S9963

The Senate accepted a Rules Committee report advancing Senate Print 9963, an act making appropriations for the support of government sponsored by Sen. Serrano, directly to third reading. The report was approved by voice vote.

The New York State Senate passed a fifth budget extender on April 20, three weeks past the April 1 deadline, with a vote of 57-1. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Serrano, authorizes $12.7 billion in spending, including $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid through April 22. The extender includes approximately $2.3 billion for school districts, though Sen. O'Mara pressed Serrano for details on major outstanding policy issues including proposed changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, automobile liability insurance reforms, and State Environmental Quality Review reforms. Serrano declined to provide specifics, citing ongoing negotiations among the three parties. O'Mara expressed concern about the lack of transparency and the impact on school districts that must finalize budgets for voter approval within weeks. Sen. Weik cast the sole dissenting vote, criticizing the delay and the absence of table targets as evidence of inefficiency. Serrano expressed confidence that negotiations are progressing and the budget will be completed in time for school districts to plan appropriately, though he could not provide a timeline for finalizing the nine outstanding budget bills.