Legislation & Policy

The New York State Senate held a rare Sunday session at the Capitol, in an attempt to get the state budget finished on time in the midst of major religious holidays.
 
The State Senate met to vote on three previously agreed upon budget bills, in an attempt to finish the spending plan without interfering with the Easter and Passover holidays.  Senate Finance Committee Chair John DeFrancisco explained it on the Senate floor.
 
“We’re trying to jumpstart the process,” said De Francisco, who says starting early gives everyone “ample time” for debating the bills.  

The Speaker of the State Assembly says a portion of New York’s gun control laws, set to take effect April 15th, may be postponed while talks continue on how to amend the provision.
 

Even though state lawmakers announced a budget agreement Wednesday, they spent the day Thursday trying to pin down details and print the bills in time to be through over the weekend.
 
One day after the budget agreement announcement, legislative leaders were once again huddling behind closed door with Governor Cuomo to talk about-
 
“Budget issues,” said Senate GOP Leader Dean Skelos, emerging from a leader’s meeting.
 
“Our discussions have been about the budget,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, after that same meeting.
 

Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders agreed to a framework for a new state budget Wednesday evening,  but say they are still working out many of the details .
 
Governor Cuomo says he and the legislative leaders have reached an accord on many of the budget issues, and hope to be finished passing everything by Sunday.
 
“I’m pleased to announce  this evening that we have a budget agreement in concept,” said Cuomo, who said bills would  begin printing immediately.
 

Governor Cuomo confirms that he and legislative leaders are talking about changing the state’s newly enacted gun laws to rescind a ban on the sale of 10 bullet magazines.