New York State SmartTranscripts:

[Gary Pretlow]: Madam speaker, would you please call the house back to order?

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: The house will come to order.

[Charles D. Fall]: Madam members have on their desk an a calendar. Madam speaker, I now move to advance the a.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: On a motion by mister Fall, the a calendar is advanced. Page three, rules report 94. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk, New York State Assembly]: Assembly number one one zero zero zero, rules report 94, mister Pretlow, enact making appropriations for the support of government.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: Governor's message is at the desk. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk, New York State Assembly]: I hereby certify to an immediate vote Kathy Hochul, governor.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: An explanation has been requested. Mister Pretlow.

[Gary Pretlow]: Absolutely, madam speaker. As we move along toward a final budget solution, we're going to continue to enact appropriations. This current appropriation before us will ensure funding for state operations and other programs through April 20. The bill includes funding for additional emergency payroll, unemployment insurance, public health programs, MTA support, OPWDD and veterans programs and general state charges.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: Mr. Palmisano.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Yes, thank you. Madam Speaker, will the chairman yield for some questions?

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: Will the chair yield?

[Gary Pretlow]: Yes, I will. Chair yields.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Thank you, Mr. Pryto. A few quick questions and I'll get into some others. First, and good morning of course. How much does this total amount now that we would have expended in the three extensions?

[Gary Pretlow]: The total appropriations to date is $7,500,000,000.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Okay. And this increase above the previous extender is how much?

[Gary Pretlow]: Over previous extended $79,100,000. So,

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: on Monday we'll have another extended that we'll have to do. What payroll and other expenses, state expenses will that account for if we're taking up a fifth budget extender?

[Gary Pretlow]: The April 20 will ensure payment of the administrative payroll, the administration payroll.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Okay. Just now if I could, I do have some other questions but before I do that, just want to kind of get your perspective a little bit on where we're at. Monday we passed the extender. Since then we've seen some bantering between our colleagues on the other side and the governor. One saying the governor's not negotiating, the other the governor's saying they're not telling the truth. And then you see some reports there might be some progress. And I kind of want to just maybe with a little fun, I'll get back to our baseball discussion the other day about the innings. I mean the Yankees won last night in the bottom of the ninth, which was a good thing. I know when we were talking the other day about, just to put it in perspective, where you see we are based from Monday. Have we moved up in the innings? Are we in the release now still

[Gary Pretlow]: or over? Mr. Paloszabha, I remember how you asked me this question last week and I thought long and hard over it. We have nine budget bills to pass, nine real bills. If you consider each of these budget bills an inning, I would say that we're in batting practice pregame.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: That's I love your sense of humor, but it's also a little scary. But because I know I was joking around saying we're next are we next innings? But in extra innings, you're right at that. Anyone can win in that inning. So, it doesn't seem like we're even close to that even.

[Gary Pretlow]: Like I say, we're in we're in some people are getting the hot dogs in the parking lot

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: now. So So, we have some work to do. Okay.

[Gary Pretlow]: Fair enough. Absolutely.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: So, on that note, you know, a day before tax day, the governor seemed to concede on a proposed new tax in New York and all this idea is really not new and has been proposed before. The proposal is a change from the governor's no tax increase in the budget. Do we believe introducing new policy in that stage of the budget process allows for proper review? And have we seen any has there been any language exchange on the actual language that we're looking to adopt?

[Gary Pretlow]: At this point, that's just under discussion. There's no official language.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: No language? No. And since it's under discussion, I mean has there really been any analysis? I mean obviously this has been a walk around for a while. Attacks like this, what kind of impact this could have on future investment in New York City real estate, particularly at the high end?

[Gary Pretlow]: I think people will continue to buy high end properties in New York State, especially on Long Island and Manhattan.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Okay. Even if capital is mobile, you don't think there is any risk that investors will simply choose other markets? And how does this affect our long term property values and tax base growth?

[Gary Pretlow]: Much is said about the flight of rich people and they are selling their multimillion dollar homes. But oddly enough, someone always buys one. So they are replaced by another billionaire. So I don't think that that's your concern.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Okay. On that note, know this seems like, is this proposal really address the root cause of New York City's budget gap or is it simply just another way to add additional revenue to help close it?

