GOV: BAIL FIX, OR ELSE
Says he’ll block budget unless reforms are repaired
ALBANY — No bail, no budget. Gov. Cuomo said flat out for the first time Friday that he won’t approve a state budget without changes to New York’s contentious bail laws.
The governor, who plans to host public meetings with prosecutors, police and advocates ahead of the April 1 deadline, admitted in a pair of radio interviews that he believes tying tweaks to criminal justice overhauls that have become a political lightening rod to the budget is the best way forward.
“We have to make the changes and we have to get it done in the budget,” Cuomo told Long Island News Radio.
Criminal justice reforms, which ended cash bail requirements for New Yorkers facing misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenses, were included in last year’s budget and went into effect on Jan. 1.
Law enforcement officials and Republicans have slammed Democrats over the changes, arguing that they have eroded public safety and led to an uptick in crime. GOP leaders have called for a full repeal of the reforms.
Supporters of the laws say opponents are sensationalizing rare cases and fear-mongering for political gain. They have also slammed Senate Democrats for proposing tweaks that they characterize as a “rollback.”
Senate Majority-Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (DYonkers) has defended her conference’s plans, saying they would end all cash bail, even for violent offenses, but give judges more discretion to detain dangerous defendants.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) has aligned himself with advocates in calling for more time to assess the situation.
Cuomo agrees that judges should have discretion over whether to keep people in custody before their cases are resolved, something he included in his own bail proposal last year.
“If we let this person out pending trial — by the way, you’re not guilty until trial — all you have is an accusation,” Cuomo said Friday. “If we let this person out, is there a significant risk they’re going to harm someone or risk the public safety? A judge has to make that decision.”
The governor has promised transparency, but budget negotiations are often closed-door sessions that only include the governor and legislative leaders.
Cuomo often frames the budget as a good way to pass politically unpopular measures as it provides cover for lawmakers facing pressure, either from primary challenges or advocates.
“Politicians, they are running for reelection. They don’t want to take a position, they’re afraid. They don’t want anyone to protest them,” the governor said.