As we reported to you last week, the NYS Senate and Assembly passed an on –time budget for the 2nd year in a row. The Governor has until midnight April 12th to decide how he wants to act on the budget. This week, all sides have been hard at work negotiating the issues. The Governor, who is not running for re-election, has stated that the budget submitted by the legislature spends too much and reforms too little. Mr. Pataki has two powerful tools at his command: the veto (if he does veto sections of the budget, there is the possibility that the veto will be overridden by the legislature); and the ability to disregard any budget provision that does not follow the language of his executive budget. The other key players, Assembly Speaker Silver and Senate Majority Leader Bruno say they don’t anticipate vetoes, but acknowledge they need the governor's help to accomplish their spending plans. This is an election year for both the Senate and the Assembly.

The legislature will be in session on April 10th and 11th and then will be on Passover/Easter break until Monday, April 24th.

• Monday, April 10th
  • Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson [D]
    Ranking member—Banks
    Albany, $300
  • Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee
    Albany, $500
  • Assemblymember Patricia Eddington [D]
    Chair– Libraries & Education Technology
    Albany, $350
  • Assemblymember David Gantt [D]
    Chair—Transportation
    Albany, $300