S10324

The Senate accepted a Rules Committee report on Senate Print 10324, a government appropriations bill sponsored by Senator Serrano. The bill was directed to third reading following the committee's report. Sen. Gianaris moved to accept the report, which passed by voice vote without recorded opposition. The appropriations measure is now positioned for third reading consideration.

The New York State Senate passed a 12th budget extender on Thursday, extending government funding through the following Monday as negotiations on the state's $220 billion budget remained stalled more than 45 days past the April 1 deadline. The bill (S10324) passed 56-2, with only Sen. Rhoads and Sen. Weik voting against it. Sen. Rhoads explained his opposition as a protest against what he called 'an abomination of the democratic process,' citing lack of transparency, no bipartisan subcommittee meetings in two months, and the Governor's announcement of a budget deal without bills in print. During floor debate, Sen. O'Mara pressed bill sponsor Sen. Serrano for details on major budget agreements, including a reported $500 million cost for Tier 6 pension changes, $5.5 billion in NYC funding versus only $100 million for the rest of the state, and school aid increases. Serrano acknowledged the delays but declined to provide specifics, saying final budget language was not yet available. The extender will fund state government operations until the following Monday, though school districts across the state face budget votes the following Tuesday with no final state budget in place.