New York lawmakers are on track to miss state budget deadlines as negotiations over housing and education funding continue, a senior administration official said Wednesday.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins told reporters that there is an April 1 deadline to adopt a new state budget, but that the Legislature is expected to grant an extension early next week, allowing the government to continue functioning while talks continue. Stated.
“We’re in the middle of the middle,” Democrat Stewart Cousins said at a news conference in Albany.
New York Democratic Party prepares for conflict with Hochul as lawmakers unveil budget proposal
Budget negotiations held behind closed doors between Democratic leaders in the Senate and Assembly and Gov. Cathy Hochul were expected to drag beyond the deadline, which falls just after Easter, but officials said the talks were not going well. This suggests that it was productive.
Lawmakers appear cautious to avoid an explosive situation like the one that delayed last year’s spending plan for more than a month as Democrats fought over bail laws and a housing construction program.
Still, this year, a familiar topic has emerged as a challenge.
Lawmakers are trying to strike a deal on a housing plan that includes new construction, tenant protections and tax breaks for developers to encourage construction in a state notorious for high rents and home prices.
FILE – The New York State Legislature is shown during the legislative session after Gov. Kathy Hochul presents the 2025 state executive budget at the Capitol. Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in Albany, New York His New York state legislators are expected to be absent from the state Legislature. Negotiations over housing and education funding continue, with a budget deadline of Wednesday, March 27, 2024, a senior government official said. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File)
“We are all on the same planet. We are all working towards realizing a grand plan that not only addresses affordability but also addresses supply needs and tenant protection needs. ,” Stewart-Cousins said.
Hochul’s proposal to increase criminal penalties for assaulting retail workers as part of a larger strategy to address crime concerns in the state is also divided. State legislative leaders rejected her plan shortly after it was announced, arguing that the state already has laws against assault and that tougher penalties would not stop crime.
Another potential source of disagreement is Hochul’s proposal to change the way the state funds schools. The governor said his own plan would allow the state to better direct funding to districts that need additional funding. But he has drawn criticism, saying it will result in less revenue for some districts.
Instead, legislative leaders say the state should conduct a study of the state’s school funding formula and consider how it can be improved in the future.
Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters earlier this week that while an extension was a possibility, he, the Senate and the governor were largely on the same page.
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“Within the budget, we could be in different galaxies,” Heastie said Tuesday, adding, “I don’t know yet if we’re in the same country, but I think we’re on the same planet.” added.
