S4001B

The New York State Senate passed its $229 billion budget bill (S4001B, Calendar 720) on a 42-21 vote, with all 21 nays coming from Republican members. The debate centered on accountability and oversight of the Judiciary, which received a $100 million increase to $3.4 billion. Sen. Liz Krueger, the bill's sponsor, acknowledged concerns raised by Sen. Daphne Walczyk about past cost overruns and wasteful spending within the court system, including a $95 million overrun on the Bronx Hall of Justice and $1 million annually spent by former Chief Judge Janet DiFiore on a 24/7 chauffeur. Walczyk argued the budget lacked sufficient accountability measures and transparency requirements to prevent future abuse. Krueger confirmed that language addressing Judiciary accountability could not be negotiated into the final bill through three-way talks with the Assembly and Governor, but pledged the Senate would pursue such measures through separate legislation. The $100 million Judiciary increase was attributed to new judgeships, staffing increases, collective bargaining agreements, and legislatively enacted hourly rates for 18B attorneys. Sen. Andrew Martins questioned a $2 million allocation for the Commission on the Long Island Power Authority, clarifying that the funds represented reappropriated unspent money from the prior year rather than new appropriations.