Skoufis looks back at last six months in Albany
With the legislative session over for the year, Sen. James Skoufis has been visiting organizations to report on what was accomplished. I got a personal update during a visit to his office in Newburgh. He’s on the second floor of what once was a bank.
“It was an enormously productive year,” he told me.
Among the legislature’s accomplishments was a program to help homeowners with their property tax.
Knowing that these taxes are paid to municipalities, I wondered how that could be possible.
The senator knew what I was thinking and offered an explanation. He said that if a family’s property tax amounts to more than 6 percent of their income, they can get a credit when they file their income tax. The new law applies to families that earn less than $250,000 a year.
The state upped its education aid this year and provided grants to small businesses. Once again I was puzzled. “Where is the money coming from?” I wanted to know.
Part of the answer is “millionaires.” The tax rate for people earning more than $2 million a year has increased by 0.8 percent.
Mr. Skoufis is now 33 years old. He’s been in Albany for nine years and is no longer the youngest member of the upper house. (He’s the second youngest.) This spring he spearheaded a campaign to fund universal pre-kindergarten education.
Cornwall, for example, received funds to pay for 60 pre-K slots. The district could (1) accommodate these students in-house. Or (2) it could pay for the youngsters to attend a school run by a private provider. Or (3) it could decline the opportunity and return the money to the state. The senator emphasized that this is not a one-time opportunity. The goal is to expand the program in the future.
There has also been an increase in highway and roadwork funding. “There will be a real refreshed look,” the senator predicted. “The next big push is 218 in Highland Falls. It’s among my top priorities. I’ll be pushing for it in the spring next year. It’s important we have a Main Street that we’re proud of.”
Since moving into the Senate, Mr. Skoufis has been in charge of an investigations committee. This spring the committee studied nursing homes and recommended changes. It established a ratio of staff members to patients, and required a set number of inspections.
The group will also review a whistleblower claim that the new Tappan Zee Bridge was built with inferior parts. It’s a charge that’s denied by The Thruway Authority.
One other investigation will focus on studies. Every year, the legislature authorizes several studies but seldom hears about their results. The Skoufis Committee will make sure these inquiries are being conducted.
With just the two of us in his upstairs office, the Cornwall resident disclosed that he had the most bills passed in the Senate, and he was rated the most independent of the Senate’s 43 Democrats. He also bragged about the newest member of his family. Ava is three-and-a-half months old. “We’re just overjoyed,” her father said. “She’s a lot of work, but she’s so worth it. She’s laughing and smiling. She’s been a real joy.”
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Cornwall’s Foundation Aid increased by $1,997,700 this school year, and the district also received $332,580 for Pre-K expansion. Their total school aid for the 2021-2022 year was $23,420,946.
HFFM’s Foundation Aid increased by $1,145,494 this school year, and the district also received $170,940 for Pre-K expansion. Their total school aid for the 2021-2022 year was $11,771,272.
