New York State Budget Negotiations Stall Amid Policy Disputes

New York's budget negotiations are stalled, now over a week past the April 1 deadline, largely due to disagreements over policy issues, particularly criminal justice reforms. Governor Kathy Hochul's proposals, including changes to discovery laws, a ban on face masks meant to harass, and a cellphone ban in schools, are contentious points that have frustrated legislative leaders. State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has pushed back against including new policy items in the budget, suggesting it complicates the negotiation process further. While Hochul seeks support from district attorneys for her reforms, opposition remains strong from various lawmakers, particularly concerning the potential regression of 2019 reforms. Amid the deadlock, the state has approved a budget extender to keep government operations running, but further extensions may be required as negotiations drag on. Both sides are prepared for prolonged discussions, with no clear resolution in sight.