New York State lawmakers appear to be ahead of where they normally are each year in the budget making process. The fiscal year begins April 1, and if New York’s budget passes before then, it will be the first time New York has passed a budget on time since 1984.
According to State Assemblyman Jack McEneny, committee meetings were held on some budget matters in January that are normally not held until late February or March. McEneny also told The Associated Press that, as opposed to normal yearly procedure, lawmakers are not being advised to look into loans while their paychecks are withheld after the April 1 deadline until a budget passes; “There is something in the air that says this is real.”
Senate Republican Majority Leader Joseph Bruno also feels that the budget will pass on time. He told The Associated Press “I think we’re on a track and if I were a betting guy, I’d bet we’d get it done by April first. I’d give 2-to-1 [odds] that we’ll get it done.”
