Governor Kathy Hochul's 2026 fiscal year executive budget is projected at $252 billion dollars, a 3.6% increase from last year.

The funds will support several key areas that affect New Yorkers.

Hochul said one of the main focal points this year is helping New York residents save money.

"Many families do continue to struggle. Nationwide, inflation, the rising costs at the grocery store every month working New Yorkers having to face such difficult, difficult choices and how to stretch all their dollars. That's why this budget is laser-focused on putting money back in New Yorkers pockets," said Hochul.

This includes a $1 billion investment in tax cuts for middle-class workers in five of the state's nine tax brackets, $825 million dollars to expand child tax credits over two years, and $3 billion dollars to inflation refund checks, which will be given out in sums of $300 or $500 dollars to 8.6 million New Yorkers.

Hochul also emphasized a need for housing solutions, with over $2.2 billion to several initiatives helping first-time home buyers, low-income and affordable housing, and an additional $110 million to help pro-housing communities like Binghamton.

Hochul said, "I've said before, the costs of housing and rent will never come down if we don't increase the supply. I'll say it a thousand times. We have to build, build, build and build some more."

Other major points include investments in public safety and improvements in the criminal justice system, totaling around 833 million. This will fund gun violence prevention programs, protection of sites at risk of hate crimes, and funds to law enforcement and emergency service agencies.

Over $11 billion to road infrastructure projects and transit systems, over $36 billion to hospital facilities and workforce development in healthcare, and over $40 billion will be invested into aid for schooling systems and improvements to education centers and facilities.

She also announced the largest climate investment in New York's history, with over $1.7 billion dollars going to clean energy initiatives.

"Our largest climate investment ever, to accelerate New York's clean energy transition. These funds will support critical projects in clean energy generation, create good-paying jobs, and reduce energy costs for New York families," said Hochul.

The governor expressed hope that these investments will continue to help New York on the right path.