New York’s budget impasse inched forward as lawmakers struck a key agreement on pretrial discovery reform, according to Spectrum News 1. The stalled negotiations have dragged on for over two weeks, largely due to disagreements on how prosecutors and defense attorneys exchange evidence.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie confirmed the breakthrough, though a full budget agreement remains elusive. Governor Kathy Hochul’s compromise includes narrowing the evidence threshold and setting a 35-day limit for defense objections—excluding cases of police misconduct. Critics, including lawmakers of color, worry the changes could coerce unfair plea deals.
State leaders say the deal balances justice with public safety, but final legislative language is still being refined ahead of a complete budget resolution.
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