By Hinman Straub
Both houses have released their legislative budget proposals, and started the process of negotiating a final state spending package with the Governor.
In both proposals, the houses propose much greater investments in agriculture.
In the Senate, they propose including $5 million in operating and another $5 million in capital for Cornell (new money).
The Senate also makes the following restorations and increases:
· $2.1 million add for the Farm Viability Institute.
· $662,000 add for Cornell Pro-Dairy.
· $275,000 for Cornell Pro-Livestock.
· $1.3 million for the Beginning Farmers Grant Program.
· $1.3 million for the Socially/Economically Disadvantaged Farmers Grant Program.
· $31,250 add for the Cornell Ruminant Center.
· $25,000 add for the FarmNet Program.
The Assembly took a slightly different approach providing the following:
· $10 million for the New York State Statutory Colleges at Cornell University.
· $5 million for Cornell AgriTech.
· $1.1 in new funding for Pro-Dairy.
· $125,000 in additional funds for the Cornell Ruminant Center.
· $250,000 restoration for Pro-Livestock.
The State fiscal year ends March 31st. The Legislature is currently slated to start a two=week recess on April 2, for observance of Easter and Passover; and it is unclear how that schedule will be effected if the parties fail to come to an agreement by the deadline.