and support for local community groups, we’re seeing results in Rochester: shootings and crime are declining. The Governor is also proposing improvements to the state’s discovery laws, ensuring victims’ rights are protected and that we stop dismissing cases on frivolous technicalities—while still upholding the right to a fair and speedy trial.
Affordability is another top concern I hear from constituents every day, and the Governor’s Affordability Agenda tackles this issue head-on. This budget will hopefully result in universal free school meals, a historic expansion of the Child Tax Credit, and the largest middle-class tax cut in 70 years. That’s relief families can feel.
As a proud graduate of the Rochester City School District—the first state senator to hold that distinction in decades—I was honored to help secure the final phase of the Rochester School Modernization Project, one of the largest public works projects in our city’s history, with nearly half a billion dollars going towards updating learning environments for RSCD students. But upgrading school buildings is just part of the equation. We also need to ensure students are able to focus and thrive inside those classrooms. That’s why I strongly support the Governor’s proposal to restrict smartphone use in K-12 schools from bell-to-bell. It’s a common-sense step to help improve mental health, reduce distractions, and strengthen learning environments for all.
We have a responsibility to fight for a budget that reflects the values and needs of the communities we serve. Governor Hochul’s proposal rises to that challenge—with targeted, meaningful investments that strengthen our infrastructure, keep our neighborhoods safe, and lift up families across Upstate. I look forward to working with her and my legislative colleagues to deliver a final budget that meets the moment.
Jeremy Cooney represents the 56th District in the New York State Senate.
Comments