Senate Deputy Leader Says Hochul's Waiting Game Budget Strategy 'Never Works'

With the New York state budget now eight days overdue, State Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris is pushing back against Governor Kathy Hochul's approach to the negotiations.

Gianaris stated that the Governor's strategy, seemingly aimed at pressuring lawmakers by extending the session, will not work.

He emphasized that legislators are not motivated by a desire to leave Albany for breaks and are fully prepared to continue working until a satisfactory budget agreement is reached, even if it means further delays.

"The later the budget is, the more the governor gets blamed, so if she wants to go through that route other governors have, she’ll have to figure it out for herself," Gianaris told Jack Arpey of Capitol Tonight earlier today.

The state budget was originally due on April 1st. As negotiations drag on, the delay is poised to enter its ninth day with no immediate resolution in sight.

This stalemate puts the legislature's scheduled Spring Break at risk. Lawmakers are supposed to recess after their session on April 9th and return on April 28th. However, this planned break appears increasingly likely to be canceled or significantly shortened as work on the budget continues.