Write a commentThis past week, you may have observed an Albany tradition: On April 1, the state budget deadline passes while the Legislature fails to pass a budget.
The statutory deadline never changes, yet Democrat leaders continue to treat it as a suggestion. This pattern speaks to a troubling indifference from the governor and the legislative majorities.
As a result, the Legislature was forced to pass an emergency budget extender while negotiations between Gov. Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats continue. In fact, it may be more accurate to say those talks have barely begun. Discussions have stalled over policy disputes, including immigration protections, car insurance reform, changes to the state's green energy laws, as well as disagreements over raising taxes on high earners and corporations. Ironically, talks on the state's revenues and spending come after those policy items are exhausted.
The emergency budget extender ensures government operations continue through April 7, when the Legislature returns. Presumably, we will have to pass yet another short-term emergency extender as a final budget appears far off. This is no coincidence. The governor has repeatedly used late budgets as leverage to force policy priorities into the final package.
To put this in perspective, New York hasn't passed an on-time budget since 2019, and under Gov. Hochul, budgets are passed an average of 24 days late. That is not a standard we should accept. New Yorkers deserve a budget that is on time, fiscally responsible and transparent. That shouldn't be too much to ask of a document that impacts the livelihoods of local businesses, agencies, schools, municipalities, nonprofits, service providers and millions of individuals.
The governor is now making the rounds claiming she's holding out to fight for affordability, but that challenge was created by her own policies. She would prefer New Yorkers forget that part. Unfortunately, we still have a long road ahead, and this week's extension is just the first of several. Don't hold your breath—last year, the budget was not finalized until May 8. When people start placing bets on how long closed-door negotiations will last, it tells you exactly where public trust in state government stands.
There should be a strong desire to meet the April 1 deadline, and doing so with a budget that focuses on long-term fiscal health for our state. It's foolish to believe we must sacrifice one for the other. Passing a responsible, timely budget is one of the Legislature's most important duties, but year after year, that responsibility is unmet under one-party rule. It's not too late to bring back public trust in our state government, but it will require Albany lawmakers to bring back urgency, strong purpose and principles in their budget process.
If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at [email protected]. You may also find me, Assemblyman Will Barclay, on Facebook or X at @WillABarclay.