[Gary Pretlow]: This is not addressing New York City's budget gap. This is just trying come to an idea or a path for the state budget.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Okay. And along with that, are there going be any structural changes that would accompany a proposal like this to assure long term fiscal stability with the proposal like this?

[Gary Pretlow]: No, that's not being discussed right now.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Okay, fair enough. Another point I'd like to hop over to, I said earlier also we saw some comments that the governor seems now to be blaming the current budget standstill, at least in part when it comes to the climate discussions on a lawsuit from climate activists related to the state's climate law and cap and invest. Has the governor provided any legislative language outlining the proposed changes to the climate law that she's talking about? Have you guys seen any language in what we're talking about?

[Gary Pretlow]: I have not seen language sir.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Okay. So, I guess I will when we do see language, I would say it'll be shared with us, I would expect.

[Gary Pretlow]: Yes.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: And hopefully, I know when we talked the other day, I'll I'll bring this up again because you know, our school districts are looking for school votes soon and don't have that certainty yet on the climate issue. And we I brought up in the EB school bus mandate. You seem to indicate that could be part of the discussions.

[Gary Pretlow]: Do you

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: think the EB school bus

[Gary Pretlow]: I think they'll have to be part of the discussion because the availability of electric school buses to date is really slim and I don't think that we can find 7,000 battery powered school buses in the timeframe allotted by the law that we passed earlier.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: I agree. So is it something that maybe you are at liberty to say that the majority is pushing for an official delay and not just a waiver process, let's delay the electric school bus main I first in this

[Gary Pretlow]: am not going to speak for the entire, my side of the aisle, but I'll say that is something that's under discussion.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: All right, that's fair enough. And you think with comments from the governor, do you think the real issue, the opposition from the activists, Is it really the opposition from the action? Is it about the challenge of meeting the aggressive emission targets on the timeline set in law? Do you think that's the timeline? Is the timeline feasible? Are the targets feasible? Is that why we should be looking to move the some move the needle a little bit as I'm delaying this and postponing it?

[Gary Pretlow]: Well, the the you know, this is really being driven by a lawsuit as I know you're aware. Right. It's not based not really the the advocates we have to abide by by by the lawsuit. Discussions are happening as we speak. If you read today's Times, several states are scaling back on the aggressive laws that we have written for climate change, not that climate change isn't important and not that clean water isn't important, but because of actions on the federal level and the subsidies that were formally being provided in wind and solar with making and battery storage is making those a little less likely to happen on time.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Sure. And certainly, obviously, the memo that came out from the administration, NYSERDA is saying the cost with implementing the policies is part of that issue and discussion too. We don't have to get into the nuts and bolts I of that right don't really need to necessarily do that. So really then, the targets and the timeline, I know what you're talking about from the federal perspective and concerns rate. But, the concern we keep hearing from the business community and others out there, the targets are not feasible, the timeline is not feasible, the grid's not ready for it from a feasibility perspective. That's all being part of this discussion and should be part of this discussion. Don't you agree?

[Gary Pretlow]: Yes.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Alright. Thank you mister chairman for your time again. I appreciate it. I look forward to speaking to you next week. Madam speaker, on the bill.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: On the bill.

