Budget talks dragged out almost three weeks past the April 1 deadline, leading some to wonder whether Gov.
Kathy Hochul, a Democrat in her first full term, had lost control of the process.
But by the time the budget was officially passed by the Legislature on Saturday, it was clear that Ms. Hochul had achieved her goal: a final $237 billion budget that included a checklist of her priorities.
They included new resources to fight retail crime, a statewide artificial intelligence consortium, and a landmark housing deal aimed at bolstering residential construction — all without raising taxes on the wealthy.
After Ms. Hochul announced on Monday that leaders had reached agreement on a budget framework, she continued to negotiate over the next few days, most notably persuading state lawmakers to use the budget to extend mayoral control of New York City schools for two more years.
It also includes a substantial new tax break for developers, expanded tenant protections and new enforcement powers for localities to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops.
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When April 1 draws near, the New York State Capitol’s hallways and backrooms are usually a tense and chaotic scene as the governor, legislators, and staff rush to pass a state budget that serves as both a blueprint for policy and a spending plan by the deadline.
The current year was distinct.
The deadline for the budget talks was April 1, but discussions continued for nearly three weeks, raising questions about Gov. It had become out of control for Democrat Kathy Hochul, who was serving her first full term.
But it was evident that Ms. Hochul had succeeded in her mission when the final $237 billion budget, which included a prioritized list, was formally approved by the Legislature on Saturday. In addition to not raising taxes on the wealthy, they included a historic housing agreement meant to support residential construction, new resources to combat retail crime, and a statewide artificial intelligence consortium.
The lessons the governor has learned in reaching the three budget agreements since taking office in 2021—that a governor can lead while upholding the spirit of collaboration and that a good deal is better than a quick one—seem to be reflected in her long-term strategy.
Ms. Hochul persuaded state legislators to use the budget to extend mayoral control of New York City schools for an additional two years after announcing on Monday that leaders had reached an agreement on a budget framework.
Funding for migrant services in New York City totals $2.04 billion in the final budget, which is a $0.5 billion increase over the amount allocated the previous year and should support case management, medical costs, and legal services. It also comes with increased tenant protections, a sizable new tax break for developers, and additional enforcement authority for local governments to target unlicensed cannabis stores.
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