Despite frustration over delays, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie praised this year’s New York state budget as one of the best during his tenure, according to Spectrum News. While acknowledging procedural flaws, he dismissed a constitutional overhaul as too divisive and instead pledged to keep pushing legislation to protect lawmakers’ pay during future budget impasses.
The final budget, though late, included major wins like education funding boosts, student meal programs, and tax relief. However, a change to oversight of religious schools sparked controversy, with the state Education Department calling it a political retreat — a claim Heastie rejected as overblown and beyond their authority.
The Assembly extended its session through June 17 to finish outstanding business. The Senate will stick to its original June 12 adjournment date.
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