It was the latest New York state budget since 2010, and there was some audible griping among lawmakers who didn’t like how long it took, or that the governor used up so much "legislative time" for her own priorities. 

While lawmakers gripe about the budget process every year because of the latitude it gives to the executive, this seemed more than just temporary crankiness. But state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie threw cold water on the idea of a constitutional amendment to correct what he views as an unequal process.

“Although I do believe the constitution should be changed personally…it would be a huge endeavor to undertake because it would be a campaign (between) the Legislature and the governor,” he said, noting it would be like inviting voters to watch and weigh in on a family fight.

Heastie added that he would continue pushing a bill that he floated earlier this year that would ensure lawmakers get paid if the April 1 budget deadline is missed and if the governor includes policy in the spending plan.

“I think I will [continue to push it],” he said. 

That said, Heastie views the budget outcome positively, saying it checked a lot of boxes, including paying off unemployment insurance debt, increasing funding for education, providing free meals for students and cutting middle class taxes.

“As I said, I didn’t like the process, but the end product, I think, was probably one of the best budgets in my 25 years here," he said.

One of the more controversial elements in the budget are changes to substantial equivalency requirements for religious schools. 

In a statement, a spokesman for the state Department of Education called the changes “politically motivated” and “a clear and deliberate retreat from educational responsibility.”

Speaker Heastie took issue with that criticism.

“I believe [state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa] cares deeply for the kids in the state of New York, but I just think sometimes she’s a little more dramatic on certain things than necessarily needs to be done,” he said. “(Also) I don’t like them using the terminology of it being ‘political’. That’s not in their jurisdiction to decide.” 

Capital Tonight reached out to the state Education Department for comment. Spokesman J.P. O’Hare responded with this emailed statement:

“We thank Speaker Heastie for recognizing Commissioner Rosa’s unwavering commitment to the children of New York State. Her dedication is rooted in the belief that all means all—every child, in every community. This work is her passion, and her resolve to serve and uplift every student is both steadfast and unshakable.”

While the legislative session had been scheduled to end on June 12, the Assembly has added several session days; its new calendar will end on June 17.

The Senate will not be extending its session calendar.