Governor Hochul announces 'conceptual' budget agreement
ALBANY, NY (WRGB) — After 27 days, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a "conceptional agreement" for a passed budget totaling $229 billion.
With bail reform, she announced that judges will have more discretion, with the least restrictive means standard removed. She also announced $40 million to retain staff and pay increases for public defenders.
She also announced $1 billion for mental health programs, $500 million for health care, as well as $100 million for reproductive health.
For education, $34.5 billion was allotted, what Gov. Hochul calls the largest investment in state history. She also called for an increase in the allowed number of charter schools in the state.
Five extenders were passed in order for the state government to continue operating without a budget in place, which includes paying state workers who aren't lawmakers.
The biggest issue has been proposed changes to bail laws. The governor wants to clarify the judge's discretion. At first, the Senate and Assembly didn't want to make any changes.
The budget was originally due April 1.
