Cheering the spoils of the $237 billion state budget deal, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams presented a unified front Friday against the scourge of illegal cannabis stores.
“My friends, the insanity stops right now. Why? Because I kept my promises,” said Hochul during a press conference at her Manhattan office.
What You Need To Know
- Once Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the state budget bills, New York City will get the power to shut down shops peddling illegal products almost immediately. Right now, it could take months before a state judge gives the greenlight to shut down shops
- Combined state and city dollars will fund universal pre-k and special education seats for at least the next year, according to Mayor Eric Adams. Those programs were threatened by the expiration of federal pandemic dollars
- It’s only a partial restoration for now. The funding was threatened earlier this year after Adams complained about the financial stress caused by the migrant crisis
Between delays in the state’s licensing system, limited enforcement abilities and a vibrant illegal market, rolling out the legal weed industry has been no easy task for Hochul.
“The illicit operations who flout the rules because they know at most they’ll be slapped with a fine that they have also figured out will take months and months to collect, if ever,” said the governor.
Once she signs the state budget bills, New York City will get the power to shut down shops peddling illegal products almost immediately.
Right now, it could take months before a state judge gives the greenlight to shut down shops.
Adams cheered a provision that says if a store is selling illegal products, the state could yank its licenses to sell alcohol, vapes or tobacco.
“The governor has really stood up and fought for the city. At the beginning of the session and the budget process, she made that commitment,” said Adams.
Later, Adams revealed he’ll restore some of the intended cuts to the city’s education budget.
“We are now able to protect more than $514 million worth of Department of Education programs,” said Adams from P.S. 034 Franklin D. Roosevelt on the Lower East Side.
Combined state and city dollars will fund universal pre-k and special education seats for at least the next year, according to Adams. Those programs were threatened by the expiration of federal pandemic dollars.
Literacy, dyslexia and career training programs will also benefit from the money.
However, it’s only a partial restoration for now. The funding was threatened earlier this year after Adams complained about the financial stress caused by the migrant crisis.
But a stronger than expected, economy and additional state dollars came to the rescue.
“The council has acknowledged that there’s more than enough money to restore all the cuts that we say and then some, and that’s what we’re going to be looking for: from everything, from 3-K to CUNY, to libraries, to culturals,” said Democratic City Councilman Justin Brannan, who chairs the powerful Finance Committee.
Some parents have questions. Like Rebecca Perkins, whose daughter is a fifth grade public school student and has dyslexia.
“We can’t keep blaming the pandemic. We can’t keep saying these kids are behind because of the pandemic,” she told NY1 after Adams finished speaking. “We can’t keep saying that. And all this money sounds good, but are we really gonna use it to [help] the kids?”
Meanwhile, state lawmakers voted to approve several bills that make up the state budget. They are expected to vote on the remaining legislation throughout the weekend.