New York lawmakers convene joint budget conference to reconcile competing spending plans

Senate and Assembly leaders opened the joint General Conference Committee on St. Patrick's Day to begin reconciling competing one‑house budget plans, outlining major program priorities and areas of contention as the conference process began.

The Senate majority set out a budget framework it described as a "fiscal battle plan" that aims to shield New Yorkers from federal cuts while delivering long‑term tax relief for working families and seniors, expanding the earned income tax credit and creating rebate checks. The majority also highlighted large investments in education, childcare, higher education, health and mental health services, housing, public safety and climate resilience.

"The senate majority's budget is a fiscal battle plan to protect New Yorkers from federal cuts while investing in the needs of everyday families," said the Senate majority leader (unnamed in the transcript), listing priorities that included rebate checks, an enhanced working families tax credit and expanded earned income tax credit.

The Assembly leadership…