There’s progress in the Assembly. It began the budget approval process including $2.5 billion in funding for the State's aging water infrastructure.
The Senate began its voting process on Tuesday. It hadn’t held session as of this article draft at 5:30, Wednesday night.
But, education aid still remains unknown. Districts continue to wait and see what kind of state funding they will receive. We're told that will be included in the Revenue Bill which is typically the last measure voted on in this budget process.
In fact, many of the more high profile items like juvenile justice reform, haven't been voted on just yet.That remains a sticking point because there's debate over who would supervise the juveniles: the Office of Children and Family Services or corrections officers.
“From ride hailing, to education, which is very important. I know many school districts will be going to their voters for a vote. So, we need to know, and they need to know what those budgetary numbers are going to be,” said Assemblyman Michael Kearns (D--South Buffalo.)
We also learned funding for the W.N.Y. Children's Psychiatric Center in West Seneca has been left out of the budget. So, there's uncertainty moving forward over whether it will stay open. Governor Cuomo proposed to merge it with one in Buffalo. Kearns said he plans to fight to keep it open.
