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New York state budget late because of ‘big budget issues’

New York State Capitol (News photo — Andy Flynn)

ALBANY — New York legislative leaders said on Thursday, March 30 that they expected to miss the April 1 deadline for adopting a new state budget as they negotiate with fellow Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul over her proposals to change bail rules and create new housing.

As of press time on Wednesday, April 5, a budget had not yet been passed in the Legislature or signed by the governor.

On Monday, April 3, Hochul issued a statement about the negotiations: “New Yorkers are concerned about public safety, the rising cost of housing, and ensuring high-quality schools for all our kids, and any budget deal must make progress on these core issues. I have been negotiating in good faith with the legislature, but it is clear there is more work to be done before we reach an agreement. For that reason, I am submitting a bill to the legislature that would extend the budget deadline to April 10th, giving us the time we need to deliver a final budget that is responsive to the urgent needs of New Yorkers. We must make real progress to make New York more affordable, more livable and safer.”

Before the deadline, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said the holdup on the budget is due in part because of “big policy issues” that the governor included in her proposal.

Hochul’s proposed budget includes a change to the current bail law to give judges greater discretion by removing the “least restrictive means” standard to ensure a defendant returns to court. Hochul describes it as a clarification of guidelines, but liberal lawmakers have resisted further changes to the state’s bail law.

“I think there’s always room for compromise,” state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters on March 30 when asked about bail changes.

Lawmakers also were focused on Hochul’s proposal to spur the creation of 800,000 houses within the next 10 years to combat the housing crisis in the state. Some lawmakers have resisted mandates in the governor’s housing plan.

Hochul told New York State Public Radio the April 1 deadline would not be met, but that “it’s not about a race to the deadline, it’s about a race to getting the right results.”

It was not clear how long it would take for the governor and lawmakers to reach an agreement.

“We can’t agree on how much to spend, we can’t agree on how to keep people safe, and a host of other issues,” Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt complained. “That’s ridiculous — that the Legislature cannot get a budget passed for the people in the state of New York.”

(Lake Placid News Editor Andy Flynn contributed to this report.)

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