Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced last week that the 2003-04 Legislative Budget will restore the Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The budget rejects a proposal in the Executive Budget that called for the state to keep $13 a month that should go to low income senior citizens and the disabled.

"Thirteen dollars a month makes a big difference to many people, especially low income individuals, the elderly and disabled who are on fixed incomes," said Fuschillo. "In these tough times, I am pleased that we were able to afford these provisions to some of our less fortunate residents."

According to Fuschillo, the Executive Budget proposed that the state keep $13 per month or $156 per year that would have been passed along to SSI recipients, in order to offset state costs for administrating the program. The Legislature is restoring these funds, ensuring the recipients will receive their entire federal monthly benefits. The restorations total $25.7 million in 2003-04.

SSI recipients include low-income people who are 65 or older, or blind, or have a disability. Children as well as adults are able to receive benefits due to blindness or disability including, mental or physical conditions which persist more than one year.

Senator Fuschillo announced that the New York State Senate has passed the $4.6 billion Public Protection and General Government bill as part of the 2003-2004 State Budget. According to Fuschillo, the legislation includes important new funding for enhanced wireless 911 services, additional funds to increase the number of State Troopers, revenue sharing funds for county governments to help keep county property taxes under control and funding for the Senate's "Road to Recovery" drug rehabilitation initiative.

"In the wake of September 11, first responders and the public protection system in New York State was forced to prepare for and respond to new and different threats," Fuschillo said. "This budget addresses important public safety programs such as E-911 and adding more troopers for public safety and protection, and includes spending reductions for many state agencies."

According to Fuschillo, the budget includes $100 million for the expedited deployment of enhanced wireless 911 services. This program enables local governments to improve technologies to meet federal requirements to pinpoint the exact location of someone calling 911 from a cell phone. This funding will enable local governments to comply with federal regulations at a much earlier date and could save lives.

In addition, this budget bill restores $200,000 for the "Road to Recovery" program, a Senate initiative that provides for increased drug and alcohol rehabilitation services as an alternative to incarceration.

The budget also includes an increase of $491 million for the State Police to increase the number of troopers and includes $17 million in revenue sharing for counties that can be used to offset costs of local programs and help keep property taxes under control.

In the Public Protection and General Government bill the Legislature:

- Rejects the executives proposal to shift the Office of Professions, currently part of the State Education Department, to the Department of State's Business and Licensing Program.

- Rejects the governor's proposal to eliminate the State Liquor Authority and restores $240,000 to continue the State Liquor Authority's operations.

- Agrees with the governor's proposal to create the Office of Public Security and approves the request of $12 million.

Senator Fuschillo announced that the New York State Senate has restored funding to state transportation, environment, and economic development programs in the 2003-2004 state budget that has been cut in the governor's proposal.

"This budget bill makes reasonable and prudent investments and restorations that will improve the quality of our environment, strength of our transportation systems and important economic development programs," Fuschillo said. "The Senate and the Assembly have been working together to restore this funding to these invaluable programs."

According to Fuschillo, the budget bill fully restores funding for the five-year highway and bridge plan, including $100 million in highway and bridge letting level funds and $37 million in associated engineering costs to continue, for a $1.75 billion total. The Legislature also provides an additional $34.9 million, $276.6 million total, for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS).

The budget also includes $9 million for the Industrial Access Program for necessary highway and bridge improvements that facilitate economic development and result in job creation or retention. In addition, the budget appropriates $125 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), including $16.9 million for the Solid Waste Category, $45.5 million for the Parks and Recreation Category and $62.6 million for the Open Space Category.

"I am pleased that the integrity of the Environmental Protection Fund has been maintained and fully funded," Fuschillo said. "This commitment ensures that we will be in good position to safeguard and maintain our state's environment for all New York residents."

The budget also creates a new Waste Tire abatement program that will be funded at $5.6 million in SFY 2003-04 and $11.2 million when fully annualized.