New York lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul continue to be at odds over funding for the Buffalo Bills' new stadium, as well as proposals to make changes to New York's 2019 bail law that largely ended cash requirements for many criminal charges.
Lawmakers in both the state Senate and Assembly finalized a stopgap budget measure known as an "extender" that will fund state government on a temporary basis as the broader budget talks continue. A state budget had been expected to pass last Friday.
There is expected to be mininmal disruption for state workers who were paid as part of the measure.
"The passage of a budget extender bill will ensure that more than 60,000 state employees will be paid this week," said Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. "However, since the extender was passed after the time in which OSC indicated it must be done to avoid any disruptions, there may be a delay and employees on the institutional payroll should watch closely."
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on Monday told reporters negotiations continue over allowing restaurants to provide alcoholic beverages as part of to-go orders as well as a mechanism that is meant to provide some relief at the gas pump, either through a tax holiday or a rebate to consumers.
Speaking with reporters on Monday afternoon, Hochul said the extender bill, which funds the government through Thursday and keeps state workers paid, will buy officials more time to negotiate a final agreement.
She also defended her handling of her first budget negotiations amid criticism it was being conducted by closed doors.
"This is a very normal process. We're just going through what we believe is going to be a very good budget ultimately. It will be resolved in a matter of days," Hochul said. "We're getting close. We filed an extender as of today to make sure we'll continue paying our New York workers and also just give us a couple more days to help us wrap what will be a transformative budget for all New Yorkers."
But lawmakers and Hochul are yet to reach an agreement on the top-tier budget issue: Whether to expand the instances in which cash bail should be required.
Hochul wants gun crimes as well as alleged repeat offenses to be part of bail considerations, a proposal that comes as voters in New York have identified crime and public safety as a top-tier concern.
At the same time, some lawmakers are concerned with the Hochul administration's agreement with the Buffalo Bills to send $600 million in state funding toward the construction of a new football stadium for the Bills in western New York. Hochul has said more than $400 million in Seneca gaming funds is expected to cover part of the cost.
A legislative source on Monday said it's likely the coming budget will only include a small portion of the initial round of funding for the Bills stadium. There is also the acknowledgement among some in the Legislature that Hochul can direct the Seneca gaming proceeds directly to the stadium without legislative approval.
Heastie told reporters his Democratic conference was yet to internally discuss the specifics of the funding plan.
Lawmakers, meanwhile, are now hopeful they can finalize the state budget by Thursday.