Last night, the New York legislature officially passed the 2018 budget. I am proud of this budget because it puts middle class families first. It also upholds the values that make New York a national progressive leader with policies that raise the age of criminal responsibility and provide tuition-free college to middle class New Yorkers.
With Washington in turmoil, it’s more important than ever that New York leads by example. This spending plan is proof that, even with a divided government, when you put people ahead of politics, the results are transformative.
This budget continues my record of fiscal responsibility, holding spending growth at 2 percent for the 7th consecutive year while reducing taxes, making historic investments in education, creating good-paying jobs and rebuilding New York’s infrastructure.
We also raised the age of criminal responsibility in our state so that 16 and 17 year olds will no longer be prosecuted as adults. Young people who commit non-violent crimes will now receive the intervention and evidenced based treatment they need -- something every New Yorker can be proud of.
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