Tagged: budget

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 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.  

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders reached a tentative deal last night increasing the state minimum wage over the next three years to $9-an-hour.

The Daily News reports that under the emerging agreement, the current $7.25 hourly minimum wage would increase in stages — to $8-an-hour in January; to $8.75 at the beginning of 2015; and topping off at $9-an-hour by the end of 2015. Meanwhile, Calling it a ploy by politicians in Albany, critics are blasting a proposal to extend a temporary income tax hike for millionaires.

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.

Legislative leaders are holding multiple closed door meetings with Governor Cuomo, and say they expect a deal on the budget within the next day, in order to print and pass bills by Friday. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and the other leaders, were reluctant to provide details, saying they did not want to jeopardize any possible agreements.

  Today's panelists: Alan Chartock, WAMC's Morning Edition host David Guistina and our Capital Correspondent – Karen Dewitt; Joe Donahue moderates.

This morning our discussion topics include:
• New York State budget negotiations
• Cuomo calls for consolidation
• Senate plan on immigration
• Iraq war anniversary
• NCAA Brackets announced