Deadline in Less Than a Week, Still No NY Budget

New York legislative leaders who met for hours behind closed doors Tuesday trying to finalize the state budget due next week came away saying they were making “tremendous progress,” but offered no details on property tax relief, prekindergarten funding or the possibility of tuition aid to illegals.

“I don’t think we’re going to have an agreement today, but we’re working toward one,” Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told reporters.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the leaders would need to reach a budget agreement by Friday to leave enough time ahead of the April 1 deadline to both print bills and have a three-day public review period, though the governor could waive that requirement.

With talks set to resume late Tuesday, it appeared that tensions between Silver and Senate Republican co-leader Dean Skelos have eased. Skelos, who left a meeting abruptly Friday complaining of problems, jokingly put his arm around Silver after their meeting Tuesday.

“Look how much I love Shelly,” Skelos said.

This article appeared in print on page 14 of the March 26th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.