CPC Statement on the NYS FY 25-26 Enacted Budget | Chinese-American Planning Council
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CPC Statement on the NYS FY 25-26 Enacted Budget

May
12

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Date: May 12th, 2025

Contact:

Alice Du, Director of Communications (adu@cpc-nyc.org) | 212-792-4585

CPC Statement on the NYS FY 25-26 Enacted Budget

New York, NY — The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) recognizes the passage of New York State’s FY26 $254.3 billion budget, which includes critical investments in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), immigrant, and low-income communities. While we are encouraged by these steps, the budget could have better addressed the urgent and long-term needs of our most marginalized communities, particularly amid a rising cost of living, a severe housing crisis, and a growing shortage in the home care workforce. 

“We commend the Governor’s Office and State Legislature for the restoration of $30 million to the AAPI Equity Budget, the inclusion of an expanded Child Tax Credit, and the $4 million for the Settlement House Program. These are hard-fought wins for our communities,” said Wayne Ho, President and CEO of CPC. “However, New York missed a critical opportunity to lead with bold, transformative investments in the social safety net and to finally deliver fair wages for human services and home care workers who keep our communities running.”

CPC remains steadfast in our commitment to securing equitable, community-driven investments. Over the past year, CPC staff, community members, and our Advocacy Leadership Fellows, made up of frontline program staff from across departments and boroughs, have led robust and powerful advocacy efforts. In January, over 400 staff and community members joined us in Albany to advocate for our budget priorities to legislators, including fully restoring the AAPI Equity Budget, approving a 7.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all human service workers, and allocating $500 million for the Unemployment Bridge Program.

We are grateful to our legislative champions for standing up for AAPI, immigrant, and low-income communities and helping ensure CPC can continue delivering critical services. We celebrate the wins we helped achieve and remain committed to the ongoing work required to ensure all New Yorkers can live with dignity and opportunity.

Wins:

  • As part of the Equity Budget Coalition, we are grateful to see the $30 million restoration for AAPI community-based organizations, supporting linguistically and culturally responsive services.
  • Restoration of the $4 million for the Settlement House Program.
  • A $2.5 million increase to LEAPS after school programs which can go to new contracts, plus a minimum wage increase for existing contracts. 
  • A $1 million restoration for NORC supplemental nursing funds.
  • $400 million for the Child Care Assistance Program, with $350 million of it dedicated to NYC child care vouchers with a local match requirement.
  • Restorations to HPNAP, Nourish NY, and NOEP food programs.
  • Expansion of the Child Tax Credit by giving eligible families a $1,000 credit for kids younger than 4 years old and a $500 credit for kids ages 4-16, effectively doubling the credit for the average family.

Shortcomings:

  • A 2.6% targeted COLA for human services workers, falling short of the 7.8% investment needed and no expansion to all human services categories.
  • No inclusion of the Access to Representation Act or the BUILD Act which would empower immigrant communities with the right to counsel and immigration legal services. 
  • Funding levels were maintained at $2.3 million to support language access to vital government services, when needs have dramatically increased. 
  • $50 million for a new Housing Access Voucher Pilot Program is essential but addressing the housing and affordability crisis requires increased and permanent funding. 
  • There was a lack of measures to address the challenges that the child care workforce faces in this budget. 
  • The Working Families Tax Credit was not enacted, which would have provided families with $1,600 per child.
  • Open-ended Preventive/Protective Services reimbursement was maintained at 62% for counties, falling short of 65%. 

We look forward to continuing our advocacy alongside coalitional, governmental partners, and elected officials to build a more just and equitable New York for all.