Participate in the Legislative Hearings on the New York State Budget Proposal

Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger and Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein have announced the schedule for the joint legislative hearings on the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Executive Budget Proposal.

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The purpose of these hearings is to allow public input and provide the appropriate legislative committees with a comprehensive understanding of the Executive Budget Proposal. The hearings will be available for viewing on the Senate and Assembly websites, and can also be watched on the Legislative Channel on cable systems across the state.

The hearings will start on January 23 and continue until February 14. Each day will focus on a specific programmatic area of the budget, with state agency or department heads testifying first, followed by witnesses who have requested to testify on that particular area.

Due to time constraints imposed by the New York State Constitution, which requires the state budget to be approved by April 1, only a limited number of witnesses can be accommodated at each hearing. The committees will make every effort to include as many interested parties as possible, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives is presented. Redundant testimony will be minimized whenever possible.

Anyone interested in testifying must fill out a Hearing Request Form on the dates outlined in the chart provided (see below). The form can be found on the Senate and Assembly websites at www.nysenate.gov and www.nyassembly.gov respectively.

To ensure adequate opportunity for all stakeholders to be heard, individuals or entities may only testify at one hearing. However, written testimony can be submitted for any hearing. Individuals not testifying must submit their written testimony no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the corresponding hearing to financechair@nysenate.gov and to wamchair@nyassembly.gov.

For those who have been approved to testify, a copy of their written testimony must be emailed to both financechair@nysenate.gov and wamchair@nyassembly.gov by the specified due dates in the chart below. No modifications to the submitted testimony will be accepted. It is crucial to indicate in the subject field of the email to which hearing the testimony is related.

Witnesses are encouraged to summarize their key points during their oral testimony, rather than reading directly from their written testimony. Oral testimony should not exceed three minutes, after which witnesses should be prepared to address questions from legislators.

The hearings, which are in accordance with the Constitution and the Legislative Law, provide an avenue for the agencies and departments to present their budget proposals. Additionally, the State Legislature is soliciting public comment on the proposed budget as mandated by Article 2, Section 32-a of the Legislative Law.

For further information and updates, please visit the Senate and Assembly websites. Additionally, be sure to check out the entire schedule for the joint legislative hearings.