New York state budget talks collapsed Wednesday night after members of the Senate left the Capitol, with lawmakers from both parties blaming Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo for scuttling negotiations over the spending plan, now several days late.
Members of the Senate and Assembly insist they were close to an agreement and hoped to pass a budget this week after blowing past a Saturday deadline. Those hopes eroded Wednesday night after Cuomo summoned reporters to his office to say that while he would continue to negotiate, there were still significant disputes when it came to key budget priorities.
“What is happening right now is ridiculous,” said Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers. “Dysfunction and chaos has descended on Albany. This situation has spiraled out of control and New Yorkers deserve better.”
