ALBANY, N.Y. — While New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s bail bombshell dominated budget talks in recent weeks, there are plenty of other big-ticket items and spending plans for review ahead of the April 1 fiscal deadline.
Bolstered by federal COVID funds, the governor offered a $216 billion spending plan in January including better-than-expected tax revenue, proposals to fast-track downstate casino licenses, increase education and child education care spending, fund pandemic recovery initiatives and provide bonuses for health care and front-line workers.
Legislative leaders countered with their own wish lists to further increase spending on social programs and boost funds for SUNY and CUNY schools, suspend the state’s gas tax and enact the Clean Slate Act, which would automatically clear conviction records.
