Budget KOd by ‘ideology’
ALBANY — Negotiations over New York’s already-late budget broke down Wednesday as Gov. Cuomo and lawmakers failed to resolve a handful of “truly ideological” issues.
The GOP-controlled state Senate adjourned just after 8 p.m., and its members were sent home after a day of closed-door negotiations failed to resolve the impasse, with Republicans accusing Democrats of raising last-minute issues.
“We’ll come back when there is a deal,” said Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-Suffolk County).
Legislators, however, are scheduled to begin their Easter break, which stretches until late April, on Thursday.
Cuomo, during an earlyevening news conference, said talks had snagged on three issues: a provision to raise New York’s age of criminal responsibility to 18 from 16, funding for charter schools and the revival of a tax credit — known as 421-a — used for developers of affordable housing.
“What we are down to are truly ideological issues,” Cuomo said.
Cuomo and Flanagan both stressed that government would continue to function through May 31 thanks to extender legislation approved by lawmakers Monday.
Senate Democratic leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Westchester County blasted the breakdown in talks.
"What is happening right now is ridiculous,” Stewart-Cousins said. “Dysfunction and chaos has descended on Albany.”
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx), said his members were prepared to stay at the Capitol until all issues were resolved.
“We made a commitment to work,” Heastie said.
Cuomo and lawmakers had until midnight last Friday to reach agreement on a new spending plan. After weekend talks failed to reach an agreement, the Legislature approved a measure that not only kept the government operating, but also funded most of the governor’s favored economic development and capital projects.
The governor on Wednesday suggested that using temporary extenders to fund the state government might be a preferable approach because it would give him greater flexibility to deal with looming cuts in federal aid under President Trump and congressional Republicans.
Cuomo said he was prepared to continue negotiations with lawmakers through their break.