New York ironed out a "conceptual agreement" on a $220 billion budget deal on Thursday, with lawmakers coming to the end of eleventh hour discussions on bail reform changes, the state gas tax and a massive taxpayer deal for a new Buffalo Bills stadium.
The budget came together after nearly a week’s delay, and ultimately added $4 billion to the original budget proposal that Gov. Kathy Hochul floated in her January budget presentation, making room for last minute spending priorities.
The budget also lands in the midst of a year when the state is flush with higher-than-expected tax revenues and federal COVID-19 relief funding, and when Hochul is running for a full term as governor.
Hochul said the official budget language and related bills would likely be finalized Thursday into Friday.
"This moment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to not just bring relief to families and put more money in people's pockets, but to also make historic investments in our people and our state," Hochul said Thursday. "That's exactly what we've been working on, day and night, for weeks now. To craft a budget that does just that."
Approved in the budget were expected spending measures, such as funding for expanded child care and expedited casino licenses in New York City, as well as a $3-per-hour wage increase for New York home care workers and a deal for $600 million in taxpayer funding for the Bills stadium.
The Legislature missed the original budget deadline last Friday, and also blew...
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