Democrats Tout State Budget as Win for Rochester; Republicans Decry Overspending and Misplaced Priorities
- Shay Jackson
- 18 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Democratic lawmakers representing the Greater Rochester area are praising the newly enacted New York State Fiscal Year 2025–2026 budget as a major investment in affordability, infrastructure, and support for working families. At a press conference Monday, Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-138) was joined by fellow Democratic lawmakers, Mayor Malik Evans, and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello to spotlight allocations they say will strengthen Rochester and Monroe County. Chief among them is $59.6 million for renovations to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center — a project Democrats say will create good-paying, union jobs and modernize the aging facility.
“This year’s New York State budget is an investment in a more affordable, equitable New York,” Bronson said, adding that the budget prioritizes the middle class and workforce development.
The press event, hosted by the all-Democratic Greater Rochester Majority State Delegation, emphasized a series of wins they say will directly benefit local residents. These include:
A 2% boost in Foundation Aid for public schools
$15 million for Monroe County’s Transformational Community Care Coordination Project (TC3)
$6.9 million in road funding through the CHIPS program
$3 million to support low-wage worker advancement
More than $58 million in new education funding for Rochester City Schools
Funding for child care assistance, job training, food security, and housing vouchers
Democrats also highlighted statewide initiatives such as a middle-class tax cut, child tax credits, universal school meals, and the elimination of the state’s $6.3 billion Unemployment Trust Fund debt.
“While our community faces funding cuts and uncertainty from the federal administration, New York State crafted a budget that delivers affordability and relief to our residents,” said Assemblymember Jen Lunsford (D-135).
Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-56) echoed the sentiment, calling the budget a major success: “There is plenty to celebrate that will make an immediate impact on the quality of life in our communities.”
Mayor Malik Evans said the collaborative efforts between Democratic state and local leaders are helping “propel the momentum that is moving Rochester forward.”
However, Republican lawmakers have criticized the $254 billion budget, labeling it as excessive and misaligned with the needs of upstate communities. Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay called the budget “another reckless escalation of spending” that fails to stabilize the state’s economy or reduce the burden on working families. He also criticized the process, stating that it continued Albany’s pattern of closed-door dysfunction and lack of transparency.
Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan of Manchester accused the state’s Democratic leadership of turning its back on rural communities and local emergency services. He condemned the budget for failing to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for rural ambulance services and volunteer squads, describing them as “on the brink of collapse.” Gallahan also criticized the uneven distribution of school aid and the allocation of $3 billion to the MTA, calling it a “new commuter tax with zero benefit for the Finger Lakes or Upstate.”
Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt stated that the budget includes misguided spending priorities that will make New York even less affordable for years to come. He expressed concern over the lack of significant investment in upstate roads and bridges and the allocation of $2.4 billion in taxpayer money to address the migrant crisis, which he believes stems from sanctuary city policies.
Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R-Lake George) criticized the budget for its record-setting spending that fails to acknowledge the state’s fundamental spending problem and affordability crisis. He emphasized that revenue and spending are up, but these increases do not commensurate with what residents are receiving in return.
Despite the criticisms, Democratic lawmakers maintain that the budget reflects long-fought priorities, including expanded child care subsidies, senior services, and support for working parents. Assemblymember Sarah Clark (D-136) noted that the budget continues their fight so that all New York families can thrive.
Assemblymember Demond Meeks (D-137) described the budget as a “lifeline for working families,” highlighting funding to fight homelessness and food insecurity.
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