2025 executive budget proposes historic spending

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) — Governor Kathy Hochul proposed a $252 billion executive budget, effectively kicking off the budget season at the State Capitol. The executive budget is the governor's chance to propose how she would fund her legislative priorities.

This week on Empire State Weekly, Patrick Orecki, the Director of State Studies at the Citizens Budget Commission, explained the key items of the proposed budget. He stated that many items in the historically large budget are popular with voters, but he questioned the sustainability of that high spending.

"New York and New Yorkers choose to fund the schools at a very high level. We choose to have a very big eligibility program in Medicaid. The question is whether that's sustainable over time," Orecki said. "And I think New York should also put a much greater emphasis on saying 'We're hitting high scores in spending.' 100%, we outspend everybody in just about every major part of the budget. But are we getting the results that that type of investment should be yielding? And in a lot of cases, it's no. But it's very difficult to change."

Also this week, Randy Simons, Commissioner for the State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, explained a new initiative aimed at encouraging school children to disconnect from devices. The measure, "Unplug and Play," was outlined by the governor in the State of the State address. It prioritizes opportunities for fun and community-building activities in outdoor environments to better the mental health of community members.

"In a digital world, we're more connected than ever. Yet, we are more disconnected than ever," said Simons. "Community centers are places for community engagement. Under the governor's program, she's saying let's get out there let's connect and reconnect with each other."

To see these interviews and more, here is a list of how you can watch Empire State Weekly in your area of New York: