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Senate approves seventh budget extender to keep state government funded through April 30; lawmakers say final budget unresolved
Summary
The New York State Senate approved a budget extender that funds government operations through April 30. Sponsor Senator Serrano said the extender totals about $15.2 billion, including $2.5 billion in new spending; senators pressed for clarity on outstanding policy disputes that remain unresolved.
The New York State Senate on April 27 approved a budget extender intended to keep state government operating through April 30 while lawmakers continue negotiating a final budget.
Sponsor Senator Serrano told the chamber the extender covers roughly $15.2 billion in spending, including about $2.5 billion in newly authorized items, and funds payroll and a range of programs he named, including Department of Health/Medicaid accounts, Supplemental Nutrition benefits, Department of Labor unemployment payments, Office for People With Disabilities services, and veterans and homelessness services. "This extender is just to keep the state government running for the next few days," Serrano said.
Senator Romero and other members pressed Serrano for details about outstanding policy items still unresolved in conference negotiations. Romero noted the state is beyond its scheduled budget date and asked whether proposals discussed publicly—such as possible tax changes for New York City and auto-insurance reforms—have been settled. Serrano repeatedly described the floor item as a "clean" extender that does not resolve policy disputes and said leaders were "moving in the right direction" but had no final language to share.
Senator O'Mara pressed specifically on auto-insurance reforms and whether the governor has backed away from changes to joint-and-several liability, a reform O'Mara said was expected to yield savings to municipalities and the MTA. Serrano said he had no new update on that negotiation and cautioned against speculation without finalized language.
Several senators emphasized transparency and public engagement during the budget process. "The citizens of New York deserve clarity," one senator said, urging leaders to provide the public with information on outstanding items and on how negotiations are progressing. Serrano said leaders had been "open and transparent" in briefings and press engagements but that some specifics remained unresolved.
The chamber restored the extender to the non-controversial calendar and recorded the passage for the journal. The vote keeps funding through April 30; senators and negotiators signaled further work would continue in conference and leadership talks before a final omnibus budget is adopted.
