State has a budget after weeks delay
The budget for New York State’s upcoming fiscal year drew an array of plaudits and criticisms from Queens elected officials, with many approving of the criminal justice reforms enacted while others decried the lack of substantial ethics reform.
The budget passed a week after the original April 1 deadline, with Cuomo calling it a successful negotiation between himself, the state Assembly and Senate.
“The result is a budget that advances the core progressive principles that built New York: investing in the middle class, strengthening the economy and creating opportunity for all,” Cuomo said in a statement.
The budget will increase the state operating funds spending by 2 percent, and will include a $1.1 billion increase in education spending to $25.8 billion. The budget addressed several controversial issues, including a decision to raise the age when most criminal defendants can be tried as an adult to 18 years old; an agreement on 421-a negotiations to give tax breaks to developers to build affordable housing, and a new initiative that makes state and city colleges tuition-free for students in families making under $125,000.
Read more: http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2017/15/budgetfinal_2017_04_14_q.html