The New York State Legislature yesterday began passing a $254 billion budget that was due April 1 and will increase state spending by $12.3 billion. Michael Gormley reports in NEWSDAY that the protracted, closed-door negotiations between Gov. Kathy Hochul and leaders of the Democratic majorities of the Senate and Assembly increased the spending plan by $2.3 billion from the budget Hochul proposed in January."Working with our partners in the legislature we’ve reached an agreement to pass a balanced, fiscally responsible budget," Hochul told reporters. "Good things take time and this budget is going to make a real difference for New York families."Budget bills expected to be voted on later this week include Hochul’s plan to provide tax rebate checks of $400 to families filing joint tax returns and $200 for taxpayers filing singly. The checks are part of an "affordability agenda" that will include an expanded child tax credit and free breakfast and lunch for all students regardless of family income.Other key budget measures include significant funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, alongside provisions affecting legislators' outside income and campaign contributions.The budget process faced criticism for its lack of transparency and rushed timeline, with Republicans and some Democrats expressing concerns about insufficient review time and the absence of a comprehensive financial plan. Governor Hochul issued "messages of necessity" to pass the month-late budget. That suspends the state constitutional requirement of three days for public review of bills before they can be voted on. The provision allowing messages of necessity was created to deal with emergencies.The governor and legislators on both sides of the aisle say the budget may have to be reopened in the fall during a special session if threatened cuts of billions in federal aid are approved by the Republican-controlled Congress and President Donald Trump. The state leaders also say a potential recession could necessitate reopening the spending plan.***A New York State appellate court has upheld a 2023 law moving most local elections to even-numbered years. The unanimous ruling, issued yesterday by a five-judge panel in Rochester, also held that the law will take effect for the 2025 local election cycle. Denise Civiletti reports on Riverheadlocal.com that the decision reverses an October 2024 ruling by a lower court in Onondaga County, which had found the law unconstitutional. The appellate judges determined that the law does not violate the New York State Constitution. The law, enacted in December 2023, changes election schedules for many county, town, and village offices. Beginning this year, these local contests will coincide with state and federal elections, which are held in even-numbered years. As a result, most local officials elected in 2025 will serve terms shortened by one year, to align them with the new schedule. Supporters say the change will increase voter participation. Turnout is typically much higher in even-numbered years, when races for president, Congress, and the state legislature are on the ballot. The bill passed both chambers of the NYS Legislature in June 2023 along party lines, with Republicans strongly opposed The New York State Association of Counties similarly opposed the law, warning that local governance would lose visibility.***The Riverhead Board of Education this week adopted a revised Code of Conduct with new district-wide policies that prohibit gang-related activities, emphasize punishments for “offensive” behavior, and create the procedure for using metal detectors on students. Alek Lewis reports on Riverheadlocal.com that the most notable change to the code was new language prohibiting “gang-related” clothing and activity for students and school personnel. The revised code states that individuals are...

NYS Legislature begins passing $254 billion budget