Despite key elements still unsettled, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared victory Monday night on New York’s overdue state budget, praising progress on tax cuts, child credits, school meals, and inflation relief, according to multiple lawmakers.
However, major unresolved issues remain — including changes to prison staffing, merit-based sentencing reform, and revamping school aid. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins expressed little surprise at Hochul’s early declaration, saying her priority remains on completing the job.
The unresolved corrections strike fallout, stalled earned time reforms, and differing education funding formulas threaten to lower the final spending levels. Lawmakers say negotiations will likely continue into next week, with no clear end date in sight.
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