DAYS THE BUDGET IS LATE: 37
WHEELIN’ AND DEALIN’: Governor Kathy Hochul announced this morning that a budget agreement had been reached. However, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie quickly countered, stating that no final deal had been made.
The scenario is a familiar one in Albany, where the governor seeks to highlight progress after a lengthy deadlock, while the Assembly Speaker emphasizes that nothing is truly settled.
Yet, this year brings a new dynamic.
Heastie appeared more frustrated than in previous years as he informed reporters that the Legislature had not yet approved a budget agreement, contradicting the governor’s earlier remarks.
“There’s no budget deal,” said the Bronx Democrat. “There’s no deal. Last night, I told her I was comfortable saying we’re close. It’s close.”
Heastie has decided to halt discussions on policy issues with Democratic lawmakers until the budget’s financial details are fully understood, indicating a potential rift with the governor, whom he sees as an ally.
“We’ve signed off on nothing major,” he said. “This is what’s wrong with this process.”
Earlier, Hochul spoke in the Red Room about the “general agreement” reached, a term reminiscent of previous budget negotiations.
She outlined several broadly agreed-upon measures: protections for undocumented immigrants, changes to expedite environmental reviews for home building, and a set of car insurance laws aimed at reducing premiums.
The specifics of the budget hold significant importance not only for the 19 million New Yorkers it affects but also for the numerous advocates, lobbyists, staffers, and lawmakers who have been engaged in detailed discussions for months. The unresolved issues are crucial.
The pied-à-terre tax on expensive second homes?
“We are working to come up with the right way to calculate,” Hochul said. “What you have is a rather bizarre property tax system in New York City right now.”
Adjustments to the Tier 6 pension, potentially costing $1.5 billion?
“We’ll release those numbers as soon as it’s absolutely done, but it won’t be the scale that was out there in the news,” she said.
Why discuss the budget now with so much undecided?
“All these financial details — as we’ve done in the past — we talk about initially the policy agreements, and this is a policy agreement we’ve accomplished, working tirelessly with the two leaders I have such respect for, Carl Heastie and Andrea Stewart-Cousins,” Hochul noted.
It is evident that Hochul’s strategy involves celebrating policy victories while leaving financial details open-ended in the latter stages of the budget process.
Most voters are likely not following the intricate details of Albany’s process but care about the outcomes. As she seeks reelection, Hochul can present achievements such as a school cellphone ban to voters.
However, while the governor seems to rely on voters being indifferent to late budgets, Republicans are keen to label the situation as “dysfunction” in Albany.
“We’ve gone so far away from having responsible leadership in this state and caring about what it means to have a budget on time,” Republican Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra said. “It’s May 7 — the latest budget in my time in the Legislature — and she’s out here announcing a deal that doesn’t actually exist.” — Nick Reisman
From the Capitol
WONKS WEIGH IN: While details on the state’s spending plan remain sparse, some experts find positive aspects in what has been disclosed.
The Citizens Budget Commission, known for its fiscal scrutiny, commended policy changes like modifications to the State Environmental Quality Review Act to encourage home building and adjustments to car insurance laws.
However, the group has expressed concerns as the final figures remain unclear. The $268 billion spending total might increase as discussions continue.
“What we do know is that the budget is bigger, but not likely better for fiscal stability compared to the governor’s proposal,” the group stated. — Nick Reisman
FROM CITY HALL
ICE CLASH: Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces increasing pressure from progressive leaders to establish stricter guidelines for NYPD interactions with federal immigration authorities, signaling a growing divide between the mayor and his supporters, reports Chris Sommerfeldt.
The issue gained attention on Saturday when police officers blocked protesters approaching U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who were transferring a detainee from a Brooklyn hospital. A viral video of the incident led to accusations that Mamdani’s NYPD had coordinated with ICE, allegedly violating local sanctuary laws. The mayor denies these allegations.
Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and four other Democrats who endorsed Mamdani’s 2025 campaign sent a letter expressing their belief that the NYPD “coordinated on the ground with ICE agents” at the hospital. They urged him to revise NYPD policies promptly.
“Officers arriving at a scene where federal agents are already operating cannot be left to improvise. They need a bright-line rule, communicated up and down the chain of command, that informs them when to disengage, when to step back, when to refuse a request for assistance, and how to document what they observed,” they wrote in a letter obtained by POLITICO. “The absence of such a standard, or the failure to enforce one, is how we ended up with NYPD officers visibly working alongside ICE outside a hospital.”
They urged Mamdani to issue new rules within 30 days clearly defining how NYPD officers should interact with ICE agents. The proposed rules should specify when officers should disengage or refuse assistance to ICE to ensure they do not aid in civil immigration enforcement.
Among the letter’s signatories was state Sen. Julia Salazar, one of Mamdani’s early supporters in his 2025 mayoral campaign and a fellow democratic socialist.
The decision by Mamdani’s supporters to address him so directly highlights growing frustration within his base regarding his approach to public safety and perceived shift towards the political center since taking office.
Read more from Chris in POLITICO Pro.
SECOND TRY: Council Speaker Julie Menin is advancing a contentious bill to increase pay for home health workers, a measure connected to her leadership bid last year.
Previously reported by POLITICO, Menin is collaborating with Council Member Chris Marte on a proposal to eliminate 24-hour shifts for home health aides paid for only 13 hours. Their partnership began after Marte withdrew from the speakership race, supporting Menin instead.
This initiative places the speaker in a challenging political position. A previous version faced opposition from significant labor unions, the mayor, and Hochul, citing concerns about costs, patient safety, and worker flexibility.
Menin, aiming to reduce opposition, prepared a revised version for a vote last night. The updated bill exempts workers under collective bargaining agreements, delays implementation for a year, and allows workers to opt into longer shifts until the fall of 2027.
“As part of the ongoing legislative process, the Council has updated the bill after many conversations with stakeholders,” said Council spokesperson Benjamin Fang. “We look forward to phasing out the 24-hour workday, an outdated practice that places workers under extreme physical and emotional strain.”
Despite changes, the revised bill has not alleviated much of the opposition that blocked its initial passage. A source familiar with negotiations stated the modified version sparked backlash. The legislation still involves state costs, a point of contention for Hochul previously. Critics have reiterated their opposition, creating uncertainty about the bill’s future if Menin attempts to proceed with a vote.
“This bill still leaves people with disabilities without care, creates legal conflicts with State Medicaid rules, lacks the funding necessary to keep from endangering the lives of people with disabilities, and risks destabilizing access to critical care for thousands of New Yorkers,” a Legal Aid Society spokesperson commented. “We can and must pursue reforms that protect home care workers from exploitation without jeopardizing the health, independence, and dignity of the people who depend on these services every day.” — Joe Anuta
IN OTHER NEWS
— QUOTE CONTROVERSY: A recent TV ad for Anthony Constantino’s congressional campaign featured a fabricated quote attributed to the Times Union. The questionable claim? “Constantino is now guaranteed to be a major entity in Congress.” (Times Union)
— STUDENT EXODUS: Enrollment in New York City’s public schools could drop by as many as 153,000 students over the next decade. Declining birth rates and an increase in charter schools are contributing to this trend. (The New York Times)
— ICE UPHEAVAL: A Nigerian immigrant is suing ICE following his arrest, which sparked chaotic protests in Brooklyn. Chidozie Wilson Okeke’s lawsuit claims he was “unlawfully, brutally and violently detained.” (Gothamist)
Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
