The state’s top leaders, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, are negotiating a plan to spend taxpayer money behind closed doors.

None of them have spoken publicly about it in more than a week.

Meanwhile, advocates are hoping their top priorities are included in the spending plan.

What You Need To Know

  • State leaders have been negotiating a state spending plan behind closed doors

  • Hochul has a new ad targeting voters and asking them to support her budget priorities

  • Progressive groups are hoping their issues make their way into the final budget

It’s a different administration, but some would call it the same old Albany.

“As we talk about transparency as it relates to this particular budget coming up. We are going down now the same old slippery slope that history has shown us has not worked very well in New York State,” says Republican State Senator Jim Tedisco.

Hochul is trying to communicate directly with voters, however an organization called American Opportunity, which is funded by former mayor Michael Bloomberg, is running ads on her behalf, urging New Yorkers to support her budget priorities — particularly when it comes to changes she is seeking to the state’s controversial bail reform law.

“Nine out of 10 New Yorkers agree, crime is a serious problem,” an announcer says in the ad. “People want the bail laws fixed and action on public safety. It’s why Kathy Hochul passed a landmark bill to strengthen gun laws and now her budget does even more.”

Progressive advocates are still pushing for some of their top issues, including the bill known as “Good Cause Eviction” which would strengthen the rights of tenants over property owners.

“Right now we are moving forward full steam ahead in particular for ‘Good Cause Eviction,’” said Sochie Nnaemeka, director of Working Families Party. “And ensure that the tenants have the protectors that they need. Especially in this moment of rising costs and general affordability.”

Lawmakers have two more days to craft a spending plan.

There is already discussion about passing extenders early next week to keep the government running and make payroll.