Astorino Slams Cuomo on Juvenile Justice Reforms

ALBANY (AP) —

The Republican who lost to Gov. Andrew Cuomo in last year’s election slammed the Democrat for his proposed juvenile justice reforms, saying they could cost local governments millions of dollars that the state wouldn’t pay.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who leads the state’s county executive association, said that if the reforms pass, local governments will have to pay for additional staff and juvenile detention facilities.

The changes sought by Cuomo include raising the age of criminal responsibility to 18, so all but the most violent 16- and 17-year-olds go through the juvenile system. New York is one of only two states that prosecute 16- and 17-year-olds as adults.

A Cuomo spokesman dismissed Astorino’s claims, saying the state will be required to pay for 100 percent of the reforms.

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