Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders to work another day on budget agreement

New York State lawmakers are close to agreeing on a new state spending plan that would include a deal to raise taxes on the wealthy, and raise the minimum wage.  They failed to seal a pact Monday night, but say they will be back Tuesday morning to try again.

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Credit Office of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

From left, New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Governor Andrew Cuomo, and New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Senate Co-Leaders Dean Skelos and Jeff Klein , after a closed door leaders meeting, say they are hopeful that up to $700 million dollars in tax cuts for business and the middle class could be in the state budget.

Senator Skelos says it’s possible that an energy tax surcharge that the governor had wanted to extend could also be discontinued.
 
“We’re very close to having a deal,” Skelos said.

Senator Skelos confirmed that a tax increase on millionaires could be extended. The governor and leaders are also talking about raising the minimum wage, as part of the package and considering a phase in to $9 an hour over a three year period, but they say everything remains on the table until there's a deal.