The New York State Assembly this morning approved the budget bill containing $600 million in state funding for the new Buffalo Bills Stadium in Orchard Park. The bill has already passed in the Senate, meaning only Governor Kathy Hochul's signature is needed to make it a done deal.
The particular part of the budget passed on a 95-49 vote after a determined defense of the funding by Buffalo Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes. Stokes says the construction jobs will allow people to grow their families and send kids to college. Democrats say the stadium project will generate 10,000 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs. Much of the opposition came from downstate legislators who noted state highway funding and other programs were being cut or held flat.
The Assembly met through the night as it worked to pass the necessary bills to enact the state budget. Meanwhile, the minority Republicans are condemning the closed door process between top Democrats which led to agreement on the $220 billion spending plan. State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt calls it one of the most secretive in state history.