S6260

The New York State Senate passed a one-week budget extender on April 10, extending appropriations through April 17 to ensure continued state government operations and worker payroll. The measure, Senate Print 6260 (Calendar No. 589), sponsored by Sen. Krueger, passed 57-0 on a roll call vote. The extender appropriates approximately $1.6 billion to cover weekly state expenses including payroll, fringe benefits, and various assistance programs. The bill includes $9 million in state funds for healthcare providers who lost 340B program funding due to a policy change enacted two years ago, specifically targeting AIDS Drug Assistance Programs and Ryan White Centers. The extender was necessitated by the lack of a completed state budget, marking the second consecutive week the Legislature was called back to Albany for a short-term spending measure. Sen. O'Mara questioned the Governor's decision to submit two one-week extenders rather than a single two-week extender, estimating the cost to taxpayers at $60,000-$70,000 in legislative per diems and mileage. Sen. Rhoads pressed for clarification on 340B program funding and expressed concern that safety net hospitals were not included in the extender despite their critical role serving indigent populations. Sen. Krueger acknowledged that major policy issues remain unresolved in budget negotiations, including education funding and comprehensive healthcare program restructuring, but expressed optimism that progress was being made.