Monday Headlines: Extender Not Pretender Edition
The governor is full steam ahead on her plan to reform auto insurance, easily the most contentious issue in this year’s state budget, as state lawmakers look for explanations for her claims of cost savings and limited harm to the public.
But the reason that lawmakers will be ready to vote this morning has less to do with those negotiations and more to do with the legion of state workers who expect to get their next check.
They’re expected to pass a second budget extender to fund normal government operations today, which will run through Thursday, according to NY1’s Bernadette Hogan:
As far apart as things seem from the outside, a state budget agreement isn’t impossible in the coming weeks. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said she’s expecting a budget agreement by the start of May.
We can only hope she didn’t jinx it.
In other news:
Back in January, we reported that the so-called pause on the state Route 17 project in Orange and Sullivan was much overblown, as a bridge redesign in Wallkill all but ensured that the rest of the roadway would see a lane addition and a wider roadway. Well, shovels are going into the ground now. (The Times Union)
A Republican businesswoman is challenging Rep. Pat Ryan (D-Gardiner) in the 18th Congressional District after he’s turned the Mid-Hudson Valley swing district into something of a stronghold. (The New York Post)
After a court decision was reversed, the Democratic Socialists of America’s New York City chapter can expect a fat check in its coffers. (The New York Times)
State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) is not running for re-election, and Democrats think his replacement on the ballot will be Assembly Member Jake Blumencranz (R-Oyster Bay). (Newsday)
The Wall Street Journal is in the tank for Hochul’s insurance scam.
For now, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is focused on the fast part of fast and free buses. (Gothamist)
A machete-wielding man slashed three people in Grand Central Station before he was shot and killed by law enforcement. (NY1)
Former Rep. Eliot Engel died at 79. (The Associated Press)
The MTA is looking for riders to give some feedback this spring as it releases a survey. (amNY)
Well, speaking of…the Metro-North has been slow to fix a broken elevator at the Poughkeepsie station. (Mid-Hudson News)
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
