ALBANY, N.Y. (WBEN) There is some optimism that a deal can be reached on a new state budget in Albany later Monday, with the full budget to be passed over the next couple of days. But the real story is Albany dysfunction according to State Senator George Borrello, R-Chautauqua County, who was a guest on WBEN Monday morning.
"Think about it. One party, the Democratic Party, controls every level of government in New York State and they can't get a budget done on time. It's because the inmates are running the asylum. A small group of radicals are controlling the agenda. Moderate Democrats are ducking for cover, and so is the governor," he said.
One of the biggest issues holding up the budget is bail reform. In 2019, criminal justice reforms ended cash bail for most crimes. Governor Kathy Hochul wants to make some gun related crimes eligible for bail once again.
"What she has proposed, is just a tweak to bail reform," said Borrello. "We need a clear repeal of this disastrous law."
Borrello cited a spike in every category of crime. "Our streets are becoming more and more violent. People are being released on their own recognizance multiple times and committing new crimes."
Governor Hochul responded with a 10 point plan that, Borrello said, upset leaders of the Democratic party. "Make no mistake. The leaders of the Senate and Assembly,(Democrats), have said this is a non starter for them. They don't want to make any changes."
When Hochul took office in August, she promised a new era of transparency. But the process looks as secretive as ever right now. "This is the behind closed doors, three men in a room process. And it is probably worse than ever, right now," added Borrello, who said we are seeing the consequences of one party rule in New York State.
"It doesn't matter if you're a Republican, a Democrat, or non-affiliated, look at the dysfunction that is going on right now. We need to restore balance in state government," said Borrello.
Gas Tax relief
New Yorkers pay about 66 cents on a gallon of gas. That's federal, state and local taxes, the ninth-highest statewide. State gas taxes alone are 48 cents a gallon.
When might New Yorkers see a little relief at the gas pump? "We should be repealing all 48 cents until the situation is under control," said Borrello. "But proposals in the current budget call for a reduction of between 7 and 17 cents. The state needs to have skin in the game on the pain at the pump that people are feeling. That means repealing the full state gas tax. New York should suffer the loss of that revenue until we get a better, more responsible, energy policy." he added.
State payroll in peril
Without a budget in place, paychecks for thousands of state employees may be in jeopardy. 62,000 state employees are due to be paid on Wednesday. There's talk of the Senate and Assembly passing a short term spending measure to meet a 4pm deadline Monday in order to process payroll.
"There are so many people that will suffer if they don't get paid. There should be some kind of stop gap measure," said Borrello. "But the reality is that we need a full budget. We can't do what they do at the federal level and kick the can down the road. It only enables bad policy to continue."
