[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6567757,"mediaKeyId","3255508-fc6f217b57c8d9f73130292b7a32fd61","parentId",3255508,"title","State operations bill advances amid debate over broad legal‑defense funding for state officers","audioSeconds",2086,"startMs",3600000,"endMs",5686000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255508-fc6f217b57c8d9f73130292b7a32fd61&start=3600&end=5686","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255508-fc6f217b57c8d9f73130292b7a32fd61/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567757/New-York/State-operations-bill-advances-amid-debate-over-broad-legaldefense-funding-for-state-officers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567757-e5ff81975e5193c0a9f75afc91304fff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207998&Signature=OMSMGFl6s4MJ0MqJtHG8Lle6d9bVBXYvjHdo39jfATqS-Zpg5A-F97gFaKVFuVXn7TxuKGf4zsV91zb8s1~qDKyK1fi34ghDaeS5knRtSYKRm6DuXPiwdbyCEucKGtWUdJ7NNy5SdoCqI5Pz1Q-vAqIfe70v2H~8J0YYKuT4fi1-sQKGzO26fd6ZcXspLfL~vuHYphxAy26v46CdGU74TASldmY2li06jYMb8GUBfSp4dDFXqETDU9smYgYBtmJnJxd4DW3YlFvo6hiL6-w-ocpA8NhIlAK8SmrIuawqMV8wuKZyGcf7lhF3JUk3gzLM9liQYDw0XAwMaRPHpZAWcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New York Legislature","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Assembly advanced Assembly Bill 3000D, the state operations budget bill for SFY 2025–26, which carries $63.6 billion in all‑funds appropriations and authorizes up to $25 billion in general fund disbursements.

Floor debate on the state operations bill included a mix of programmatic line items and a high‑profile dispute over a newly added provision authorizing the state to reimburse reasonable attorney fees and costs for certain state officers when the executive (or the attorney general for non‑executive officers) determines the individual was targeted because of the position they hold.

Chair Pretlow, the bill’s floor sponsor, described multiple line items across agencies including $68,100,000 for the Office of Cannabis Management, increased funding for the ethics commission (chiefly for lease costs), and an appropriation for a reparations commission. He answered questions on corrections funding and a $535,000,000 correctional facility emergency response appropriation, saying much of that is intended to cover National Guard costs and other stabilizing expenditures while recruitment continues.

On the attorney‑fees provision, the sponsor said the new $10,000,000 appropriation would allow payment or reimbursement of “reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses” when the individual is determined to be targeted because of their state role. He described a review and authorization process involving the executive branch and the state controller for payment.

Several members pushed back on the provision’s scope and timing. One member warned the language was “extremely broad” and argued it could allow taxpayer funds to be used to defend conduct unrelated to an official’s state duties. Others asked about retroactivity to January 1 and whether the mechanism could be used as leverage in political disputes; the sponsor said January 1 was used because it aligned with the federal activity they were addressing and that the provision is not targeted at any single officer.

Other state operations highlights discussed on the floor included:

- A $9.2 million appropriation for the ethics commission, largely for lease costs; chair noted the funds were intended for expanded lease space.
- Funding for the Department of Environmental Conservation to staff wetland regulation implementation and provide determinations to landowners.
- Shifts in funding for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention from the Department of Health to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, which the sponsor said conforms with statute and makes funding more direct for DCJS while still involving DOH on mental‑health matters.
- DOC funding to address overtime and to support rapid workforce increases; the sponsor said the National Guard deployment and associated costs remain a fiscal pressure.

The attorney‑fees debate produced several floor explanations of vote; lawmakers on both sides said they supported parts of the budget while objecting to the legal‑defense language. The state operations bill was recorded as Ayes 100, Noes 49 and passed the Assembly.

Why it matters: The state operations bill contains administrative funding for dozens of agencies and the attorney‑fees provision changes the circumstances under which the state can pay outside legal costs for officers. The breadth of that new authority prompted immediate concerns about scope, retroactivity and political leverage.

What to watch: Review of the enrolled bill language for the attorney‑fees provision, guidelines or implementing regulations from the Executive Chamber and the controller’s office, and any follow‑up oversight hearings to clarify the reimbursement approval process and limits on use of funds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New York Legislature - 5-8-25 Session Part 3 - May 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Assembly Bill 3000D, the state operations appropriation for SFY 2025–26, advanced after an extended floor debate that focused on a new, $10 million appropriation authorizing state payment of outside legal fees for certain state officers when the executive or attorney general determines they have been targeted because of their office.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NY, New York","taxId",77685,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6567762,"Assembly advances $231.1 billion aid-to-localities budget bill with funding for school meals, child care and housing vouchers",3493,60000,3553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255508-fc6f217b57c8d9f73130292b7a32fd61&start=60&end=3553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255508-fc6f217b57c8d9f73130292b7a32fd61/thumbnail_60000.jpg","/articles/6567762/New-York/Assembly-advances-2311-billion-aid-to-localities-budget-bill-with-funding-for-school-meals-child-care-and-housing-vouchers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567762-d3ad8ebcc1036d79aec5e250cbc942ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207998&Signature=MJiUx2~phODM~nUPxHOWh8YOlYuHHG5oHAiFvXlJ4Bpayk-u1wNsMOeKBJmYa9XwlllMtqxo0voEr0n6n3aw07iq2qFmGLcMp~H83~7Ppn3BXnGGeozEP8p~4A2sf1IRoZFph2ObuLB5suLCXh1yAWXuLw6HqixhQdcg0BxyuDKEY4Z9i9pfYYcuF7xujeWxnxB6Xj3qjrTBrfXM627GXVgwe-gandmXHzZRQVkhMLtFm-vOAywCBvFpz6A35or81HYJmgJ6JnYvtiPRpMKboz4wobkbvhuwbaRROXIwXSxjla2Q0R7RCzGyDvCYsaKJS7bRyMEjk-4vUN2ONDkjbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New York State Assembly advanced Assembly Bill 3003D, the aid‑to‑localities budget for state fiscal year 2025–26, a bill that carries $231,100,000,000 in all‑funds appropriations and authorizes up to $85,000,000,000 in general fund disbursements.

The bill includes funding for education, child care, housing and transportation programs that the Assembly sponsor and other members said are intended to support local governments, schools and transit systems statewide.

Sponsors and members said the budget accepts the governor’s $13.5 million proposal to help school districts implement a recently enacted student cell‑phone restriction, but acknowledged the amount will be allocated by the State Education Department and that local implementation costs vary. “I really have no idea what the cost would be,” Chair Pretlow said, noting costs “could be anywhere from 0 … to $30 per phone” and that districts may choose different approaches such as pouches or cubbies.

The bill fully funds universal free school meals for the coming year but includes contingency language allowing the budget director to make adjustments up to $2,000,000,000 should federal funding change. Chair Pretlow described those possible federal actions as “rumor” and said the budget was built on known resources.

The legislation creates a $50,000,000 Housing Access Voucher Program for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or whose household income is no more than 50% of area median income. Pretlow said vouchers will be allocated by county “based on the number of people that are housing challenged” and that “the rent goes to the landlord.”

Child care funding was increased by $400,000,000, a mix of state and locally matched funds aimed at reopening and expanding child care assistance in jurisdictions that had closed applications. Pretlow said $350,000,000 of that increase will be matched 1:1 by local social service districts “with priority given to New York City.”

On higher education, the bill includes funding for the Opportunity/Promise scholarship programs and increases base aid for SUNY and CUNY community colleges (additional $8,000,000 for SUNY; $5,300,000 for CUNY). The sponsor said the exact number of scholarship beneficiaries will depend on applications and eligibility criteria.

The bill provides $100,000,000 for public campaign finance matching funds and clarifies expansion of matchable contributions will not reduce the statutory per‑contribution base but will reduce clawbacks for inadvertent overages, the sponsor said.

On transportation, the budget directs $4,400,000,000 in operating aid to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and additional revenue from MTA payroll tax changes and congestion pricing to stabilize MTA finances; the sponsor said the MTA is “fully funded for the rest of the year.” Non‑MTA public transit systems receive increases described in the bill text and sponsor remarks.

Unemployment insurance debt is addressed through an $8,000,000,000 automatic transfer provision rather than a direct appropriation; the sponsor said payments will likely be made over multiple installments beginning on or before June 30.

