Assembly's Proposed SFY 2025-26 Budget Invests $1 Billion in Programs to Help New York's Children

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly’s proposed State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-26 Budget will invest $1 billion into programs that will provide new opportunities and programs for children across the state.

“Our children are our future and it is our duty to ensure they have the tools and resources to grow into the citizens of tomorrow,” said Speaker Heastie. “Since I became Speaker, I’ve worked to grow New York into a state built for our hardworking families and this investment into children is a critical step in that direction.”

Expanding Childcare and Afterschool Programs

The Assembly proposes $2 billion for childcare subsidies to create and preserve childcare slots, an increase of $212.5 million over the executive.

Additionally, the budget proposes $100 million in funding for afterschool programming, securing an additional 40,000 slots for New York’s hardworking families. The proposed budget also includes $5 million for afterschool providers serving a majority of children that are considered high needs.

“Any parent deeply understands the difficulties in finding a place for your child to go while you’re at work,” said Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, “Through this critical investment, New York is standing by our families and ensuring no hardworking family has to struggle to ensure their child is somewhere safe outside of school hours.” 

New York Works Child Tax Credit

The Assembly proposes replacing the Child Tax Credit with the New York Works Child Tax Credit. This would consolidate the existing Empire State Child Tax Credit, the Earned-Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the dependent exemption into one combined credit for taxpayers. The credit would vary based on income, with a maximum credit of $550 in the first year of the program and up to $1,600 the year the program is fully implemented.

“This consolidation of the credits provided to New York’s families will ensure we’re targeting our focus on making their everyday lives easier,” said Ways and Means Committee Chair J. Gary Pretlow. “This credit will provide our families the opportunity to spend additional money on the things their families need most.” 

Increasing Support for Prenatal and Infant Resiliency

The Assembly’s proposed budget includes $200 million to create the Increasing Nutrition Support for Prenatal and Infant Resiliency (INSPIRE) pilot program. This program would provide a $400 monthly allowance to mothers and infants eligible or receiving public assistance for the last three months of pregnancy through the first twelve months of a child’s life.

“This investment in our babies and children will pay dividends back to our communities,” said Social Services Committee Chair Maritza Davila. “By providing this funding for mothers and their families, we’re providing our communities the opportunity to provide for their families at a critical time in their lives.”

Investing in Children’s Education

The Assembly’s proposal also provides critical funding to prekindergarten programs to ensure all children are provided the resources needed to thrive with an additional $327 million for prekindergarten, $302 million to increase the minimum per pupil funding and $25 million for the Statewide Universal Full Day Prekindergarten (SUFDPK) grant.

The Assembly also proposes modifying the Farm-to-School Program, that connects local farms with schools across the state. Under the Assembly’s proposal, the program will expand to include breakfast and snacks provided by schools.

“These investments in our education will ensure children have the necessary skills to succeed in school and provides all children fresh and healthy options at lunch,” said Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto. “As a former educator I understand the critical investments we must make in our children to ensure they succeed in the future, and this budget proposal does just that.”

Diverting Youth from the Criminal Justice System

The proposal allows New York City to participate in Raise the Age programming by removing the requirement that localities adhere to 2 percent tax cap or be fiscally distressed. The Assembly also proposes a total of $350 million for Raise the Age programming, $100 million over the executive.

The proposal would also require immediate assessment by probation services upon arrest of a youth and require intensive supervision and support services be offered during the first several weeks following a youth’s arrest.

“By requiring supervision and support services be offered to our youth offenders within the first weeks of their arrest, we’re ensuring that our justice system is fostering an opportunity for rehabilitation,” said Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz. “This proposal will be vital to our justice system, providing them the tools needed to work with youth offenders.”

Supporting At-Risk Youth in Local Communities

The Assembly also proposes $50 million in funding and $30 million in capital for the Communities Helping Improve Lives Daily (CHILD) program for at-risk youth in high needs communities.

“If we provide resources to our local communities to work with at-risk youth before they interact with the criminal justice system, we’re taking significant steps to improve our communities,” said Government Operations Committee Chair John T. McDonald III. “This investment will provide the resources our communities need to ensure every child has the tools and support they need to thrive.”

Providing Youth Summer Employment Opportunities

The Assembly proposes $100 million to establish the Learning Empowering and Developing (LEAD) Summer youth program. The program will supplement the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) to provide employment and career exploration opportunities for youth living 400 percent below the federal poverty level (FPL).