FINANCE

The New York State Legislature held a marathon joint budget hearing on February 13, 2025, examining the Governor's proposed 2025-2026 Executive Budget for public protection agencies. The hearing, which lasted more than 12 hours, featured testimony from state officials, law enforcement unions, criminal justice advocates, and community organizations, revealing deep divisions over criminal justice policy and significant operational challenges across multiple agencies. A central point of contention was the Governor's proposed changes to New York's 2020 discovery law, which requires prosecutors to share evidence with defendants. Defense attorneys and innocence advocates argued the changes would undermine protections against wrongful convictions, citing data showing zero exonerations due to withheld evidence since the 2020 reform. District attorneys countered that discovery compliance has created operational burdens, particularly in New York City, leading to case dismissals on technical grounds. The debate highlighted a fundamental disagreement about whether the law is working as intended or needs modification. The Robert Brooks murder at Marcy Correctional Facility dominated corrections-related testimony. Commissioner Daniel Martuscello outlined reform efforts including $400 million for fixed cameras and $18.4 million for body-worn cameras, while acknowledging the department is critically understaffed with over 2,200 correction officer vacancies. Robert Ricks, Brooks' father, delivered emotional testimony calling for an independent special prosecutor to handle crimes by correctional staff and reform of the statute of limitations for prisoner lawsuits. He criticized the current system as fundamentally broken, noting that officers involved in the killing had prior histories of abuse. Law enforcement unions painted a dire picture of recruitment and retention crises. The NYPD is nearly 7,000 officers short of peak staffing, with 246 members quitting or retiring monthly. The State Police reported struggling to fill investigator positions, with one official stating bluntly: "If good people don't take these jobs, bad people will." Corrections officers described working mandatory 16-hour shifts and 24-hour shifts, with one union president saying the working conditions "suck." These agencies attributed staffing problems to low pay, inadequate benefits, and the impact of recent criminal justice reforms. Immigration enforcement emerged as a significant concern, with advocates warning that recent ICE enforcement actions and the rollback of "sensitive locations" policies are creating fear in immigrant communities. Organizations testified that immigrants are afraid to go to work, school, and seek medical care. They requested $165 million in immigration legal services funding and urged passage of the Access to Representation Act and BUILD Act. The Judiciary requested $3 billion with a $171.2 million base increase and $97 million in additional funding. Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas emphasized the need for more judges and court staff to address backlogs, particularly in New York City. He noted that discovery compliance rates differ significantly between the city and upstate, though he defended the 2020 discovery law as necessary and important. Civil legal services providers testified about a recruitment and retention crisis driven by wage gaps with government agencies. Civil legal services attorneys earn 25-38% less than their government counterparts. The hearing also featured testimony about the domestic violence services crisis, with advocates warning that programs face an "existential crisis" due to reliance on federal funding that may be cut or restricted. The hearing revealed the Legislature faces difficult choices balancing public safety, criminal justice reform, and operational needs of state agencies. While some lawmakers expressed support for discovery law changes and bail reform modifications, others defended the 2020 reforms as working as intended. The staffing crises across law enforcement and corrections agencies suggest that without significant investment in recruitment and retention, public safety could be further compromised. NEW YORK — A community organizer and formerly incarcerated individual testified before the state Senate Finance Committee on Thursday in support of four criminal justice reform measures, citing public polling and recidivism data to argue for legislative action on sentencing reform and court fee elimination. Tom Gant of the Center for Community Alternatives urged lawmakers to include the Second Look Act (S158), the Earned Time Act (S352), and the End Predatory Court Fees Act (S318) in the 2025-2026 executive budget. He also opposed the Governor's proposal to undo discovery reform protections. Gant testified that New York incarcerates over 30,000 people, 75 percent of whom are Black and brown, many aging with chronic health issues. He cited polling showing 68 percent of New Yorkers support second-look legislation and 74 percent support earned-time measures. "Now is the time for New York to move toward the remedy for sentence reform," Gant said. "Now is the time to move forward to giving incarcerated citizens hope." The Second Look Act would allow judges to reconsider excessive sentences, while the Earned Time Act would incentivize rehabilitation and reduce sentences based on good behavior. Gant argued the court fees bill would stop "criminalizing poverty" by eliminating mandatory surcharges that disproportionately burden Black and brown New Yorkers. Alyssa Bradley of the Center for Employment Opportunities reported that her organization's program reduces recidivism by up to 22 percent and helps 52 percent of participants maintain employment for up to one year post-placement. Senators expressed support for the measures. Chairwoman Liz Krueger stated the Senate is "a partner in the Assembly" on criminal justice reform goals. Sen. Myrie asked pointed questions about recidivism outcomes, signaling engagement with evidence-based policy. The hearing concluded at 8:29 p.m. on February 13.