ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--The state budget is now two weeks late.
Lawmakers are expected to return to Albany on Tuesday to pass another budget extender. Extenders help to keep state government operations running while there is no finalized budget.
"I’m not signing a budget that does not have
common sense public safety and affordability measures that I introduced in January," said Governor Hochul on Monday.
One of the biggest issues holding up the budget is the governor’s proposed changes to the state’s discovery law. She said changes that were made to it back in 2019 had unintended consequences, which lead to cases being thrown out.
At a press conference, Hochul shared a new state report supporting her proposed changes.
"We have to look at what is required in discovery and the timeframe and the reality," said Hochul. "And ask the question why there is a 26% increase in dismissed in domestic violence cases, for example, since these reforms went into effect. Why is that?"
However, some Democratic lawmakers are worried that changes to roll back the law could lead to evidence being withheld and wrongful convictions.
Hochul referred to the negotiation process as robust.
"Certainly the DA’s have their opinions, I have my opinions that align very closely to the DAs, but they’re also working with the Senate and the assembly on addressing their concerns, so it’s very much a fluid process that’s been ongoing longer than it needs to."
On Empire State Weekly, the New York State's Budget Director, Blake Washington, was asked when we could expect a finalized state budget.
"This budget will get done when all three parties have something to be proud of in its adoption," said Washington. ...read more read less