[Joseph M. Palmesano]: Madam speaker, my colleagues, what did Yogi Beer say? It's deja vu all over again. We see ground holiday, you know, you're gonna see the shadows over and over again like a dog chasing his tail. This is our fourth budget extender since April 1. Four budget extenders, one budget bill. As the chairman said, we have nine more budget bills to pass. Obviously, joked around a little bit about what inning we're in, but there really is kind of some uncertainty. We have a long ways to go in this process. And I just think at this point, the only emergency really seems to me is that this body really can't do this basic job of passing a budget. Maybe it'll stop softening the language a little bit. This isn't a delay. This is a complication. This is not a complication. This is really a failure. It's a failure of the process. It's a failure of transparency. And yes, it's a failure of leadership. I will remind my colleagues our school districts back home are preparing their school budgets right now and they don't know how much aid they're going to receive from us to put that before their voters. That's not fair. That's not transparent. That's not right. We can do a better job on that front. It seems that at the same time we see this little bit of public infighting between our colleagues down the hall saying the governor's not negotiating, the governor calling them saying they're lying. It makes for big good headlines, but it doesn't make for good government. Let's be clear, this isn't divided government. This is one party control. One party control is controlling this budget process. And when the party when the process is controlled by one party, there really shouldn't be a stalemate. This seems to be it should be the exception, but it seems to be the norm. And then this week, again, know, the week of tax day, a brand new tax was introduced after the executive budget, after the amendments, after the budget hearings, after the one house budgets, it really to me sometimes seems to raise a fundamental question, what is the purpose of the process? Why present an executive budget that is a roadmap that can be rewritten at the last minute? Why do we hold public budget hearings of major new proposals can be introduced after the fact and then asking members not giving members time to analyze and engage on it? That's really not how transparency is supposed to work, my colleagues. This is not how good policy is made. Last minute proposals do have real consequences. It really denies the public of some meaningful opportunity to weigh in. It prevents a thorough fiscal and policy analysis. Limits input and shuts others out of the legislative process. It appears that we almost are just like a rubber stamp with a delay button and that's not working. It's no longer about policy differences or tough negotiation. I mean New York State is not a small state. It's not an inexperienced government. Every time we pass one of these extenders, we become complicit in lowering the standard of this institution and the expectations of the public. And what we're really saying here is not acceptable and what we're saying this is the best the legislature can do. It's not. And so yes we're going to pass this extender today, but really let's call it what it is. It's not a solution. It's not progress. Just another Albany budget failure. And again, as Yogi Berra said, this is like deja vu all over again. Let's get to work. The New Yorkers we represent back home deserve better. So hopefully, I know we're probably doing another budget extender, let's get to work and get this done for the people we represent. So again, I will be voting yes on this extender, but we have a long way to go and we owe it to the people we represent to do the right thing by them. Thank you.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: Read the last section.

[Reading Clerk, New York State Assembly]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk, New York State Assembly]: Ayes, one thirty. Nays, zero.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: The bill is passed. Mister Fall.

[Charles D. Fall]: Madam speaker, do we have further housekeeping or resolutions?

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: We do have a few pieces of housekeeping on behalf of mister Havassey, bill number a five eight nine three, assembly bill recalled from senate. Clerk will read the title of the bill.

[Reading Clerk, New York State Assembly]: An act to amend the social services law.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: Motion to reconsider the vote by which the bill passed the house. Clerk will record the vote. Clerk will announce the results.

[Reading Clerk, New York State Assembly]: Ayes, one thirty. Nose, zero.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: The bill is before the house, and the amendments are received and adopted. Behalf of miss Pollan, bill number a two four two five, assembly bill assembly bill recalled from senate. Clerk will read the title of the bill.

[Reading Clerk, New York State Assembly]: An act to amend the social services law.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: A motion to reconsider the vote by which the bill passed the house. Clerk will record the vote. Clerk will announce the results.

[Reading Clerk, New York State Assembly]: Ayes, one thirty, nos at zero.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: The bill is before the house, and the amendments are received and adopted. We have no resolutions, mister Fall.

[Charles D. Fall]: Can you call on miss Clark for an announcement?

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: Miss Clark, for the purpose of an announcement.

[Sarah Clark]: Thank you, madam speaker. I'm here to announce there'll be majority conference immediately following session in the Speaker's Conference Room. Majority conference immediately following session.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: Immediate majority conference, Speaker's Conference Room at the adjournment of session. Mister Fall.

[Charles D. Fall]: I now move that the assembly stand adjourned until Friday, April 17, tomorrow being a leg legislative day, and that we will reconvene on Monday, April 20 at the call of the speaker.

[Presiding Officer ('Madam Speaker'), New York State Assembly]: On mister Fall's motion, the house stands adjourned.