S9036

The Senate Rules Committee reported Senate Print 9036, a government appropriations bill sponsored by Sen. Krueger, directly to third reading. Sen. Gianaris moved to accept the committee report, which passed by voice vote without opposition. The bill will proceed to third reading consideration.

The New York State Senate passed a $1.3 billion budget extender on April 11th, extending government operations and payments through April 15th as the state remained ten days past the constitutional April 1st budget deadline. The measure, Senate Print 9036 sponsored by Sen. Krueger, ensures continued payroll for state workers and payments to contracted programs including the WIC program, Indian Health Program, Department of Labor unemployment insurance benefits, and the Homeless Veterans Housing Program. The vote was 58-0. The extender prompted sharp criticism from Republican senators who expressed constituent frustration with repeated budget delays. Sen. Tedisco used an eclipse metaphor to describe the budget process, arguing that with Democrats controlling the Senate, Assembly, and the Governor's office, there is no one else to blame for the delays. Sen. O'Mara questioned the lack of budget subcommittee meetings and the absence of formal table targets for substantive negotiations. Sen. Krueger defended the process, arguing that constituents want a good budget and that government must continue operating. The Senate is scheduled to reconvene Monday, April 15th, with expectations that another extender may be needed if a full budget is not completed.