NY Budget Process

3/18/2013 (Updated 8:56:08 PM)

Despite optimism earlier in the day on Monday that state legislators could reach a budget agreement with the Governor before the end of the day, it looks like negotiations could last for much of the week. 

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo says there are too many moving parts still to be negotiated. She says minimum wage has been a big focus of discussion in Albany. Many lawmakers are also fighting over extending what's called the state energy tax which was set to expire this year.

"As they say in Albany, it's not soup yet. There's a lot of ingredients in the soup and it just hasn't come together yet. So the longer it goes the longer we'll be here during the week to get the budget done," said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, (D-Endwell).

Lupardo says lawmakers would like to avoid having to work through the upcoming Palm Sunday, Passover, and Easter holidays. For that to happen, an agreement would have to be reached later this week.  The state's fiscal year begins April 1st.



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