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State lawmakers in Albany are set to vote on another budget extender today (Thursday, April 16), marking the second time this week they have taken such action. The previous extender, approved on Monday, keeps the state running through the end of the day. The budget, which was due on April 1, is now more than two weeks late, and there is no indication of when Governor Kathy Hochul and the Legislature will reach an agreement.
According to NEWS10, the ongoing negotiations include significant topics such as climate change, energy prices, and auto insurance reforms. Assemblyman John McDonald III noted that lawmakers are focused on crafting a budget that addresses these complex issues and works for all New Yorkers. However, Republican lawmakers, including Assemblyman Chris Tague, have expressed frustration with the slow pace of the budgeting process.
The delay in finalizing the budget is not a new occurrence in New York. As reported by MyNBC5, the last time the state passed a budget on time was in 2019. The budget process has often been delayed by policy changes added to the spending plan. This year, proposed wealth taxes and adjustments to the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act are among the contentious issues.
The current budget extender ensures that state employees continue to receive paychecks and that government operations remain funded. However, lawmakers will not receive their salaries until the budget is finalized. The extender is set to expire today, and if no progress is made, lawmakers will need to pass another extender to keep the state functioning.
As LeadingAge NY reports, the negotiations are expected to continue as lawmakers work to resolve policy differences. With the Easter and Passover holidays approaching, the budget talks may extend further into April.