An act making appropriations for the support of government —
2025-05-01
· Calendar #912
The New York State Senate passed its 10th budget extender Thursday, approving Assembly Bill 8115 by a vote of 50-4, as negotiations on the full fiscal year 2026 state budget continued behind closed doors. The measure keeps government operating for several more days while the Governor, Senate Majority, and Assembly leadership work to finalize a budget that was due a month ago. Sen. Liz Krueger, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, indicated that budget bills could come as early as Monday, May 5, but acknowledged negotiations were still ongoing despite Governor Hochul's public statements that a budget deal had been reached. The debate centered on concerns about transparency and a proposal to grant the Governor unilateral authority to make future budget adjustments in case of revenue shortfalls. Sen. Cathleen Helming and other Republicans opposed any such executive power, citing the precedent of Governor Andrew Cuomo's COVID-era authority. Sen. Rhoads criticized the closed-door process, noting that joint bipartisan budget subcommittees had not met in 45 days and that major issues including a $68 billion MTA capital plan and payroll taxes remained unresolved. Senators Borrello, Lanza, Ortt, and Weik voted against the extender. The Senate adjourned until Monday at 3 p.m.
PASSED
Ayes: 50
· Nays: 4
Debate Summary
The Senate debated the 10th budget extender as negotiations on the full fiscal year 2026 state budget continued. Sen. Helming raised concerns about the Governor's claim of a completed budget agreement when negotiations were still ongoing, and specifically objected to any language granting the Governor unilateral authority to make budget adjustments, citing the precedent of Governor Cuomo's COVID-era powers. Sen. Rhoads criticized the lack of transparency and public process, noting the state budget was already a month overdue and joint bipartisan budget subcommittees had not met in 45 days. Sen. Krueger indicated budget bills could come as early as the following Monday but negotiations were continuing.