A11295

The New York State Senate passed a $2.9 billion budget extender bill on May 11, extending state government operations through May 14 as negotiations on the full fiscal year budget continue. The vote was 59-1, with only Sen. Weik voting in opposition. Assembly Bill 11295, sponsored by Assemblymember Pretlow and championed in the Senate by Sen. Serrano, appropriates funds for essential government operations including payroll, the Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax, and WIC payments. The passage marks the 11th extender bill as the state remains six weeks behind on finalizing its budget. Sen. Serrano told colleagues that negotiations are in the final stretch with progress on major policy issues including the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, environmental review procedures, auto insurance costs, and utility rate relief, though he could not confirm when full budget bills would be ready for a vote. Sen. O'Mara of the minority party criticized the lack of transparency and progress, noting that major policy issues remain unresolved and that no joint budget conference committees have been scheduled to distribute $385 million in table targets. O'Mara also raised broader concerns about the state's overall $268 billion budget, calling spending unsustainable and warning it exacerbates affordability challenges for New Yorkers and businesses.