On social services and special needs, the bill preserves a cost‑of‑living adjustment for special education institutions but does not include new direct salary increases for certain 4201 private special education schools; a study on tuition rate methodology for 853 schools remains pending.

Members from both parties used floor time to press for additional clarity on allocations and implementation details—who will administer voucher disbursement, how child care matching will be prioritized, and how prior‑year aid claims are handled. The sponsor confirmed there is no appropriation in this bill for prior‑year aid claims and that some items will require separate or follow‑up legislation.

Votes at a glance: Assembly Bill 3003D was recorded as Ayes 104, Noes 45; the bill passed on the floor.

Why it matters: The aid‑to‑localities bill channels the bulk of state spending to counties, school districts, transit systems and local social service programs. While the bill sets funding levels, many implementation details—allocation formulas and administrative rules—will be handled by agencies or require follow‑up actions by the Legislature.

What’s next: Several members signaled intent to pursue separate bills or post‑budget oversight on specific issues raised during debate, including funding mechanics for special education schools and prioritization rules for child care assistance.","The Assembly advanced Assembly Bill 3003D, the aid-to-localities budget for SFY 2025–26, approving $231.1 billion in all‑funds appropriations and directing a range of targeted investments including universal free school meals, a $50 million housing access voucher program and $4.4 billion in MTA operating aid.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6567751,"Legislature and judiciary budget bill passes as Assembly closes session",1501,5700000,7201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255508-fc6f217b57c8d9f73130292b7a32fd61&start=5700&end=7201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255508-fc6f217b57c8d9f73130292b7a32fd61/thumbnail_5700000.jpg","/articles/6567751/New-York/Legislature-and-judiciary-budget-bill-passes-as-Assembly-closes-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567751-75cd066b79c905ae92f00083995f96f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207998&Signature=EzeAGY2DAunaH5GPb6LoA4F6fqci4koK4rhwuLCEzbmnoBB-kclyigOhqNW4kQDU-kzKehJVOldPbZL1v11Q93rwfFqy6g50JVTkVX9iTD9V7~f2RbN7fcJHEstApSLfpn0~HPEZKs6k2HqI879FAJILL89fdilJNtIuPHQgYLIiIkHEvSnieMgO5wBlwQO-KuFOQqYUwqMczSvZL0O1hTwlPhwxQ5FLK~P5vTW05sQR5TYyaP0w5JViobo4-i8ZUNmj~qqAhbSnHwjmHlkKBvKgGggOeLsQklJsK8t-XWK0lc550jFBoL1SObatAhjlZEl9CEVQ4q1kCPkIJQ--4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assembly Bill 3001A, the legislature and judiciary appropriation for state fiscal year 2025–26, was read and advanced on the Assembly floor. The bill carries an all‑funds appropriation the sponsor reported as approximately $4.4 billion and authorizes disbursements from the general fund for Legislature and Judiciary operations.

Floor remarks in favor commended Ways and Means staff, leadership and support teams for completing the multi‑bill budget process. Multiple members highlighted staff work and thanked chairs and directors for coordination across hearings, amendments and floor briefings.

One member noted concerns with the size of increases for the judiciary, explaining a negative vote on that basis; other members described investments for courts, staff pay and agency operations as necessary.

The Assembly recorded the final vote on Assembly Bill 3001A as Ayes 116, Noes 33; the bill passed.

Why it matters: The legislature and judiciary bill funds the operations of the branches that administer court services, legislative staff and related program support. Passage completes the Assembly’s floor consideration of three major budget appropriation bills that together form the enacted SFY 2025–26 budget package.

What’s next: Enrolled bill language will be reviewed for administrative implementation and any appropriation transitions; members signaled continuing oversight of specific line items.","Assembly Bill 3001A, the legislature and judiciary budget for SFY 2025–26, was advanced and passed; members used floor time to thank staff and leadership for navigating a complex multi‑bill budget process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State operations bill advances amid debate over broad legal‑defense funding for state officers

Assembly advances $231.1 billion aid-to-localities budget bill with funding for school meals, child care and housing vouchers

Legislature and judiciary budget bill passes as Assembly closes session