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The New York State Legislature has passed a fourth budget extender, authorizing $2.4 billion to keep the state government operational through Tuesday (April 15). This measure ensures that essential programs continue and state employees, including Governor Kathy Hochul, receive their pay. However, pay for state legislators is suspended until a full budget is approved.
The budget deadline was initially set for April 1, but negotiations have stalled due to disagreements over non-budgetary items. These include changes to the state's criminal justice system, such as the pretrial criminal discovery laws, and other policy proposals like a ban on mask-wearing and modifications to involuntary commitment laws. Governor Hochul has emphasized the importance of these changes, stating that she will not sign a budget without them.
Tensions have risen between Governor Hochul and lawmakers, with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie expressing frustration over the inclusion of non-budgetary items in the budget plan. He proposed a rule change to allow lawmakers to be paid if unrelated policy is included in the governor's budget plan, though it is unlikely to pass.
As budget negotiations continue, lawmakers are set to return to the Capitol next week, despite originally planning to be off for Passover and Easter. The final budget, which is expected to be $252 billion, remains under discussion, with unresolved issues including school aid and funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
State Budget Director Blake Washington noted that while the timing of new proposals may seem inconvenient, it is part of an "organic process." Lawmakers are hopeful for a resolution soon, but with the current pace, the likelihood of reaching an agreement by the next deadline remains uncertain.