Assembly passes short-term budget extender to keep state funded through April 14
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Summary
The New York State Assembly approved A.10850, a short-term budget extender that funds payroll, Medicaid, transit and other programs through April 14; members voiced frustration with repeated extenders and unresolved policy negotiations ahead of a full budget.
The New York State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 10850 on April 7, a short-term budget extender that the clerk said will keep state operations funded through April 14. The final vote was announced as Ayes 135, Nays 0.
Chairman Pretlow introduced the measure as a stopgap to “ensure funding for vital programs through April 14,” noting it covers administrative payroll, Medicaid, mass transit operating assistance, unemployment insurance, OPWDD, veterans programs and general state charges. The clerk read that the act would take effect immediately.
Assemblymember Paul Musano, who questioned the chairman on the floor, said the extenders are keeping government operating but leave members and the public with little visibility into a final plan. “This budget extender keeps the lights on, but it does not provide any direction to the residents we represent in our district,” Musano said, while also voting in the affirmative.
Musano and Pretlow exchanged estimates and timing expectations on the budget process. Pretlow told members the total extended so far is about $3,960,000,000, an increase of approximately $2,900,000,000 above the prior extender. He said outstanding policy negotiations — including auto insurance, SECRA and state climate law changes — are holding up a complete fiscal plan and that spending targets have not yet been finalized.
Pretlow also flagged discussions around proposed Tier 6 pension reforms, saying the item carries an estimated $1,500,000,000 price tag and that debate continues on whether municipalities will share the cost or the state will assume it alone.
After the clerk recorded the vote and announced the result, routine housekeeping followed and members were asked to attend a majority conference immediately after session. Miss People Stokes moved to adjourn; the Assembly stood adjourned until Wednesday, April 8, with plans to reconvene on Monday, April 13 at the call of the Speaker.
The action recorded in the transcript is the passage of A.10850 to extend appropriations and maintain state operations through April 14; no final full budget or spending targets were adopted during the session.
