Bail reform out, Uber fee in amid budget talks
ALBANY, N.Y. » The fate of proposals to impose new congestion tolls in Manhattan, levy a tax on opioid manufacturers and reform New York’s bail system could be decided by week’s end as lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo work to strike a state budget deal.
Sunday marks the start of the state’s new fiscal year and the deadline by which lawmakers and the governor are expected to pass a new budget. The spending plan, expected to total around $170 billion, likely will include several policy issues that have little to do with state finances.
Here’s a look at where several high-profile proposals stand Tuesday as closed-door negotiations continue:
NYC Tolls
A proposal to impose tolls of $11 or more on motorists driving into the heart of Manhattan appears to be failing, though a more modest plan for smaller surcharges on taxis and Uber rides is gaining momentum. Under the proposal, surcharges of $2.50 would be levied on cab rides south of 96th Street.
Trips with Uber, Lyft or other ride-hailing services in the same zone would be assessed a $2.75 surcharge. Supporters see the surcharges as just the first phase of a plan to roll out new congestion tolls on private vehicles in future years.
Opioid Tax
Cuomo’s call for a 2-cent-per-milligram tax on opioid manufacturers is running into opposition among Republican lawmakers. They say they worry the tax will be passed on to consumers, or that it won’t be dedicated to efforts to combat addiction as Cuomo has said.
“If we were putting that money that it was generating into new services, if we were helping people that so desperately need it in this state, then I would keep an open mind about it,” said Sen. Fred Akshar, R-Binghamton.
The tax, which would raise an estimated $127 million annually, is part of $1 billion in new fees and taxes proposed by Cuomo in the $168 billion budget proposal he unveiled in January.
Sexual Harassment
The Senate, Assembly and Cuomo have all advanced their own plans for creating a new, uniform sexual harassment policy for state workers and officials. The legislation emerged following national attention on harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace, and some form of new policy is expected to pass easily.
“I would like to see a strong statement, definition and policy that impacts our government,” said Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, DYonkers.
Schools
The Senate’s own budget recommendation would set aside $26 billion for education, the same amount as Cuomo is proposing, compared to $27 billion in the Assembly plan.
Early Voting
Cuomo and Democrats want New York to join the majority of states in allowing early voting but Republicans question whether local election officials can afford to pay for the change.
Child Victims Act
The Assembly and Cuomo are both pushing to include a provision extending the statute of limitations for child molestation and creating a one-year window allowing victims to sue their alleged abusers even if the statute of limitations has expired.
The Catholic Church leads the opposition to the one-year litigation window. Senate Republicans have long blocked the measure from getting a vote, a likely outcome again this year.
Bail Reform
Cuomo had proposed eliminating cash bail in misdemeanors and non-violent cases. Republicans are wary, and the proposal appears unlikely to pass in the budget.
Last Minute Additions
The owners of Del Lago casino in the Finger Lakes are seeking state help after revenues from its first year of operation came in under projections. Democrats want to include some gun control measures, while Republicans are suggesting more funds for school security instead.