Senator O'Mara presses for urgency as Senate approves roughly $4 billion budget extender

The New York State Senate on Monday approved a short-term budget extender, Senate Print 9818, that the sponsor said would carry state funding through the following Tuesday and involves roughly $4 billion in appropriations.

Senator O'Mara rose on the floor to question sponsor Senator Gianaris about the measure and the state of overall budget negotiations. "How much is the total spending or appropriations in this bill?" O'Mara asked; Gianaris replied, "Approximately $4 billion," and confirmed the extender would carry funding "until next Tuesday." Gianaris also told the chamber that none of the remaining open budget bills were "locked down" and that no table targets had been assigned.

O'Mara used his floor time to press for greater urgency. "The concern continues from this side of the aisle of the lack of any urgency to get this budget done," he said, arguing New Yorkers deserved clarity as the state's total budget now exceeded $260 billion and was "probably closer to $270 billion." He said he would support the extender but urged leaders to "get down to business" and finalize outstanding bills.

After the exchange the Senate agreed to restore the extender to the non-controversial calendar by consent, read the last section and called the roll; the Secretary announced the result as "Ayes 53," and the bill was recorded as passed.

The passage keeps state appropriations in place for another week while lawmakers continue negotiations on outstanding budget bills. The Senate adjourned until Monday, April 13, when legislative business will resume.