Legislators are back in their home districts today forcing government to run from extender bill to extender bill as the state budget is more than three weeks late. There are major arguments over education spending, property tax relief and open committee meetings. Our Erin Billups takes a closer look at all that's stalling the budget.
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ALBANY, N.Y. -- To end the fiscal year in the black, Governor Paterson has delayed billions of dollars in payments to localities. Now the state comptroller is warning big bills are piling up and without a budget in place, the state may not have enough cash to cover growing costs.
"We don't have the cushion if you will, to manage without a spending plan being in place. Each day and each week that goes by creates further complications down the road, "said Comptroller Tom DiNapoli
Twenty-one days overdue and the major sticking points remain education spending and property tax relief. Senate Democrats have drawn a line in the sand over an issue that's paramount for many suburban residents.
"I think Senate Democrats have a very simple priority, we want to make sure that any budget we pass has property tax relief," said Senate Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein.
Meanwhile, Assembly Democrats are focusing on restoring about $800 million in education cuts proposed by Governor Paterson.
"Education aide is property tax relief," claimed Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Both houses have agreed to restore the governor's cuts to the STAR property tax relief program. But Senate Democrats also want to cap property taxes on top of that and place what they're calling a circuit breaker on the process. They see it as a stimulus plan for about a million homeowners and 250,000 renters.
"Will provide very needed resources for people during tough fiscal times," Klein said.
Mayor Bloomberg and other downstate legislators argue the Senate's $1 billion proposal would shortchange the city-taking money away from education.
"Tell us where the money is and we'd certainly love to dedicate the money to a circuit breaker, to reducing property taxes in the state," Silver said.
Senate Democrats say they won't borrow money to provide property tax relief, suggesting revenue raisers like acquiring uncollected cigarette taxes or consolidating government agencies. But the governor and other Assembly members see the hard line push from Senate Democrats as an election year gimmick.