State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie had a softer tone on where budget negotiations with Gov. Kathy Hochul stand on Friday — a day after he pushed back on her assertion the deal was done.
“We had a really good conversation. I think, like I said, my issue was never with her,” Heastie said. “I feel like I have an amazing relationship with the governor. My concern was more of the process. And I do think we’re very close on a budget, and I expect that we’ll get it done in short order.”
What You Need To Know
- State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie had a softer tone on where budget negotiations with Gov. Kathy Hochul stand on Friday — a day after he pushed back on her assertion the deal was done
- As is typical for Albany, the budget — which is overdue — is being tied to multiple policy initiatives, including crackdowns on so-called “super speeders,” pension benefit changes and a buffer zone around houses of worship during protests
- Among issues impacting the city: a push to change how the state provides funding to school districts, in order to increase money for students who live in temporary housing
As is typical for Albany, the budget — which is overdue — is being tied to multiple policy initiatives, including crackdowns on so-called “super speeders,” pension benefit changes and a buffer zone around houses of worship during protests.
On Thursday, Heastie pushed back against that arrangement:
“There’s no deal,” he said. “I’m saying this to y’all very clearly: I’m never doing this again. Budgets are supposed to be about money, not policy.”
Heastie shared what he thinks is holding up the budget on Friday.
“Probably conceptual agreement on, on some of the policy things. But, you know, I would feel that budgets are about fiscal documents. And we have to finalize the Medicaid budget. We have to finalize, you know, education, what we’re doing in, and higher education. So, like I said, we’re close and I think it’ll get done soon,” Heastie said.
Among issues impacting the city: a push to change how the state provides funding to school districts, in order to increase money for students who live in temporary housing.
“I think that’s going to happen in this budget. But those are some of the details we still have to work out.”
Heastie was in the Bronx to ceremonially break ground on a new mini soccer pitch, part of a $1 million investment from Airbnb in connection with the World Cup.