Another missed deadline for the state budget means another budget extender to keep the government running and staff paid. Today begins a two-week vacation for the legislature for the Passover and Easter holidays, though that could be cut short if the governor calls them back to Albany for another budget extension vote. Al Samuels is the CEO of the Rockland Business Association and he says it’s unfortunate that policy issues are holding up an agreement on the governor’s proposed $252 billion spending plan…
Local Assemblyman Karl Brabenec of the 98th district, covering western Ramapo and parts of Orange County, agrees that policy issues are best decided outside the budget negotiations…
The New York Post said that last Thursday was the first time that the state’s big three Democrats — Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and the governor met since the previous Saturday.