$229 Billion Budget Passed in Albany, Natural Gas Ban Becomes Law

YS Gold 

The 2023-2024 budget has passed the New York State Assembly—after months of negotiations that delayed the vote. Among the billions allocated for climate change initiatives is the much-talked-about law mandating electric-only buildings for seven-story homes and below. No fossil fuels would be installed in new homes; a move cheered by climate change activists who pushed hard for its inclusion. 

NYS Senate Minority Leader Robert G. Ortt, a Republican representing Niagara County in Northern New York, spoke following the budget's passage and addressed some of the more controversial provisions therein. 

“The State budget crafted by Albany Democrats ignores the priorities of New York residents. The least transparent budget in recent memory failed to address the affordability crisis, does nothing to improve public safety, and imposes more big-government mandates that threaten our economy,” he said. 

Addressing the gas ban on new homes and the changes to cashless bail, he said, “A first-in-the-nation, unconstitutional ban on natural gas hookups in new construction will drive up utility bills and increase housing costs. The language changes to cashless bail laws are less than meaningless and will do nothing to curtail rising crime.” 

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