Times Union
Shaniece Holmes-Brown
Jan. 23, 2022
Caucus’s “People’s Budget” reflects concerns about pandemic impact, needs of communities of color
ALBANY – The Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, Asian Legislative Caucus is backing proposed legislation that calls for hiring mental health professionals in every school district in New York. Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced her Fiscal Year 2023 Executive Budget totaling $216 billion. The caucus incorporated the need for hiring mental health professionals in every school building into its own People’s Budget. Solages hopes
“Every year, we come out with a document entitled the People’s Budget — and this year we’re advancing the people’s prosperity because the pandemic has impacted our community disproportionately,” said Michaelle Solages, a fifth-term legislator in the midst of her second year chairing the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, Asian Legislative caucus. Solages is also the first person of Haitian descent to be elected to the state Legislature. According to the 2022 People’s Budget, the bill “will ensure that all elementary, intermediate, middle, junior, and senior high schools throughout New York State have a full-time licensed social worker and a full-time licensed psychologist on staff to meet the needs of their students.”
