Assemblywoman Amy Pollan visits Bronxville to warn of budget pressure, flag health priorities

Assemblywoman Amy Pollan, a member of the New York State Assembly who represents the 88th District, told the Village of Bronxville Board of Trustees on Nov. 10 that the state faces a difficult budget season as lawmakers return to Albany in January.

"That budget we expect to be, very difficult this year, because we anticipate, healthcare cuts at the at the federal level, which will greatly impact the state budget," Pollan said, noting that health and education together make up a large share of state spending.

Pollan described the legislative calendar — drafting bills now, introducing a governor's budget in the third week of January, then negotiating through the spring — and said her committee work will focus on preserving access to vaccines and other health services if federal rules change. She said the administration has used executive orders to allow pharmacists to act as prescribers and that the health committee will consider whether to make such authorities statutory or adopt narrower steps for specific vaccines.

Board members asked about a range of local concerns, from e-bike regulation to whether a previously proposed housing compact would return to Albany. Pollan said she does not expect the housing-compact proposal in its prior form to return and agreed to follow up on outstanding e-bike bills that trustees said have not kept pace with local use.

The visit closed with brief comments about flooding in the Bronx River corridor and thanks from village leaders for Pollan's partnership on grants and local advocacy. The board then moved to regular business.