Raymond Pignone at Columbia-Greene Media rounds up some reaction to the $229 billion state budget that was passed over a month late in Albany last week. Democratic State Sen. Michelle Hinchey said, “While this has been a difficult budget process, I’m proud of the historic wins we secured for the 41st District.... Our final budget takes major steps forward to make life more affordable for New Yorkers, maintaining the lowest personal income tax rates for working families in over 70 years and fully funding our public schools.” Hinchey specifically cited Columbia-Greene Community College, where more funding was secured, and students will not pay increased tuition fees. Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro of the 19th Congressional District disagreed, calling the budget a “dumpster fire” that got bail reform wrong and made New York more unaffordable. The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development Executive Director Jeff Senterman was happy with the budget, saying in a statement, “The budget includes funding for expanded visitor services at the Catskills Visitor Center, stewardship money to care for the Catskill Park, support of research and data collection across the region, and more. Both the natural resources and the communities of our region will benefit by this increase in investment, and by the increased attention being paid to our region.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.