ALBANY- Yet again, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli wrote a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders in the State Senate and Assembly to put them on notice that if a final budget deal, or third emergency extender, is not approved by Tuesday thousands of state workers could go without a paycheck.
The state budget was due on April 1st, however, delays in the final adoption have resulted in two 10-day emergency budget extenders being passed to fund state government. Without the emergency spending order, state employees would not be paid and the government would shut down.
The latest indication from the state capital is that a budget deal is nearing closer. The main sticking point–changes to the state’s controversial bail reform law passed in 2019. Hochul wants to see changes to the law including additional discretion for judges to issue bail for defendants, however members of the legislature are pushing back.
Over the past several weeks, outside groups have weighed in on the issue as the Governor and legislative leaders negotiate the final plan behind closed doors. In a memo sent to legislators, District Council 37 (DC37), one of the state’s largest labor unions, pushed back against the Governor’s plan to roll back bail reform. “DC 37 supports Bail Reform to reduce the harm done to people accused, but not convicted of crimes. Many folks are living paycheck to paycheck in these times,” read the memo.
The state legislature is expected to return to Albany this week to either pass a third emergency extender or being voting on the final state budget.
