After Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she struck a “conceptual” agreement on a $237 billion spending package on Monday, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie appeared to back her up.
However, fellow Democrats in the state Legislature on Tuesday had various questions because they still had yet to discuss final details tied to big-ticket items like housing and health care.
What You Need To Know
- Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said a majority of city renters will be covered under a provision that strengthens tenant protections. But municipalities outside of the five boroughs will likely have to opt into the program
- Heastie also appeared to defend Hochul, backing up her claim that there’s almost a deal in place
- The legislature has until Thursday before they need to extend the deadline — again
Most lawmakers found out about a so-called deal with the governor as they were debating bills on their respective chambers’ floors.
Some said they disagree with Hochul’s trigger-finger approach, but others argue things are close to the end.
“I don’t think we were closed as they say today when we walked into the session, which is why I am still so interested in what the governor is going to announce in about three minutes,” said state Sen. Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, on the chamber floor Monday afternoon, before the governor’s budget announcement.
Other lawmakers shared their reactions.
“I think it was clear from the absence of the leaders of both houses that we are not yet finished,” said state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat.
“I do think it was too early because a lot of things are outstanding, even the pieces of housing, which we had mostly resolved. [There’s] still pieces left to be resolved,” added state Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, a Manhattan Democrat.
But state Sen. Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, the sponsor of the “Good Cause Eviction” legislation, was more charitable.
“I think it’s just a signal to New Yorkers that we’re still working on this. We understand the urgency, so I’m not, like, offended by it,” she said.
The state Assembly’s top Democrat, Speaker Carl Heastie, agreed, conceding that certain issues need to be worked out.
“I think it would be north of 90% in the city and outside of the city would have the ability to make changes to portfolio size,” Heastie told reporters in the state Capitol Building.
Revealing key details, Heastie said a majority of city renters will be covered under a provision that strengthens tenant protections. But municipalities outside of the five boroughs will likely have to opt into the program.
“What we’re doing is going to add to the housing stock. The most recent information that I’ve seen: the fact that New York City’s vacancy rate is at 1.4% should be scaring the crap out of all of us,” he added.
Heastie also appeared to defend Hochul, backing up her claim that there’s almost a deal in place.
“The pencils weren’t fully down, but I would say conceptually probably were close on a lot of things,” he noted.
In an exclusive Spectrum News interview Tuesday, the governor explained a deal could come sooner.
“They’re actually printing the bills right now. This is good. This is how it’s always been done, nothing unusual, nothing to see here,” she said.
But there are open issues — like mayoral control of New York City schools.
“I feel like it is being imposed upon us in return for things and she’s doing a really important favor for the mayor here,” said state Sen. Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, a critic of mayoral accountability under Mayor Eric Adams.
The legislature has until Thursday before they need to extend the deadline — again.
“I’m really only hoping to be here until tomorrow, which is the last shaded box for this week, but I understand it might take us a few extra days and hopefully it won’t be past this week,” she added.