New York Construction Report staff writer
New York State’s FY 2024 budget includes requirements for advancing zero emission construction in new buildings and requires the NYPA to complete decarbonization action plans for 15 of the highest-emitting state facilities.
“These bold investments will lift up New Yorkers of today — and tomorrow — while maintaining a solid fiscal footing, and I thank my partners in the Legislature for their collaboration throughout this process,” Governor Kathy Hochul said.
State investments will also expand programs and services to further drive down gun violence, reduce recidivism, address the flow of deadly fentanyl, and improve the efficacy of the court system, which was disrupted by the pandemic.
To address the unmet mental health needs of New Yorkers, Governor Hochul will make a long-term $1 billion investment to transform New York’s continuum of mental health care. This comprehensive, multi-year plan including:
- $890 million in capital to develop new residential units, plus $120 million in annual operating costs.
- $25 million in capital and $7.3 million annually to increase operational capacity for inpatient psychiatric treatment.
- $60 million in capital and $121.6 million annually to expand outpatient services.
- $28 million annually to improve post-discharge connections to services through the creation of 50 new Critical Time Intervention care coordination teams.
- $30 million annually to expand mental health services in schools.
Over the past year, Gov. Hochul has supported the completion of the Long Island Rail Road’s Third Track project, open the nation’s newest rail terminal at Grand Central Madison, broke ground on the Metro-North Penn Station Access project, and pushed other major projects forward, including the Second Avenue Subway and the Interborough Express.
The new budget includes funding to expand public transit access and affordability while improving public safety with:
- $9.4 billion in mass transit operating support, including $829 million in operating support for non-MTA authorities.
- $1.3 billion for a commuter-first Penn Station, the Western Hemisphere’s busiest transit hub.
- $20 million for bus electrification for non-MTA authorities, and $20 million to rehabilitate NFTA’s light rail system.
In addition to forthcoming investments from the historic Environmental Bond Act passed by voters in 2022, the Enacted Budget includes:
- $500 million in clean water infrastructure funding, bringing New York’s total clean water infrastructure investment to $5 billion since 2017.
- $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund.
- Authorizing Suffolk County to put a ballot referendum to the voters to implement a long-term plan to create a recurring funding source for wastewater infrastructure needs.
- $200 million for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to invest in enhancing state parks.
