Republicans react to tentative state budget housing agreement

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--Governor Hochul said there’s a tentative budget deal. She unveiled some of the details of the spending plan Monday night. On Tuesday, Republicans reacted to that agreement— weighing in on the issue of housing.

"There’s nothing in this proposal that will provide a single unit of affordable housing in the short term,' said Republican Senator, Jack Martins.

He said the tax incentives Democrats have agreed upon to spur housing projects only focus on the future.

"By the time all these incentives kick in, developers build whether it’s in New York City or elsewhere, it will be 5,10 years down the line."

The governor on Monday announced a tax incentive for builders to create affordable housing in New York City, as well as a statewide incentive for multi-family housing construction.

Republicans reject the tentative agreement— saying the budget should do more to help first time homebuyers and protect homeowners from squatters.

"We will still have support in the budget, like we did last year, for first time buyers. I think that’s something consistently that Democrats in the legislature supported and the governor agreed with and that will continue."

According to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, the housing issue still isn’t closed, but it’s getting closer to being done.

"I think it’s just clarifying language on different items, say somethings on tenant protects it’s just making sure that the intent of what you’re hoping to do gets carried out."