Tech:NYC’s Statement Following Passage of the New York State Budget

May 9, 2025

Tech:NYC President & CEO Julie Samuels released this statement following passage of the New York State budget.

With new data showing that tech is adding jobs at nearly 10 times the rate of New York City’s overall economy, achieving balanced, common-sense regulations that won’t stifle growth is mission critical. Not only will this budget make our state more affordable, liveable, and safe, it will help New York continue to attract and retain the top tech talent in the world and ensure tech is used as a force for good. 

The $90 million expansion of Empire AI allows new institutions to join the consortium, solidifying New York's leading role in AI innovation for years to come. Additionally, the Governor’s bell to bell smartphone ban in schools, which Tech:NYC proudly supported, is a nimble and achievable solution to remove distractions in the classroom. And the inclusion of language that updates New York’s penal law to include AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is a laudable, common-sense fix to ensure the most abhorrent materials are punished to the full extent of the law.  

We appreciate the willingness of the Governor and Legislature to have a dialogue with our members and understand our concerns with over-regulation of AI companion systems, subscription services, and algorithmic pricing. These are complex issues whose impact stretches far beyond the tech sector, and it’s important that we continue to discuss and evaluate how proposals like these impact the people and businesses that call New York home.