ALBANY – Three days before the April 1st state budget deadline, state legislators passed a budget extender that temporarily funds state government and averts a shutdown ahead of the Easter Holiday weekend.
“We don’t have a budget, and we won’t have a budget on time,” said State Senator Peter Oberaker, who represents the 51st State Senate District in Sullivan and Ulster counties. “The Senate and Assembly one-house budgets are far apart from the Governor’s proposal.”
Oberaker said that the budget bill that funds the state’s debt service will pass on Thursday, which will mark the passage of the first of 10 bills that comprise the state budget. The passage of the debt service bill must take place before April 1st to prevent the state from defaulting on its debt. Oberaker also said the legislature will pass a temporary spending bill that will ensure state workers are paid next week.
“Not all state employees are paid when there is a late budget,” Oberaker said. “The pay of state legislators is withheld, and rightfully so, when the budget is late. It serves as motivation to reach a budget agreement.”
Lawmakers are scheduled to depart Albany later today (Thursday) and return next week to continue with budget negotiations.
