Progress being made on NYS Budget
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The state budget is 15 days past due, but according to leaders, progress is being made on some key issues holding up the budget.
Lawmakers returned to the capitol on Tuesday— a day originally scheduled to be a part of their two-week break. Another budget extender was passed which will go until Thursday.
"I think everyone’s expectations, we will be back on Thursday to pass another one because no one realistically thinks the budget will conclude by then," explained Senate Deputy Leader, Michael Gianaris.
Involuntary commitment, establishing a bell-to-bell restriction on cellphone use in schools, and changing the state’s discovery law are among the top priorities of Governor Kathy Hochul.
Hochul has been holding press conferences highlighting her proposal to change the discovery law, saying she wants to make sure cases aren’t thrown out on technicalities. According to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, after working with district attorney’s there is a “framework on having the discovery issue resolved.”
"The governor always said to me she wanted the DA’s to be in a good place, the DAs seem to be in a very good place," Heastie told reporters. Her team was briefed on the language last night and they seem to be fine."
Governor Hochul was asked about the progress on discovery at a press conference in Ulster. She also added district attorneys have been involved in the process.
"Their voice has been important in this, as well as making sure the voices of everyone affected by this," said Hochul. "So, I believe there is conversations going on as we speak, which is why I’m anxious to get back to the Capitol, that there could be a resolution in sight."
The issue of involuntary commitment is still being hammered out, however Heastie said progress is being made on that as well.
"I think there are a couple of issues that the staffs are trying to work out. Things that we’ve raised and somethings that the senate has raised like discharge plans also wanting to when there is a serious situation that happens to have OMH to really examine these things. It’s smaller issues. I’d say in the grander issues of involuntary I think that’s in a good place."