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No new discussions are anticipated today regarding New York's state budget as the state continues to operate without a finalized budget. The budget director has indicated that policy issues remain the primary obstacle in negotiations between lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul. Last week, a budget extender was passed to keep the state running through Tuesday (April 15), when the legislature is expected to return to the State Capitol in Albany. Originally, lawmakers were set to take a two-week break for Passover and Easter.
Governor Hochul has stood firm on her policy demands, despite missing the April 1 budget deadline. She has proposed a $252 billion budget, but disagreements with fellow Democrats in the legislature have stalled progress. Key issues include changes to discovery laws, which set deadlines for evidence sharing in criminal cases, and proposals to make it easier to commit mentally ill individuals to psychiatric care. Hochul told reporters, "I'm not going to compromise my principles over a date."
The legislature has passed a fourth budget extender to ensure state workers get paid, but lawmakers themselves have their paychecks withheld until a budget is finalized. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie recently introduced a bill allowing lawmakers to be paid if non-financial policy issues delay the budget. Heastie commented, "Governors use the leverage of not getting a budget done until they get their policy initiatives."
Tensions have been high, with Governor Hochul and legislative leaders meeting for the first time in five days last Thursday (April 10). State Senator Michael Gianaris expressed optimism, saying, "We stand ready to get this done, we’re all anxious to get it done."