Following is a statement by Dennis Poust, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, on Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal:

“While we strongly object to Governor Hochul’s insistence on providing tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to ensure New York State becomes an abortion destination for the rest of the country, there are, nevertheless, numerous other praiseworthy items in her Executive Budget proposal.

“The Governor’s multi-pronged investment in affordable childcare, with a stated goal toward universal childcare across the state, is a worthwhile and laudable goal. While no outside childcare can ever substitute for the care that is provided by parents and grandparents, the Governor is addressing an urgent need. New Yorkers should not have to choose between having children and being able to afford to live in dignity, and too often, childcare is an obstacle to overcome.

“We are also grateful for the Governor’s proposal to increase the permissible period of time for which adoptive parents may reimburse a birth mother for housing, maternity clothing, baby clothing, and transportation expenses. By breaking down barriers to adoption, she provides an incentive for women in crisis pregnancies to choose life for their babies through the gift of adoption.

“Regarding education, we are grateful for the Governor’s proposal to increase the Non-Public Safety Equipment program for religious and independent schools by $20 million, for a new total of $90 million. We are also grateful for the $10 million increase in Mandated Services Aid for nonpublic schools, though more is still needed to meet prior years’ deficiencies and we urge the legislature to increase the amount. We also urge the legislature to add $12 million to cover the expenses related to nonpublic schools’ compliance with the state’s immunization mandate for school-aged children, which currently amounts to a costly unfunded mandate for our schools.

“With immigration at the forefront of the national conversation, we are grateful for Governor Hochul’s appropriation of nearly $74 million to the Office for New Americans, though additional funding is needed. Furthermore, we applaud her proposal to amend the Civil Rights Law to protect sensitive immigration locations from immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. This includes houses of worship, schools, hospitals, and day care centers.

“Not in the Executive Budget but nevertheless an urgent priority for New Yorkers struggling with affordability, is the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, which allows taxpayers to get a credit of up to $1,700 for donations to organizations that help families with the cost of a broad range of educational expenses for their children. This innovative program can keep billions of dollars in our state, helping families of children in public, religious, and independent schools, which otherwise would be sent to out-of-state organizations or to the federal government to fund the President’s and Congress’ policy priorities. States’ governors must opt in to the tax credit program. This is a no-brainer, and we hope Governor Hochul will do so soon for the sake of all her constituents.”

The New York State Catholic Conference represents the bishops of the state in working with government to shape laws and policies that pursue social justice, respect for life, and the common good.